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05-27-2022, 08:26 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,294
M.O.C. #30417
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Refrigerator Fan Upgrade
I've been reading about the issues with LPG Refrigerators not cooling in hot weather, catching fire etc. I've not had a problem in 25 years but I saw a Montana at a campground with a house fan blowing on the refrigerator vent and thought I should see whats out there.
I found this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...QROUNPT13&th=1
What's your thoughts?
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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05-27-2022, 08:38 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,484
M.O.C. #23668
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That's the idea. I added fans and thermistor to mine a couple years ago. They definitely help keep the fins cooler. The side vent systems (because they are in a slide) just don't move enough air through. There are several YouTube videos on the subject.
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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
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05-27-2022, 09:54 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,738
M.O.C. #24086
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I bought two fans to put on the inside of the fridge. The temperature swings was a bit much for my liking. After I installed one inside the fridge temp is consistently around 36⁰F with the fridge set on #4.
I'm going to install the other fan on the top outside vent to draw hot air out.
Looking through the wiring schematic for the fridge, the factory installed outside fans don't come on until its 130⁰F.
I believe that's too warm. Hopefully after I install this additional fan I will have hard ice cream lol
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Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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05-27-2022, 10:18 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,484
M.O.C. #23668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
...Hopefully after I install this additional fan I will have hard ice cream lol
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It's sad that that's really the issue, isn't it? I find that the ice cream stays much more firm on the bottom shelf of the freezer
__________________
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
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05-27-2022, 10:57 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,294
M.O.C. #30417
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I want to start with the vent fan and see what kind of difference it makes. My understanding is it's mounted to the upper vent blowing out. Is that correct?
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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05-27-2022, 11:36 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,484
M.O.C. #23668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak
I want to start with the vent fan and see what kind of difference it makes. My understanding is it's mounted to the upper vent blowing out. Is that correct?
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That's the way I did it. Most YouTube's I found did it that way as well. It makes sense to me since the issue seems that more heat gathers in the space above the fridge. The fans move that out and help draw more air from the bottom and across/through the fins for better cooling.
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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
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05-27-2022, 12:23 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,726
M.O.C. #12947
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If you go to the ARP site, there are pictures how they suggest mounting the fans, which you can purchase on Amazon separately if you don’t want to install an ARP device. I have the ARP device and it has made a huge difference. The fridge is working great, and I haven’t needed to replace the cooling unit since the second one was installed in 2015, and with the two extra fans, the temps in the fridge and freezer are very good. It’s 100 degrees outside here as I type this, and the freezer is at 13 degrees and the fridge is 40, which works for us. www.arprv.com
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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06-13-2022, 08:08 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Full Timer
Posts: 119
M.O.C. #27665
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Not for nothing, that amazon price of $88 for two muffin fans seems a little ridiculous. I bought this for $14 and hooked it together myself https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BLTW8RX/
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Full-Timing since 2018 in a 2013 3625RE, 2023 Ford F450DRW with High Output Diesel,
Custom kingpin-mounted hitch receiver for bike rack 2019
MorRyde I/S with 8K Axles & Goodyear G114 Tires on 17.5” aluminum wheels 2020
FlexArmor roof 2021, Starlink
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06-13-2022, 08:24 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,294
M.O.C. #30417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VagabondLove
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That all good and I'm a fan "no put intended" of saving money but for $88 I get an auto fan speed controller!
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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06-13-2022, 06:22 PM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Chandler
Posts: 81
M.O.C. #26281
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Our Dometic RV refrigerator was not properly cooling properly, we did a few things to improve it. 1.) installed 2 additional cooling fans. 2.) made sure we had the 1" gap behind the fridge. 3.) insulated the refrigerator cabinet. We live in AZ and can now pull our refrigerator down in 24 hours in the summer in our covered storage lot. Numbers 1 & 2 shared above are based upon the refrigerator manuals. #3 was the idea of our RV service company and seems to have helped as well.
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AZMont
2020 Ram 3500 MegaCab HO Diesel 4x4 SRW
2015 3100 RL, Onan 4500i inverter/generator
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06-13-2022, 06:35 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,960
M.O.C. #20477
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I have had good results with ARP fans and device for my RV reefer.
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Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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06-13-2022, 06:40 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,484
M.O.C. #23668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VagabondLove
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Did you connect them to the OEM fans? You need some kind of controller/thermistor so the fans come on when needed.
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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
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07-17-2022, 10:36 PM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PLEASANT HILL
Posts: 37
M.O.C. #14541
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Can you share some pictures on the completed fan project?
Thanks in advance
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2015 305RL Montana High Country
2017 F350 SRD King Ranch 4x4
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07-18-2022, 04:28 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,738
M.O.C. #24086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Husker92
Can you share some pictures on the completed fan project?
Thanks in advance
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Lots of threads on this topic.
You would think Norcold would fix this before they go out of business...
Here's one with pictures
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87403
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07-18-2022, 10:03 PM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PLEASANT HILL
Posts: 37
M.O.C. #14541
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
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Thanks so much!!!
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2015 305RL Montana High Country
2017 F350 SRD King Ranch 4x4
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07-19-2022, 05:43 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Full Timer
Posts: 119
M.O.C. #27665
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My fan project was on the inside. Two muffin fans mounted on the cooling fins, powered by the door heater (which, unlike a light, runs when the door is closed). The cooling fins act as the ground. Tape and a foam button help keep the positive wire connected to the positive power. I originally had three muffin fans, but it was too much current for the door, and a little melting occurred.
__________________
Full-Timing since 2018 in a 2013 3625RE, 2023 Ford F450DRW with High Output Diesel,
Custom kingpin-mounted hitch receiver for bike rack 2019
MorRyde I/S with 8K Axles & Goodyear G114 Tires on 17.5” aluminum wheels 2020
FlexArmor roof 2021, Starlink
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07-19-2022, 10:53 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: woodstock
Posts: 545
M.O.C. #8174
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There is a little fan that goes in the refrigerator
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Ed
Montana Master
Woodstock Ga
2020 3931 FB Legacy
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07-19-2022, 05:31 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,159
M.O.C. #1920
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The fans are great, but still could have a fire. We also have the ARP system. It shuts down the boiler in an over temp situation then restarts it when it’s safe. They also have fans integrated into the system.
https://www.arprv.com/products.php
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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07-19-2022, 06:07 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,294
M.O.C. #30417
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rames14
The fans are great, but still could have a fire. We also have the ARP system. It shuts down the boiler in an over temp situation then restarts it when it’s safe. They also have fans integrated into the system.
https://www.arprv.com/products.php
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Ya but pricey. I have to wonder what percentage of these catch fire?
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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07-19-2022, 08:46 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,726
M.O.C. #12947
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The ARP device may seem pricey, but the protection of the cooling system will dramatically lengthen the life of the cooling unit. If the system gets too hot on a regular basis, corrosion inside the tubing will happen and you ultimately will develop a leak. Besides the protection, our fridge has worked better than ever before, and you will know it's doing its job when you see the power shut off for a short time and then power comes back on, which is the device keeping the fridge cooling unit from overheating.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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