Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-05-2020, 02:23 PM   #1
Badferr
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #23484
Fridge problems

I have a 2018 MHC hm330rl . After weeks of trying to diagnose the problem . Not cooling to temp . I discovered with the slide even 2” In or all the way in it works perfectly , but with slide all the way out it ranges from 42*-53* . Any ideas ?
 
Badferr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2020, 06:10 PM   #2
speedster100
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: owen sound
Posts: 491
M.O.C. #17566
Running on gas or electric ???? If gas then perhaps the gas supply line is being pinched ??? Just a guess.........strange one.
speedster100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 05:46 AM   #3
Buzz19766
Established Member
 
Buzz19766's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Carson City
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #26595
Hello
First of all,, I'm not a big fan of Norcold.
Mine does the exact same thing on gas or electric, It doesn't make much sense for sure.
By reading a lot of blogs concerning this issue, a 5th that has a fridge that slides out does not get enough air circulation due to the two side mounted vents.
I'm thinking of adding exhaust fans at the top vent to see if that helps move the air. I don't think that one little fan behind the lower outside vent cover is adequate.
Buzz19766 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 05:56 AM   #4
Dave W
Montana Master
 
Dave W's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,788
M.O.C. #14547
Look under tha slide for either a crimped gas line or loose wiring. Or both. Common problem.
__________________
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
Dave W is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 05:59 AM   #5
Butch & Kathy
Montana Fan
 
Butch & Kathy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: West Melbourne
Posts: 310
M.O.C. #18980
Strange symptoms indeed. I have figured out how to help keep my Norcold 2118 cold. I keep the door closed as much as possible as it take a long time for the fridge to recover. Here is a list of tips:
- install an ARP unit and two external fans. https://www.arprv.com/products.php
- consider using the ARP setting to disable the defrost cycle
- check the door seals using the dollar bill test
- check & adjust the center door flap, they tend to drag on the bottom and not fully close
- install an interior fan that clips to the cooling fins
- DO NOT open the door to check the temperature, use a remote digital thermometer https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- I also use a small bottle of water with an thermometer stuck through the lid to verify temperature. This will tell you your food temp vs. air temp of the remote
- plan your trips into the fridge. It is not like a residential fridge where you can open the door and browse. It takes a long time to recover from door openings.
__________________
Butch and Kathy
2016 3160RL Legacy, Sailun S637, Centramatic Balancers, 2-T105s, Amish Refrigeration, ARPrv, SoftStartRV, FlexArmor roof
2016 F350 6.7L SRW
Butch & Kathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 08:00 AM   #6
Eagleback
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Full Timer In Naples, Florida
Posts: 1,049
M.O.C. #15731
Need to have a fridge problems area on the forum for these crap fridges and they seem to be always have the same problem. They do not work.
__________________
2017, 3500 Ram Big Horn, 4x4, Crew Cab, DRW, Aisin Transmission, 4:10. Curt Q20, 2014 Mountaineer 331 RLT, Sailun's on the rv and truck.
Eagleback is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 08:18 AM   #7
speedster100
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: owen sound
Posts: 491
M.O.C. #17566
Honestly never had any issue with ours in our 2015 3790RD, had to keep it at a 5 most of the time and it still froze tomato's & eggs on occasion if it got cooler at night. During really hot humid weather we would turn it up to 6 during the day and back down to 5 at night or again freezing stuff in fridge. Just downsized to a 3120RL and haven't had a chance to really try it out but it seemed to take longer to get cold than the one in the 3790. I will be checking the door closure and seals shortly to ensure then are adjusted as required. If the door is adjusted properly these things should work fine just like our 3790 fridge did and every other RV fridge we've used over the past 40yrs...
speedster100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 10:04 AM   #8
Montana Man
Montana Master
 
Montana Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
Quote:
Originally Posted by Badferr View Post
I have a 2018 MHC hm330rl . After weeks of trying to diagnose the problem . Not cooling to temp . I discovered with the slide even 2” In or all the way in it works perfectly , but with slide all the way out it ranges from 42*-53* . Any ideas ?
When would you ever slide the slide in 2 inches long enough to discover that the fridge works?

With your description I would check how level it sits.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
Montana Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 10:10 AM   #9
Montana Man
Montana Master
 
Montana Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzz19766 View Post
Hello
First of all,, I'm not a big fan of Norcold.
Mine does the exact same thing on gas or electric, It doesn't make much sense for sure.
By reading a lot of blogs concerning this issue, a 5th that has a fridge that slides out does not get enough air circulation due to the two side mounted vents.
I'm thinking of adding exhaust fans at the top vent to see if that helps move the air. I don't think that one little fan behind the lower outside vent cover is adequate.
These units require what all units need, air circulation and doors that seal. Unfortunately they are way underpowered for air circulation. Those door seals need more tlc than other designs. Fix these two and the unit should be just fine.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
Montana Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2020, 12:29 PM   #10
richfaa
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
The OEM cooling unit did fail on our Norcold within the first 6 months on out 13 3402. We got a replacement from the Amish place in Shipshewana and it has been perfect ever since. Do check your door seals for leaks.
richfaa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2020, 11:10 AM   #11
Route66Rambler
Montana Fan
 
Route66Rambler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 170
M.O.C. #23433
I am guessing that your fridge is a Dometic and not a Norcold as in our 2019 330RL. We inspected our fridge this spring and found ours has 4 fans on the outside. and there were no air gaps. Inspect that area first. Next know when your fridge will run the defrost cycle. You want it run in the middle of the night and not during the day. This video will give you some areas to check. Ours checked out just as it should be. We added the fan and ti really helps circulate air.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dometic-Ref...-/181208057633

Here is the video

https://changinglanesrv.com/rv-maint...refrigeration/
__________________
Troy and Tracy Chaddon
2019 Montana High Country 330RL
2005 Ford F-350 "Bulletproofed"
Route66Rambler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2020, 01:40 PM   #12
Buzz19766
Established Member
 
Buzz19766's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Carson City
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #26595
It's a Norcold and only has one single outside fan on the lower vent.
Buzz19766 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2020, 04:26 PM   #13
214skier
Seasoned Camper
 
214skier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: snohomish
Posts: 60
M.O.C. #26580
check this out

Upon opening the upper refrigerator vent, I found this board covering nearly 1/2 the opening. Below this board are four hard working fans. Is this proper? I could see this as channeling air flow across the blades... I could also see this impacting air flow *out*.

Thoughts?
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0854.jpg
Views:	78
Size:	407.1 KB
ID:	6859  
__________________
2020 376 FL HC
2018 F350 Platinum, Firestone ride-right airbags
214skier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2020, 05:49 PM   #14
dieselguy
Montana Master
 
dieselguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
214skier ... the baffle made from paneling is there for a reason. Google Dometic or Norcold fridges and look at the installation instructions. You'll find measurements and baffling requirements to properly get the air flowing past the evaporator tubes and condenser coils. Like said, fridges in a slide are way more sensitive to ventilation as opposed to the fridges that sit in the main camper body and exhaust out a vent on the roof. More times than need be the line tech installing a fridge on the assy line does a sub par job getting the baffling right. I've altered a factory install to meet Dometic's install requirements a half dozen times on units with successful results. Adding more cooling fans or an ARP unit with them does wonders. AT the very least on a really hot day ... put a floor fan blowing into the bottom vent to get some air moving if you are reluctant to install anything permanent.
dieselguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2020, 06:24 PM   #15
Buzz19766
Established Member
 
Buzz19766's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Carson City
Posts: 14
M.O.C. #26595
Yeah, I haven't opened the top fridge vent yet, now I'm curious.
Thanks
Buzz19766 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2020, 06:40 PM   #16
jsb5717
Montana Master
 
jsb5717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,455
M.O.C. #23668
This thread is going on at the same time. Likely applies to the OP as well

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=81791
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS
2015 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4x4 DRW / Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
jsb5717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-22-2020, 08:38 AM   #17
Route66Rambler
Montana Fan
 
Route66Rambler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 170
M.O.C. #23433
214skier see the video I posted above from Changing Lanes. This is absolutely the correct installation.
__________________
Troy and Tracy Chaddon
2019 Montana High Country 330RL
2005 Ford F-350 "Bulletproofed"
Route66Rambler is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:42 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.