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Topic: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump (Read 1012 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #1 –
We did  Duo therm roof unit

With the new CCCII thermostat they have 3 fan speeds, which might help with the perceived sound level.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #2 –
@Michelle

Did you change the intake to something like the remote mounted QuietZone return air setup that Dometic talks about making a big reduction in sound or did you just stick with the original return air?
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #3 –
Quote from: rsihnhold –
Did you change the intake to something like the remote mounted QuietZone return air setup that Dometic talks about making a big reduction in sound or did you just stick with the original return air?

My apologies - I thought you were referring to the Penguin II High Capacity...  I Googled the Quiet Zone and see Dometic has a new, taller unit called the HP.  I'm not familiar with this model.  I'm not sure it's designed as a replacement unit vs. something for manufacturers to be installed in new builds (given the requirement for separate cooling/return ducting runs).
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #4 –
I replaced my units with the Atwood Air Command units---- extremely quiet, much quieter than the original Dometic Penquin units.  I am extremely satisfied with them.  You can buy them on eBay at "my12voltstore" at very competitive prices and have them delivered in about 3 days to your door step.  I really like these units!  Rudy also replaced his units with these--- you might check with him as well.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Kemahjohn –
I replaced my units with the Atwood Air Command units

I don't believe these work with the newer coaches' ducted configurations (which also use a remote-mounted control system for the coach HVAC)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #6 –
I've got ducted air so I'm curious about that Michelle and Kemahjohn. 

It looks like the Atwood units are not compatible with the the Dometic CCC2 thermostat and use a remote control instead?  I thought I had read that there were issues with furnace compatibility when changing over to the Atwood ACs also, possibly having to install a separate thermostat for the furnace alone?

If you have 2 roof airs, are they controlled from two separate thermostats or do you use a master/slave setup like the the original ACs?

Airstream A/C Swap

Does the blower really run nonstop?
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #7 –
They do not work with the original thermostats--- they have both local control and wireless remote control.  They are independent, not master slave.  I have Aqua hot, so no furnace issues.  I left the original stats in place.
The units are the only ones out there that I know of with two fan motors, one for the condenser and one for the evaporator.  That is one of the reasons they are so quiet.  They really cool well, and are very quiet.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #8 –
Forgot to mention, they are available both ducted and non ducted, with heat pump.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #9 –
Kemah John-I purchased the non-ducted Atwood at MOT based on your recommendation. Good call. I plan to replace the aft unit as well. Maybe an inch taller, but four inches quieter. Right? P
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #10 –
We are/were planning to replace our two Dometics (15k in front, 13.5k in the rear, both with heat pumps) with two Atwood Air Command 15k Ducted units with heat pumps. In my research, I have learned the following:
 
1. The Atwood Air Commands only have heat pumps on the 15k units.
 
2. My 4-button Comfort Control Center (CCC) will not talk to the new Atwood's, no way, no how.
 
3. Each new Atwood will require a new thermostat. That thermostat will also control my existing Atwood heaters.
 
4. The Atwood's have wiring adapters to use the existing dometic wiring, which means that the front unit can probably use the existing CCC location and wiring from there to the front location. Hopefully,  the existing front Atwood heater wiring to that location will also be usable.
 
5. The rear will require power (hopefully already at the location from the Dometic installation). It will also require control wiring from the rear location (by the shower) to the new thermostat location (probably inside the bedroom on the TV wall to simplify the new wiring) and from the rear Atwood heater to that location.
 
6. If I have an RV place install the units, I can save a LOT of money if I get that extra wiring done ahead of time.
 
7. Sellers on eBay frequently sell the Atwood roof unit without the ceiling unit which is a separate model number. Some of the sellers do sell both, but it is hard to determine whether their price is just for the roof unit, or both; the inside unit is about another $150.
 
8. I got a price quote from two local dealers. Both were about $220 a unit for installation; no discount because the guy is already up on the roof, regardless of how persuasive I tried to be.  :)  Both were "dealers" for the Atwood's. The first quoted $700 for each unit and the second about $900 each. I suspect the first one was only looking at the roof unit price, but I can always hope.  :D
 
9. I know I can do better on price through eBay, but doubt that the dealers will guarantee it, even if they would agree to install it. One advantage is "free" shipping, another is no sales tax.
 
10. This running 24/7 may be a deal breaker; will have to check with Atwood. I know we have stayed in some hotels that keep the air handling on all the time; we don't like it! Let's make that a question for all of you who have already switched: Does the motor (at least one of them) run continuously while the system is on or not?  :-\
 
It is already past my bedtime. Just wanted to keep this topic going and share what I have discovered about the Atwood Air Commands. If anyone has different information, please pass it on. Jean wants to have our new air conditioners working before we head out to HWH, Minneapolis, and Madison. I continue to be optimistic that the dash A/C will work again after I replace the belt.  ^.^d
 
This will be our longest trip yet. But I still have many things to accomplish before we can start that adventure.
 
At the moment, I am still trying to open up the utility bay to replace the valve bodies and add a third valve. Over the years, it has accumulated an enormous amount of caulking at all of the joints. Getting the screws out was relatively easy, but the caulk they used is more permanent than semipermanent. I am trying to decide between Hydrochloric or Sulfuric.  :help:  Will keep y'all posted.

Trent


 
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #11 –
As John said, I replaced both of my ACs with Atwood 15k btu heat pumps.  Work great, really quieter, installed them myself in an hour using friend's forklift.

From 12volt store, $1338 total for roof and ceiling units, non-ducted.  Don't need Dometic thermostats as the remote takes care of that function.

Thanks Kemah John, wife much happier.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #12 –
My wife is happier also--- it's actually cool in the coach now and quiet enough to hear the TV and have a conversation!  They may not be for everyone, but I certainly like the Attwood. 
I've seen a lot of threads about broken thermostats on the forum, so I like the self contained units with the remote control.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280
 

Re: Dometic HP Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Reply #13 –
Does anybody know what yeah the Dometic Penguin went to the "loud" model? I think it has to do with going from r22 to r410a. r410a runs at much higher pressures and might require more fan power or something that makes the noise..??
1998 U270 34'