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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper
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    Noisy refrigerator fan runs all the time

    4 month old Reflection 31MB with the Dometic refrigerator. We're on a camping trip and the fan for the refrig has gotten very noisy. I removed the upper vent panel from the outside of the slide out and the small 12v fan is running constantly and noisy enough to keep us awake tonight so I unplugged it at the thermo switch. I noticed that the thermo switch and the fins it was attached to was not hot to the touch, not even warm. My thought is the thermo switch is bad since it is turning on the fan when it's not even hot. Also the fan is noisy maybe from running non stop and burning out the bearing in the fan. Am I on the right track?
    We're running it on propane only and I left the fan unplugged for the night. I also left the plastic vent panel off for better air circulation. Any input from the experts here?
    thanks

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor orbiker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1carguy View Post
    4 month old Reflection 31MB with the Dometic refrigerator. We're on a camping trip and the fan for the refrig has gotten very noisy. I removed the upper vent panel from the outside of the slide out and the small 12v fan is running constantly and noisy enough to keep us awake tonight so I unplugged it at the thermo switch. I noticed that the thermo switch and the fins it was attached to was not hot to the touch, not even warm. My thought is the thermo switch is bad since it is turning on the fan when it's not even hot. Also the fan is noisy maybe from running non stop and burning out the bearing in the fan. Am I on the right track?
    We're running it on propane only and I left the fan unplugged for the night. I also left the plastic vent panel off for better air circulation. Any input from the experts here?
    thanks
    It sounds like you are on the right track.
    For now; maybe 1 drop of silicone lube on the fan bearings.

    Next
    Ask Grand Design for a new pair of fans and sensors.

    KEN
    Backpacker and tent camper all my life, including BSA as a kid and adult.
    Motorcycle trips across the USA with a tent - 1978 to Present.
    02-10-2005 - 2002 F350 SWD PSD and 2003 Citation 10'8S mostly for Crater Lake Ski Patrol.
    10-29-2015 - 2016 Grand Design 380TH. It's HUGE compared to a camper.
    10-19-2018 - traded truck for a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW Laramie CC 4 X 4 Long Box.
    03-16-2019 - Traded Momentum for a New 2018 374TH-R Solitude
    FULL TIME RV'er Nov 2021

  3. #3
    Big Traveler
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    Just a word of caution: If your fridge gets too hot from having the fan unplugged, you will crystalize the ammonia and you will need to buy a new fridge. I would not leave it unplugged during the day.
    Those thermo switches are prone (in my experience) to failure. Yours seems to be stuck in the closed position.
    2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins SRW w/Aisin
    2021 Reflection 303RLS
    New to RV'ing since 1997

  4. #4
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    When we replaced our Atwood fridge with the Dometic while it was out , we remounted and changed to super quiet computer fans . Mounted using little bungie cords to take away vibration noise. It's pretty darned quiet . We learned and have done this to fridges going back to our little '98 Aliner,
    Marcy & Gary
    2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
    2022 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax Longbed SRW
    2015 GMC Denali 3500 - Retired
    2003 F350 - retired
    Michigan
    We're in trouble now, the dog are bloggin'!
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  5. #5
    Site Sponsor Richter's Avatar
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    Ours started getting more and more noisy as time went on. Since it was still under warranty, we took it in to have it looked at. It was hard to describe the noise, but was like something hitting against the blade with every revolution. The mounting bracket had cracked, so they replaced it, and it’s much quieter now.
    Tom and Janice (known as Tom in PGH on the “other” forum)

    First came the 18' Comfort bumper-pull, was great for 20 years.
    Now a 2019 Reflection 303RLS, second air, double glass, table and chairs
    2019 F350 Lariat (Diesel) 4x4 Crewcab with lots of goodies
    Andersen aluminum with the puck system holding it all together
    Cranberry Twp. PA, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh

  6. #6
    Rolling Along OurNewEra's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1carguy View Post
    4 month old Reflection 31MB with the Dometic refrigerator. We're on a camping trip and the fan for the refrig has gotten very noisy. I removed the upper vent panel from the outside of the slide out and the small 12v fan is running constantly and noisy enough to keep us awake tonight so I unplugged it at the thermo switch. I noticed that the thermo switch and the fins it was attached to was not hot to the touch, not even warm. My thought is the thermo switch is bad since it is turning on the fan when it's not even hot. Also the fan is noisy maybe from running non stop and burning out the bearing in the fan. Am I on the right track?
    We're running it on propane only and I left the fan unplugged for the night. I also left the plastic vent panel off for better air circulation. Any input from the experts here?
    thanks
    We had the same experience with our fridge fan on our first camp trip. The first mod in the trailer was swapping in two fans for the factory single fan. They work great and the fridge cools much better than with the single. The more air you can move the better.

    Two fans are in my spare parts bag in case they die or get to noisy. Being in the southeast our fans run most of the time.
    Mike & Lisa
    Central Florida
    2021 Imagine 2970RL
    1996 Chevy K3500 Crew SRW 7.4L Gas

  7. #7
    Big Traveler
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    Quote Originally Posted by WhittleBurner View Post
    When we replaced our Atwood fridge with the Dometic while it was out , we remounted and changed to super quiet computer fans . Mounted using little bungie cords to take away vibration noise. It's pretty darned quiet . We learned and have done this to fridges going back to our little '98 Aliner,
    With the 303RLS, do you have to move the island to change the fridge? From what I can see, the only way to get at the fridge fans in the 303 is to pull the fridge.
    2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins SRW w/Aisin
    2021 Reflection 303RLS
    New to RV'ing since 1997

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scott'n'Wendy View Post
    With the 303RLS, do you have to move the island to change the fridge? From what I can see, the only way to get at the fridge fans in the 303 is to pull the fridge.
    I changed the fans in my 303 by going through the outside top vent of the refrigerator. It's a pain having to stand on a step stool and reach down to unscrew the original fans but much better than removing the refrigerator.
    John & Cindy
    2019 Reflection 303 RLS
    2018 Ford F250 6.7 PSD

  9. #9
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scott'n'Wendy View Post
    With the 303RLS, do you have to move the island to change the fridge? From what I can see, the only way to get at the fridge fans in the 303 is to pull the fridge.
    We didn't try to change the fan from the outside so can't say. Our vintage 2014 303 has a smaller fridge (8cf) with slightly larger pantry, counter space and cabinet next to the stove instead of a 12 cf fridge so no issues with the counter for us. In todays design it looks pretty darned tight to get the fridge out but is likely possible.. if the slide fits there so should the fridge
    Marcy & Gary
    2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
    2022 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax Longbed SRW
    2015 GMC Denali 3500 - Retired
    2003 F350 - retired
    Michigan
    We're in trouble now, the dog are bloggin'!
    https://3dogsandatrailer.wordpress.com/


  10. #10
    Big Traveler
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnww View Post
    I changed the fans in my 303 by going through the outside top vent of the refrigerator. It's a pain having to stand on a step stool and reach down to unscrew the original fans but much better than removing the refrigerator.
    On our 2021 there is no space to do that. Most of the top vent is blocked off forcing air movement over the cooling fins. Only about the top 5 or 6" is open and thats filled by the cooling fins.
    2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins SRW w/Aisin
    2021 Reflection 303RLS
    New to RV'ing since 1997

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