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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: dans96u295ft on September 22, 2025, 09:50:43 am

Title: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: dans96u295ft on September 22, 2025, 09:50:43 am
I did research on the various brands for replacing the originals and am a bit confused on what brand is the best for direct replacment of the factory Dometics.
I want a both heat and cool.
Suggestions?
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: bbeane on September 22, 2025, 11:23:13 am
I am getting ready to replace mine. I'm looking real hard at Houghton They are marketed by Rec Pro. The other one is Eco Cool, they both have people that will actually answer the phone. Also they are remote control and don't require new T/stats  and so on. They are both $1395.00
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: Rudy on September 22, 2025, 11:30:48 am
Bruce, I bought EcoCool.  They were to have the ceiling units in Nac in May.  They arrived less than a month ago after telling me for months on end they will be shipped next week.  I cancelled the replacement.

I am looking to use Houghtons next spring.  Ernie the floor guy has had good service from his Houghtons
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: Rudy on September 22, 2025, 11:34:54 am
Bruce, please call me.  713/818-3234
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: Gerry Vicha on September 22, 2025, 11:50:34 am
I put two(2) Tosot 15,000 BTU heat pumps on mine in February of this year. They are quiet and efficient. I was in Ohio all summer this year and only had 30 amp service, No problems . I replaced a new Furrion that made so much noise I could not hear the TV.
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: dans96u295ft on September 22, 2025, 12:54:59 pm
I called RecPro-Houghton and will definitely go with them. Friendly, in stock, 5% off for new customers, Reviews are good, 2 year warranty. RP-AC3800-w-kt, $1349.95 less 5%
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: Bob & Sue on September 22, 2025, 02:12:14 pm
I'll 2nd the Tosot model 15000 btu.  There made buy Gree who makes other brands also. I like that the heat or cool can be vented partially out the bottom.
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: Peter on September 22, 2025, 03:10:21 pm
There are two new models of the dometic that should be investigated. Their claims are they are quieter, more efficient with built in soft starts,and lighter, with plug and play capabilities for the older models on foretravels . Freshjet 3 and 5
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: Michelle on September 22, 2025, 03:29:48 pm
There are two new models of the dometic that should be investigated. Their claims are they are quieter, more efficient with built in soft starts,and lighter, with plug and play capabilities for the older models on foretravels . Freshjet 3 and 5

None of the Freshjet models (including the very new 7) have heat pump mode at this point.  Dan wants both A/C and heatpump operation.

ETA, it looks like the Freshjet 4 will have heat pump mode, but there's no info on its BTU capacity.  The new Freshjet models also require a new thermostat, at least per this person's post on another forum

https://www.monacoers.org/topic/10209-dometic-penguin-ii-discontinued-replaced-by-freshjet-4-5-what-dometic-says/

Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: erniee on September 22, 2025, 03:48:00 pm
Two years ago, I had to replace the original Dometic. Replaced it with a Dometic penguin 15. Loud, loud.
I replaced the two rears with Houghtons. Quiet, quiet- they cool, they heat, and I can hear the ringing in my ears, whereas with Dometic- all I could hear was the loud operation.
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: James Bock on September 22, 2025, 07:11:25 pm
Two years ago, I had to replace the original Dometic. Replaced it with a Dometic penguin 15. Loud, loud.
I replaced the two rears with Houghtons. Quiet, quiet- they cool, they heat, and I can hear the ringing in my ears, whereas with Dometic- all I could hear was the loud operation.
Ernie, what about the Aqua Hot, with the new Houghtons? And also how about the thermostat? Was it plug n play or something else?
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: erniee on September 22, 2025, 08:19:51 pm
That was the nightmare. Even with the new Dometic , aqua hot wouldn't work.
Upon Rudy's suggestion, he advised adding 3 manual thermostats and he wired them to the aqua hot Reporter. They have worked great. The Houghtons have their own remote control thermostat- wireless. There is a holder with those units to mount it to the wall. Simple- not complicated. At my age, that scenario is most desirable..
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: dans96u295ft on September 22, 2025, 08:25:32 pm
Okay I changed midstream, bought the 16000 btu, heat and ac, remote and wifi from TOSOT. Amazon has a $200 coupon so shipped to my door was $1000. 2 year warranty, I called the factory and they answered and said in stock.
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: bbeane on September 22, 2025, 09:44:37 pm
Okay I changed midstream, bought the 16000 btu, heat and ac, remote and wifi from TOSOT. Amazon has a $200 coupon so shipped to my door was $1000. 2 year warranty, I called the factory and they answered and said in stock.
do you have a ductless system?
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: erniee on September 23, 2025, 08:09:45 am
Houghton can be used ducted or ductless
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: dans96u295ft on September 23, 2025, 10:20:50 am
Yes, no duct work in my 1996
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: Protech Racing on September 23, 2025, 01:19:37 pm
I will fire up my new Tosot today. Removed the Coleman machine 2 from my new Thor.
The engineering is impressive.
Title: Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements
Post by: Rudy on September 23, 2025, 07:31:14 pm
I sure that is a fine Tosot AC but only one fan motor.  I want two fan motors to suit me.

Plus,  Keith Risch is lots smarter than I am.  So, instead of installing to manual thermostats to run the AH system, he will remove the circuit boards from the old ACs and install them inside of the Houghtons or what ever AC you choose.  Work smarter not harder.  Bravo Keith