Another ice machine bites the dust.. - Montana Owners Club

Ozz · 02-24-2013, 02:07 AM

I think this #4.
Water pump quit. It is the second water pump problem, one compressor, one control board.
My Bitterness of the poor quality is remaining after the cheap price is gone... but I don't know if any of the other brands are any better. I checked my voltage, it is 120.7 to it. I have a surge-protector strip on it too.
it is from Target, I might try Camping World..

**DQDick** · 02-24-2013, 03:22 AM

Please let me know if you ever find one that lasts. You at least have the expertise to be able to tell what's wrong with them.

DHenry · 02-24-2013, 03:51 AM

Ozz, try ice cube trays in the freezer, they hardly ever fail. :-)

Ozz · 02-24-2013, 03:58 AM

They are all built so cheap you can't believe it.
Doug, that is sound advice, but Sue likes to just scoop the ice out. (She knows I will ask her to fill the glasses :0)

**Rondo** · 02-24-2013, 05:29 AM

Ozz-- Breakdown and buy yourself a Dometic from C/W. We have not had a problem with ours at all. We had one from Target and it was gone in less than three days and that was just trying to check it out at the sticks and bricks. Took it back and got another and it lasted about halfway through our camping that summer then quit also. Went back to get another and they were all out so gave me a raincheck not heard back from them. Then we bought one from Menards and it lasted about 1/2 of the season and it want to the way side also. We watched on the C/W website when their Dometic went on sale and have had no problems since. We do carry ours inside the Monte sitting on the floor until we get set up for any amount of time and then put it on a cabinet we bought for more storage of groceries but that is all we do with it. Just put on the "Big Boy Boxers"

and spring for one from C/W. Those are covered also!

P.S. Where are you plugging it in? You should know about electricity and the plugs BUT one never knows!

Ozz · 02-24-2013, 09:07 AM

Good advice my friend. I did check the plug-in. It is heavy duty power strip with a surge protector, I checked the voltage there also.
NOTE: When we came back from hiking in the 30 MPH wind today, the darn thing started working... Still smells like burning plastic, but all of them have.. No ice yet, but making all the right noises..

Ozz · 02-24-2013, 09:12 AM

Oh, it makes one batch then quits. Still Kaput...

bncinwv · 02-24-2013, 11:05 AM

Just a matter of luck, we had two CW models where each one did not last a year. Now have an emerson and a magic chef that have been plugging along with no problems. No advice, sorry
Bingo

Ozz · 02-24-2013, 11:09 AM

Buying one from Walmart..same unit different name. Maybe the Walmarts will be closer to us than Target...

WeBeFulltime · 02-24-2013, 12:09 PM

Not bragging, but we have had an Emerson for about 14 months. Bought at Target on sale for $109. Has not missed a beat in full time use. Might quit tomorrow after my saying that!

Ozz · 02-24-2013, 12:30 PM

Dave, I am happy for you, there is nothing more frustrating than buying something and having it quit...a bunch of times. Some things we just hit the lottery with and they work as advertised.
I think the quality control for this model..at this time frame..in this area.. is lacking.
They cut so many corners making this stuff to stay competitive.
When I install an Air conditioner or furnaces, I check out everything, I take all covers off and check connections, wiring, bolts, screws. 70% of the time, I have to make repairs, or adjustments so they will work right. It is just the way it is.
Ozz

WeBeFulltime · 02-24-2013, 12:50 PM

I feel your pain. I went through 4 surround sound systems in our 2008 Montana when we bought it new. Dealer finally ask me if I would just take $300 and go buy one of my choice. Of course I took the money and ran!

captastjoe · 02-24-2013, 10:47 PM

We bought an Emerson @ Fred Meyers for $99 on sale, lasted about 3 weeks. Took it back for an exchange. The new one has lasted over 6 mo's and is plugging along just fine.(until I hit the send button on this email)

Ozz · 02-25-2013, 01:16 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by captastjoe

We bought an Emerson @ Fred Meyers for $99 on sale, lasted about 3 weeks. Took it back for an exchange. The new one has lasted over 6 mo's and is plugging along just fine.(until I hit the send button on this email)

Ha! Joe, it always happens, when we say they are doing good, they quit. Hope not, thanks for jumping in here. Stay safe out there.
Ozz

nosticks · 02-25-2013, 01:27 AM

Target's Emersons, Three years old and still going strong in everyday use at home and two years+ on our second one still working fine in the Montana. I don't think you will find any better or worse quality in the over priced CW Dometic.

Ozz · 02-25-2013, 01:37 AM

Well.... these are Target's Emersons.
My opinion is that 'something has changed' at ...whoever really makes these units. There are Identical ice machines with many different names on them, Emerson being one of the names. I would like to take one apart and see how it is made, but since all of them are a month old or less, I just returned them.
I ordered one from Walmart, probably will be the same junk, but Walmarts are closer than Targets..

nosticks · 02-25-2013, 05:06 AM

Ozz, I did take one apart to see what makes it tick. Actually it got a little noisier that normal a few weeks ago. Only on the pump cycle. They come apart fairly easy. The pump is a magnetic drive and the motor just pops off the pump enclosure. Never did find the noise, but when I snapped it back together, it was quiet again.

Agree with you on the private brand names. They probably are assembled in Wong's kitchen right next to the running shoe assembly line. Maybe I got my two assembled at his brother's house on a Tuesday. Anyhow, hope you get a good one. Warm drinks for happy hour does not a happy camper make.

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