Ceiling fan on 2020 3855BR intermittently stops - Montana Owners Club

Andy Smith · 12-08-2020, 04:29 PM

Hi everyone! First time posting here. I bought this montana 3855BR new in March and have been living in it full time since then. We've had a few issues pop up and had them fixed or fixed them ourselves. One issue I can't seem to figure out is the ceiling fan. It seemed to work perfectly fine for most of the summer but for the past few months it will turn on and run for a period of time and then just stop. Sometimes it runs for a day, sometimes a minute. It will shudder a bit as it slows down and stops. Turning it off and on again often works, as does hitting the reverse button on the wall panel, or just pushing the blade slightly. I'm thinking it's not a power issue or out wouldn't run at all. It seems to run longer on summer mode than winter mode. It doesn't seem to matter if other electronics are running or not. I'm not an electrician but I can do some basic troubleshooting if anyone has any ideas. It would be really nice to have it working to push warm air down into the room this time of year. Thanks!

-Andy

rohrmann · 12-08-2020, 06:08 PM

Welcome to the forum. I'm thinking your ceiling fan runs on 12 volts DC, and you might have low voltage to it, either due to low batteries or a loose connection somewhere. If you don't have good voltage at the fan, it likely will do what you are seeing. All this is assuming the fan isn't faulty. You might at least check the wiring connections at the fan to make sure they are solid.

Andy Smith · 12-09-2020, 06:31 AM

Thanks for the ideas! I'll try and get it down this weekend and test the voltage. I'm guessing the battery is fine because the stereo, furnace and leveling system run off it and have no issues, and they are all showing 13.7ish volts. If it's the fan, probably just easiest to replace? There are a few mobile rv repair folks around here but getting an appointment can be tough and I don't know how the warranty works for the fan.

WeBeFulltime · 12-09-2020, 07:44 AM

Montana now using 12 volt ceiling fans? I have owned 2008, 2012, and 2018 Montanas and all 3 had 110 volt ceiling fans. If you want something done about it under warranty contact your dealer. BTW, have you tightened all wire connections in the breaker panel? They are often not tightened properly at the factory.

Andy Smith · 12-09-2020, 08:44 AM

I'm not sure what the voltage the fan runs on, if anyone has a similar model, that might give some guidance. I'll check the voltage this weekend and check the breaker panel. I've gotten some things done under warranty through the dealership but it was fairly difficult. They didn't offer any on site work and since I'm living in the camper full time it's not practical to take in (plus it's a camping world in Missouri and I'm currently in southern Ohio).

DutchmenSport · 12-09-2020, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime

Montana now using 12 volt ceiling fans?...

It took me a while to figure this out also. Yes, it seems the "Montana" is using the 12v DC fan. Montana High Country is still using the 120v AC fan. And the fans have different length wind paddles.

Andy Smith · 01-04-2021, 09:15 AM

Hi, thanks for the information! I've checked the fan voltage and it's getting the right voltage from the battery and the connections are solid, fuse is good. It's working on the same circuit as the vent fans, which work fine as well. It sounds to me like the motor may have died. It doesn't have a model or manufacturer so I may be reaching out to Keystone to see about it or just replacing myself.

rohrmann · 01-04-2021, 02:04 PM

This is what Trekwood shows for fans. Some may be 120 volts, but others are 12 volts. They do show 12 volt motors only that are available. They don't always show the voltage in the description, but if you copy and paste the model number shown into your search it will come up with a better description. https://www.trekwood.com/parts-searc...23+%2F+Keyword

triplebvalp · 01-04-2021, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

It took me a while to figure this out also. Yes, it seems the "Montana" is using the 12v DC fan. Montana High Country is still using the 120v AC fan. And the fans have different length wind paddles.

DutchmenSport, Our 2020 MHC 295RL has a 12vdc ceiling fan and it exhibits the same behavior as the OP's. My dealer is replacing the fan, under warranty, the end of this month.

Mikendebbie · 01-04-2021, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeBeFulltime

Montana now using 12 volt ceiling fans? I have owned 2008, 2012, and 2018 Montanas and all 3 had 110 volt ceiling fans. If you want something done about it under warranty contact your dealer. BTW, have you tightened all wire connections in the breaker panel? They are often not tightened properly at the factory.

Dumb question - if I am going to check the connections in the breaker box, just unplug the 50 amp and it’s safe to go to work - right?

triplebvalp · 01-04-2021, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

Dumb question - if I am going to check the connections in the breaker box, just unplug the 50 amp and it’s safe to go to work - right?

Disconnect the battery (at the battery) also.

54telluride · 01-04-2021, 09:50 PM

We have a 2020 MHC 295RL. Our fan is 12v also and we had the same issue. The dealer replaced the wall unit and so far so good. Good luck.

JDDilly · 01-05-2021, 07:45 AM

Our 2020 HC has a 12 volt fan.

Josh_713 · 06-05-2021, 12:35 PM

Having the exact same problem on our 2020 3855BR.

As mentioned, flipping the switch rectifies the problem… for a minute, for an hour (no rhyme or reason to it)

Sounds like the consensus is a replacement fan??

Andy Smith · 06-07-2021, 07:00 AM

I'm hoping a new fan motor will do it, but I can't seem to get Trekwood's site to work to order the part. I've reached out to their customer service. It sure would be nice to have a working fan!

rames14 · 06-07-2021, 07:33 AM

If I’m reading correctly, your unit is only a few months old. I am always amazed that people contact Keystone first. I never hear of anyone calling Ford, GM or Chrysler when they have something go wrong. For the first year of ownership, Keystone wants you to work through your dealer. And, our extended warranty work cuts the deductible in half when we go through our dealer. Contact your dealer, describe the problem and tell them you have checked the voltage. They should send you a new one and you can send the old one back if necessary. Best of luck.

Andy Smith · 06-07-2021, 08:27 AM

Ours is over a year old, and our dealership said to bring the camper in when I initially reported that it was having issues. Since we full-time, that's not an option for us, and we're about ten states away from the Gander we bought it at. I'd rather fix if I can than deal with the service department at the dealership.

ATwynham · 09-02-2022, 07:48 PM

Andy
We’re you able to fix your fan issue?
We have the same issue. Connections, power etc all good. I did replace the control switch but no change. Ordered a new fan but it came with 4 wires versus mine that has just 3 blue/white/green… which did not work
Have not ordered a new fan as I’m not convinced that is the root cause
How did your fan issue conclude?
Thanks in advance

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