Sounds like a fan running in refrigerator

I have a Norcold 10cf fridge in a 2011 32fws and just noticed a sound like a fan running.  Not sure if its when the fridge is running or not, but it doesn’t do it all the time, only occasionally.  The fridge is working fine but after owning the rig for 5 years I would have thought I would have noticed it by now.   I have not noticed this sound until a couple days ago.  When I checked with Norcold they said the fridge did not have a fan installed from the factory but the RV manufacturer could have added one.   Does anyone know if Carriage installed fans in units with the two vents in the side wall and if so is there anyway to get to them without removing the fridge.  I would like to check it out if there is one and it has just got loud otherwise I have no idea what is making the noise.  Any info about this is appreciated.

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

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[AnonymousTopics - 2Replies - 23Total - 25]

Mabe someone added the cooling fan?

[CLOC-AdminKeymasterKeymaster]

I can’t even tell if there is a fan behind the fridge or not.  I’m just hearing a sound like a fan coming from the fridge.  Could be something else but definitely from the fridge, with the fridge door open can hear it from middle of back wall.

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

[John LaPlanteParticipantTopics - 0Replies - 11Total - 11]

I have a 36FWS which is similar and I had a service guy explain there should be fans behind these units because of the reduced space for ventilation in the full wall slide. If you take off the top vent panel on the outside, they are supposedly down a bit from the top in the vertical air chamber behind the frig. He actually suggested adding an additional one for hot weather.

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

You probably have a fan from the factory.  Mine is a 8cf and a September 2009 build.  It has a fan.  I only hear it when it is really hot out, especially if the fws is facing the sun.  Shoukd not run constantly.  It should  come on when cavity or component temperature reaches a certain point, then off again.

If You go outside and remove either frig access panel you should be able to confirm how loud it actually is.   Although these are brushless 12 volt fans and last a long time, they do not last forever.  Yours might be showing wear and finally in the right climate conditions to hear it.  I have a photo of the actual fan someplace.  Will post when I track it down so you van have one on hand when you remove the frig.  That is the only way to get at my fan.

 

There are several screws holding the frig down from the back -easily accessible from lower access panel outside.  Turn off propane and release pressure via stove before opening propane connection.  Main line uses a 3/8 flare fitting.  2 obvious screws at top of frig inside.  2 hidden at bottom inside, tgen 2 more in almost udentical location.  Then slides out easily once all screws are out.  It is deep enough to touch floor by tilting, but you need ac2nd person to help lift it back in.  I took doors off and shelf out to lighten the load.

 

A lot of work if it isn’t very noisy.  Mandatory if the bearing is going out.  No fan and unit will not function in bot weather.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[CLOC-AdminKeymasterKeymaster]

Thanks for the info.  I would love to see the pic if you can find it.  It just seems that I would have heard it before now as I normally camp during the summer when it has been a lot hotter, the last time I heard it it was only 77 outside which isn’t that hot compared to much of my camping.  We have been having a roller coaster of temps from the mid 80s to mid 60s for highs and out of control winds every few days, maybe conditions are just right to activate it.  I’ll have to pull out the ladder and look in the top vent to see what I can see from that angle.  Norcold told me the fan they install (which they said my serial number didn’t have a fan installed by them) is mounted just above the coils and can be seen from the lower access but I couldn’t see anything through the small slot between the coils and trailer wall which appears to have something mounted to it making the space behind the fridge very tight.  I have heard in the past that fridges installed without a vent in the roof usually have a fan of some sort installed for air flow.

Thanks again and if you can find that pic please post.

Dave

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

[moo2613ParticipantTopics - 14Replies - 43Total - 57]

I installed a fan on mine as it did not come with one.  Not that hard of a job since I was already having to remove the fridge to put in new coils.  My fan has a small control box inside the lower access panel.  Little black box with a red light or 2 on it if I remember correctly.  Sometimes I hear the fan at the oddest times, last week, it was 40° outside and it was running.  I think it is possessed, but the fridge keeps working fine.  The fan does install in the area where you are hearing it.

[AnonymousTopics - 0Replies - 2Total - 2]

A fridge installed in a slide wall without a roof vent i.e. with an upper and lower wall vent can also have issues cooling while driving over 55mph.  I installed four fans on my Norcold to assist but finally ended up using a modified rain lip from an Airstream window to create a venturi to remove heat while driving….worked great if you ever experience your fridge not working well when traveling.

[Author]

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