Just Got a 2015 Outback

jkjenn

JiroTX said:

I called the dealer and was told they were booked up for another 4 weeks and wouldn't be able to take a look at it until August. I just emailed the factory. Hopefully, they can send a fan to me.

If what jdargis is saying is correct, what does everyone do when it is hot outside (or it is 85-90F inside)?

Big RVs use a solar shade on the front if their RVs. Perhaps something like this or insulation for the front of the unit would help.

Normfun

Maybe rig a Kelty Noah's tarp over it for shade. 

JiroTX

Scott from LG is sending me the fan kit. I will post pics/review once I receive/install it. He said the vent on the floor under the fridge looked correct, so I will not touch it.

Thanks for all the info guys!

Jiro

JiroTX

I just received the fan kit today. It didn't come with the instructions (I have already emailed them and asked for one). It looks like I need to go get some caulking. I may end up taking it to the dealer next weekend, but I still don't want to drive 4.5 hours just to drop off (9 hours total) and make another trip the following weekend to pick it up... I'll try to call the dealer in Dallas (Mesquite) and see if they can do it under warranty. That would be only 2 hours drive.

jkjenn

If you get the instructions, would you please post them here, for posterity?

JiroTX

I will.

R&DAndrews

Thanks for posting photos of the fridge fan mod kit.  Interesting to see what it looks like, since we haven't ordered our yet, it will already be installed.

Nomad

Patti - The fridge/heat issue is the common one though - The bad fridge hasn't really come up other than your issue as far as I can recall. Just don't want people thinking it's common/frequent. It's closer to an anomaly.

RollingLagrima

The awning appears to be the Pahaque Cottonwood just in a rare teal. They used to make pink ones too.  The hack with the cottonwood for use with a T@B is simply to elevate the four corners by placing them on top of something stable and elevated before sinching down the guy lines (think bed risers, or wood blocks or something). This gets you the clearance over the T@B.

Nomad

Patti - It's unfortunate that there were some bad fridges shipped and you got one but it's still more an outlier issue than the fridge/heat/fan issue that affects "everyone" with the 3-way fridge.

JiroTX

Patti,

We were on the lakeview loop that day. I think it was site #31. We were getting direct sunlight between 3-6pm.
https://plus.google.com/photos/109923055420086500863/albums/6171097686037561873
Tyler State Park is only 30 mins from me. Daingerfield is about an hour away.

The canopy in the pictures was not all the way up (about 8in lower than the highest setting), but I don't think I can cover the the whole thing because Outback is pretty tall. I guess I can at least cover the front part to keep the fridge cool.

Like PX said, I think my fridge and A/C are both fine. My A/C is blowing cool air, and the fridge temp dropped down to 43F when it was not under the sun.

I did think about putting something to blow the air down like on your picture, but I think I should keep the ceiling cool like how it is now. I recently bought a clip fan. I will try it next time and see how it goes.

Jiro

Nomad

I agree, YOU, or any one that thinks they have a defective unit, should follow thru and have it checked, that's not in dispute at all. End of discusssion as far as I'm concerned - Let's get back to the fan kit and it's installation please.

larrygon

I have been contemplating how to increase the efficiency of the AC. One idea not tested is to put small fans in the corners to push the air around more efficiently. I had my TAB in 104 degree temperature in Cottonwood AZ and it stayed very comfortable during the day with out any intervention. Night time was a little different. I could not find a happy medium with the thermostat. It was too warm or too cold. So I am thinking that if I circulate the air around the TAB, and have a more evenly dispersed cooling, I might find the happy medium. 

JiroTX

Patti, I just turned on the refrigerator with the lowest temp. I'll see how it cools down over night. I'll leave it on without the A/C running and check the temperature around noon and sometime in the afternoon. I still haven't installed the fan yet.

RollingLagrima

Patti said:

Sally, I think I'll be looking for a less expensive awning that is hopefully already tall enough, if I go in that direction.

From the perspective of a Silver Shadow owner about to up-size to a T@B, the Cottonwood XLT with the awnings (Kedar-rail compatible) is one piece of gear I will be keeping for use with the T@B (whether or not I can actually run the awning edge into the T@B top rail).  Has anybody done this? I will go search for that now.  Regardless, it is a great quality shade/rain cover and like my BAL leveler, a great investment.

JiroTX

Patti, I might got a defective one. Inside the fridge feels still pretty cold...

Last night around 11:30pm when I turned on the fridge:


This morning around 9:30am:






I just turned on the A/C to see if it helps. I'll check the temperature again in about an hour....

JiroTX

Patti, I will try to call Holiday World tomorrow.

At 12:30 (3 hours after I turned on the A/C), the temp in the fridge dropped to 39.8). The outside temp was around 95F. Room temperature: 78F




I just checked again at 6pm. Outside temp 98F. It (at least the back of the fridge) looks normal to me. Room temperature: 73F




It looks like with the A/C on under the shade, everything works fine.... The only issue is the heat produced by the fridge.
I just turned off the A/C. I'll check the temp again in about 3-4 hours. I started thinking installing the fan kit will solve all the issues I'm having. I will still call Holiday World and see what they say.

JiroTX

Update:

I just checked the temp again (3 hours after shutting off the A/C). Outside temp 89F, inside 94F.

TABaker

Sally, the Cottonwood works with the T@B and connects with the rails.  Some T@B owners use it.  I'd post a pic of 1 or 2 at a rally, but haven't resized...

RollingLagrima

Thanks Sandra. I found the video made by pahaque that shows this very thing! Enjoy Tearstock (younare going, right?) Sorry I won't make it this year. I can't be in two places at once, and next weekend, I will be picking up my 2016 Sofitel! So excited.

JiroTX

Here's the instructions I received from LG. I have converted it to a PDF file. The fridge in the instruction sheet looks like a newer model. I wonder if it produces less heat...

They also sent me a link to their video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afQqYz88RpM

Jiro

Nomad

JiroTX - Could you start a new thread - maybe titled "Norcold 3-Way Fridge Exhaust Fan Kit" or something and post your pic and PDF? - This topic needs it's own thread as it affects anyone with that fridge and this thread has a couple of tangents going on. Thanks

I'd try to move things but not sure exactly how to do it - afraid I'd screw things up :-(

JiroTX

PXLated, I have created a new post with the title you suggested.

I am still trying to decide if I take it to the dealer or not. I have an appointment this Saturday, but I don't really feel like driving 9 hrs just to drop of my T@B. I will call them tomorrow and see what they can do on Saturday. If they can install the fan kit and some insulations Saturday, I will drive over there and camp somewhere in Austin area.

Patti, I looked at Norcold website. It looks like Holiday World of Dallas is just a "Norcold Recall Service Center." I found there's a place in Tyler (Southern RV Supercenter) who is a "Norcold Recall Service Center" and also a "Authorized Service Center." I think I will call them and hear their opinion about how long it takes to bring it to 40F on my fridge. I will post an update here.