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Topic: Air Conditioner updating (Read 1083 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Conditioner updating

My rear air went out and my A/C man checked it out and said the compressor was bad...called around, no compressors available anymore, someone said the factory in Mexico that made them burned down, no longer made.  After talking with FOT they suggested the Penguin II, noone here seemed super impressed with it.  Since I have a Tracstar on the roof I thought perhaps I don't need another low profile unit, so I called and talked to Dometic and they said the Brisk Air II is a modular unit like the old units were, so my old control board could be used with it.  I replaced my control boards 3 yrs ago when my 4 button thermostat quit acting good (I wasn't on here then).  I put a 5 button thermostat in then and had to change boards so I didn't really want to spend the money on new boards and thermostat now.  The Brisk Air II was in stock at PPL for $360 so I picked one up and put it on.  I haven't had time to measure with it on yet, but I think it is about 1/2" taller than the Tracstar.  I don't know if its quieter yet, hard to tell, but I will compare soon since I have 1 old and 1 new on there.  I'll also meter it to see which draws more power, the new is supposed to be the most efficient out there. It isn't as sleek looking as the old Penguin but I'm ok with that for the price and perfomance, since I'm only losing 1/2" of clearance.  Perhaps this can help someone having A/C issues....

I did have to cut off the wiring harness in order to connect to the board, but it was very simple to get wired up regardless.

The only downside so far is that it didn't come with a heat strip.  I will probably just buy the one for it instead of trying to use the old since I'm seeing it online for $59, I think it's worth that to have a new one.

Steven M
98 U270 WTFE 36'
Houston, TX

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #1 –
Quote from: smillner –
I will probably just buy the one for it instead of trying to use the old since I'm seeing it online for $59, I think it's worth that to have a new one.
FWIW, we've had our coach four years and traveled to Montana three times in December/January. We have never used heat strips.  Portable ceramic heaters work nicely for 120VAC heating.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #2 –
We also would never use our roof air units for heating, as heat rises and why put wear on an expensive unit, when a cheap floor lever space heater does a better job. Also our heating element gets in the way of cleaning the evaporator coils from inside or from on the roof.

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #3 –
When and if I ever replace an a/c it will be with a quieter unit.  Some of the new units are really quiet.  Do not know the brand just heard them run.  DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #4 –
Just remember what Barry said about heat rising. Use a small fan to bring the heated air down to the living level rather than stratify up near the ceiling. We did this all winter and only run the front furnace at nite. During the summer we do the same with the AC units. Run whichever unit is farthest from where we are. Reduces the noise where we are.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #5 –
FWIW the older AC units had piston type compressors that make more noise and vibration than the newer rotary type compressors.  So most new AC's will make less noise; also the piston compressors make more noise with age and use.  The other source of noise is the fan, and that depends a lot on the design and materials in the unit.  Noise is also reduced by duct work on both the return air and outlets, but with many roof mounted units that isn't possible.  If your coach has a drop ceiling for air distribution, it will be quieter, even though the return air grill is usually just below the unit.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #6 –
I replaced our front AC on our 320 with a Penguin II. That baby was LOUD.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #7 –
I just finished replacing my 2 penguins with brisk air 2's. had to update it all,  new digital thermostat and both control units, but was an easy conversion. Had heat strips , but like so many here elected not to go back with them. I also elected to step up from 1300 btu units to the 1500 btu ones.The biggest difference that I noticed right off was the air flow from the ducts. and we also no longer need a frig if you want to crank her down. the new design, to me is a lot better for sealing the condenser,and the units are both very quiet while running. The airflow from the vents on high can be a little distracting, but on a 100 degree day just turn the sound system up a little.    Larry
Larry and Susan Rogers
  1998 U-270 36'
  Build 5344
  Cummins 8.3

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #8 –
AC is a WONDERFUL thing... I've got to check my rear roof unit. No blower function. Hope I can fix it with some judicious tapping. That worked on my SOB Class C unit. Everybody is mentioning heat tapes... Did some models come without a furnace, aquahot or other heating system? I've never found electrical heat to efficient or cost effective.
Fred Lewers
1984 FTX ORED
Build #2423
1991 Ford Taurus SHO
17 1/2  trillion dollars....  TANSTAAFL....  The party's winding down folks!

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #9 –
Quote from: fredlewers –
AC is a WONDERFUL thing... I've got to check my rear roof unit. No blower function. Hope I can fix it with some judicious tapping. That worked on my SOB Class C unit. Everybody is mentioning heat tapes... Did some models come without a furnace, aquahot or other heating system? I've never found electrical heat to efficient or cost effective.

The heat strips in the duo therm do work ok but the primary reason to retain them is as a backup.

Dislike intensely only having one system for anything.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #10 –
On our U295, one of the choices at the Comfort Control Center (thermostat) is Heat Strips. One can choose to run the propane heaters OR the heat strips. If I want heat, I use the propane furnaces. Sometimes I use electric heat via a portable ceramic heater to supplement the propane furnaces.

I am not aware of any Foretravel coaches that did not use propane furnaces or a hydronic system for primary heat for the house.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #11 –
Did you have the flat ribbon 6 wire running from the thermostat to the a/c?
If so where you able to "pull" the flat wire out and replace it with the RJ11 wire Dometic says it needs?

Thanks Kerry
Kerrybob
1995 U295
1997 F250 4dr

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #12 –
Kerry we used the same cable that was there...
Tony  &  Lora  # 17361
98 U320 3600 CAI build 5366
 

Re: Air Conditioner updating

Reply #13 –
Tony thanks for the help but I think the 98 models have the telephone cables already run vs ours has the cable with the 10 wire flat connector. There is an adapter but on our MH we didn't have 12V at the a/c unit our was at the thermostat.
So we had to run 12v + and - and phone wire to get updated for the new a/c install.

Thank you Kerry
Kerrybob
1995 U295
1997 F250 4dr