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08-20-2018, 05:47 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Goldbar, WA.
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #21854
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Norcold Fridge and Sheet Metal. Is this right?
Ok, so we're back at home base and fully moved out of the house. Vacation is done and it's time to get back to work and relax. ...wait...that's not right.
For the past six weeks we've been limping along on the Norcold 2118 that came in our new 2018 3950BR. It hasn't been cold enough and while I'm aware of (and sometimes part of) the multiple threads about issues with fridges not cooling for numerous reasons, I haven't had sufficient opportunity and means to check everything. Specifically the top vent.
Today, at long last, I did. What I'm seeing immediately concerned me. There's a piece of sheet metal blocking half of the vent area.
That can't be right, can it? The top vent is specifically intended to move heat out. Does blocking it make sense?
Here's the picture. Maybe it's trying to move the air over the fins, but I'm skeptical. Tell me if I'm way off base.
-Jeremy
__________________
2018 3950BR - MORryde X-Factor, Disc Brakes, 3rd AC, Stacked W/D, Winegard Trav'ler (DTV), 2000w inverter, EMS-HW50C
2022 Ford F-450 Limited Diesel Dually - B&W 25k Hitch
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08-21-2018, 02:13 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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That's the way it should be. The fans then blow the air up giving a good flow of air up and over the fins.
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Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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08-21-2018, 02:27 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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I had the Norcold in the 10 and a dometic in the 15. No sheet metal like you showed. Maybe different in the 18.
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Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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08-21-2018, 04:08 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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That is how it is spose to be for the fans to move air over the fin's. Don't take it out like some other people have done and find out the frig works even worse.
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Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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08-21-2018, 06:01 PM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: West Melbourne
Posts: 310
M.O.C. #18980
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You should mount one or two computer fans to suck out the hot air. Your fridge will run much more efficiently.
__________________
Butch and Kathy
2016 3160RL Legacy, Sailun S637, Centramatic Balancers, 2-T105s, Amish Refrigeration, ARPrv, SoftStartRV, FlexArmor roof
2016 F350 6.7L SRW
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08-21-2018, 06:37 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,697
M.O.C. #12947
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Attached is the page from the Norcold install manual for our 1210, and I'm pretty sure it will be similar to the 18xx model for a slide installed fridge. The baffle is needed to force the air to fully pass by the cooling fins before exiting, so do not remove it.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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08-21-2018, 07:48 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Goldbar, WA.
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #21854
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Ok, thanks folks.
I kinda freaked out because it was blocking so many of the vents in the cover.
Yeah, I know this thing wasn't installed right and I know I'm going to need to get better ventilation done. I also need to get the doors working right. /sigh.
__________________
2018 3950BR - MORryde X-Factor, Disc Brakes, 3rd AC, Stacked W/D, Winegard Trav'ler (DTV), 2000w inverter, EMS-HW50C
2022 Ford F-450 Limited Diesel Dually - B&W 25k Hitch
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08-22-2018, 06:20 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Read up on fridge baffling and make it right. The manufactures rarely get them installed correctly. Had to fix every one I have owned. As mentioned, install some extra fans, one at the bottom vent sucking air in blowing up into the coils and one at the top vent drawing air up and out. The top fan will be mounted different depending on where your fridge is installed ie. in a slide or not.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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08-22-2018, 09:28 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bierp
Ok, thanks folks.
I kinda freaked out because it was blocking so many of the vents in the cover.
Yeah, I know this thing wasn't installed right and I know I'm going to need to get better ventilation done. I also need to get the doors working right. /sigh.
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Do you hear your fans working?
__________________
Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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08-22-2018, 10:45 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Goldbar, WA.
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #21854
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenny K
Do you hear your fans working?
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I thought this was the whole problem at one point, but I did see them running...once. Most other times I don't though and I suspect there are issues there as well.
__________________
2018 3950BR - MORryde X-Factor, Disc Brakes, 3rd AC, Stacked W/D, Winegard Trav'ler (DTV), 2000w inverter, EMS-HW50C
2022 Ford F-450 Limited Diesel Dually - B&W 25k Hitch
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08-22-2018, 06:08 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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You should be hearing your fans running lots. It could be the Thermostatic Switch https://rvcoolingunit.com/Fan-Switch...-P1802601.aspx is not working properly. The switch is located on the condenser coil at the top of the fridge. Easy to replace and costs about $16.00.
The reason I know all this is because my fans were not running and this fantastic forum provided all the info required to correct this problem.
__________________
Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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08-22-2018, 06:44 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Goldbar, WA.
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #21854
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Hmm, interesting. That's a Dometic switch. Does Norcold use the same kind of thing?
__________________
2018 3950BR - MORryde X-Factor, Disc Brakes, 3rd AC, Stacked W/D, Winegard Trav'ler (DTV), 2000w inverter, EMS-HW50C
2022 Ford F-450 Limited Diesel Dually - B&W 25k Hitch
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08-22-2018, 06:46 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Goldbar, WA.
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #21854
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Answer: Yes. Same part, but under Norcold.
Thanks, I'll check into this for sure!
__________________
2018 3950BR - MORryde X-Factor, Disc Brakes, 3rd AC, Stacked W/D, Winegard Trav'ler (DTV), 2000w inverter, EMS-HW50C
2022 Ford F-450 Limited Diesel Dually - B&W 25k Hitch
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09-02-2018, 06:13 PM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Newport
Posts: 45
M.O.C. #21746
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bierp
Answer: Yes. Same part, but under Norcold.
Thanks, I'll check into this for sure!
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That switch also allows one to adjust the cooling. Could it be something as simple as moving the switch up or down the fin?
__________________
2018 Montana 3121RL, 35 feet of home away from home.
2018 Chevy 3500HD, 4WD, Double Cab, SRW, 8' bed, Summit White with stump pulling diesel.
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09-02-2018, 08:05 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Goldbar, WA.
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #21854
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyatt Earp
That switch also allows one to adjust the cooling. Could it be something as simple as moving the switch up or down the fin?
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The thermistor (inside the fridge) can be adjusted by movement on the fins, but this piece is external and is screwed directly into the fin, so it can't be moved.
I did replace mine the other day. I appeared to be getting 12v on one side and nothing on the other, which indicated to me that either the switch wasn't open or it wasn't working. Considering the heat coming from that area, I figured it was the 2nd option.
Replacing it, however, didn't do peep, which was a bummer. I haven't seen the fans kick on at all in weeks and I've really only ever seen them on once. I haven't actually checked the temperature on the fins, but this seems to be a big part of my problem.
I've ordered an infrared thermometer so I can confirm the fin temps, but in the meantime I'm open for what else to check to make these silly things kick on. I'm thinking of bypassing the thermal switch entirely just to see if the fans kick on, but I don't have a piece handy to do it yet, and, you know, it's Labor Day weekend.
__________________
2018 3950BR - MORryde X-Factor, Disc Brakes, 3rd AC, Stacked W/D, Winegard Trav'ler (DTV), 2000w inverter, EMS-HW50C
2022 Ford F-450 Limited Diesel Dually - B&W 25k Hitch
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09-02-2018, 08:38 PM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: West Melbourne
Posts: 310
M.O.C. #18980
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In addition to extra vent fans I installed an ARPRV
https://www.arprv.com
Also remember that every time you open the fridge door you must wait a LONG time for it to catch up. Install a remote thermometer to view the temp in the fridge. DONT open the door, it takes a long time to cool back down. Get this.
https://smile.amazon.com/AcuRite-009...or+thermometer
__________________
Butch and Kathy
2016 3160RL Legacy, Sailun S637, Centramatic Balancers, 2-T105s, Amish Refrigeration, ARPrv, SoftStartRV, FlexArmor roof
2016 F350 6.7L SRW
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09-02-2018, 08:52 PM
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#17
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Mustang
Posts: 1
M.O.C. #22551
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I'm also having the same problem. I picked mine up yesterday from service after them having it for a month and they said norcold said it was installed wrong. they cut the sheet metal 4" as instructed by norcold. its been plugged in over 12 hours and its only at 20/60 degrees. don't hear the fans run very often
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09-03-2018, 09:33 AM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Chico
Posts: 269
M.O.C. #14041
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This is a new unit. A competent dealer should do the trouble shooting and repair under warranty.
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09-03-2018, 10:38 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,788
M.O.C. #14547
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Since ours also has a 1210, and is working just fine to date with that baffle, haven't installed my two supplementary 120 mm fans as yet. That assembly will be installed in the next couple weeks along with a separate snap adjustable thermostatic switch ( https://www.amazon.com/SUPCO-AT021-A.../dp/B00271FKQY). I did a bench check and it works perfectly.
When you wander the 'net for computer fans - all seem to be 12VDC - make sure that you look at the CFM rating (cubic feet/minute)as well as bearing type. Too low CFM, waste of your time and dollars. Bearings if chosen wrong can be annoyingly loud and have a short life. I like these and have even replaced the converter - charger fan with a 100mm version - Arctic F12 Silent Ultra Quiet case fans (found on Amazon, Newegg, etc)
__________________
Dave W
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (Sold!)
2011 Ford 6.7 Lariat CCLB (Went to PU Heaven)
2019 F150SC XLT SE Sport,w/full tow package
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09-03-2018, 11:31 AM
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#20
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Goldbar, WA.
Posts: 168
M.O.C. #21854
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulinbaja
This is a new unit. A competent dealer should do the trouble shooting and repair under warranty.
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You’re correct, but that has some challenges for me. We live in this unit full-time. Scheduling therefore becomes a challenge.
I’m going to need some dealer work done, of course (including non-refer issues), but the more I can solve myself, the better.
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