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Dometic penguin ii heat pumps chirp, screech squeal

June 11, 2022, 02:13:47 pm

Had two penguin ii heat pumps installed in 2018. Last year the front unit developed an intermittent chirp, squeal. Sometimes for a minute, sometimes up to five minutes, then resolved. Had the unit cleaned and checked at FOT in January, no problem found.

Traveled a couple weeks in Texas in May, had to run ac's almost constantly. Intermittent noise resumed in front unit. Then constant similar noise in rear unit. Bad enough we had to quit using either ac. By then we were far enough North we were ok with no ac so didnt use it for the last two weeks.

Will be returning to Texas heat this Fall, failing ac's are not an option. Tried both heat pumps for heating and cooling, no problems. Tried fan only on all three speeds, no problem. Have a mobile rv tech coming to look. Currently plan to have him install start capacitors in both units and new fan kits in both units. Is there anything in the compressor or elsewhere in the heat pumps that could create chirping, squealing, screeching noises? Any other suggestions?

Next door to 80 now, not interested in spending time on the roof.

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Re: Dometic penguin ii heat pumps chirp, screech squeal

Reply #1 – June 11, 2022, 02:26:09 pm

Probably going to have to go up on the roof.

Remove the A/C cover.

Have someone start the FAN only.  check for deflection of the mounts, fan hitting housing, etc. If it is the fan itself, a few drops of a light non-detergent oil (sewing machine oil, for example) on each end of the motor shaft may help.

Then switch to A/C so the compressor comes on.  Recheck for noise.

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Re: Dometic penguin ii heat pumps chirp, screech squeal

Reply #2 – June 11, 2022, 03:16:35 pm

I actually have a brand new condenser fan motor as a spare after having several of them lose the non replaceable bushings in them during my rv life. The Penguins still use the same motor that came in my '81 FT

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