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Topic: Dometic Penguin Tighten (Read 810 times) previous topic - next topic

Dometic Penguin Tighten

My front A/C unit has been making some crazy noise.  Sounds like a dying animal.  If I climb up on top and apply just some slight pressure to the outside cover it stops.  I don't think the outside cover is loose (I plan to try and tighten it anyway) since I can't get it to move or anything.  My guess is a bolt has loosened slightly somewhere.  Can someone tell me if tightening the bolts occurs from top side or bottom side?  Would save me a little time!

Thanks,
Benjie
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #1 –
Benjie,  be careful.  Those covers are quite flimsy.  Doesn't take much to crack or break after they have been in the sun for a while.  I need to replace both mine, and I don't dare mess with them until I do, cause they are going to fall apart.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #2 –
Benjie, if you are talking of the AC unit itself then they tighten from inside after removing the plastic cover and filter. Simple fix, just do not tighten too much as you are compressing a foam gasket. I doubt if this is the cause of noise. Maybe you need to oil the fan/motor shaft (depends on what you call "a Dying animal noise")
John
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #3 –
Thanks John.  I thought about that, but I don't think its a fan/motor oil issue.  It could be a screw or bolt has loosened internally allowing something to vibrate, but I'm able to apply a little downward pressure on the outside cover and the noise completely goes away.  I would think a fan/motor shaft would still make that noise even when applying a little downward pressure top side, but I could be wrong.  I'll open the thing up tomorrow morning and see what I can find.

Quote from: John Haygarth –
Benjie, if you are talking of the AC unit itself then they tighten from inside after removing the plastic cover and filter. Simple fix, just do not tighten too much as you are compressing a foam gasket. I doubt if this is the cause of noise. Maybe you need to oil the fan/motor shaft (depends on what you call "a Dying animal noise")
John
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #4 –
With the cover off (roof), also check the mounts for the fan motor. A bad mount can certainly cause harmonics and vibrations.

Even a mud dubber's nest on the fan can throw balance off enough to cause this.

So, check it visually.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #5 –
Check the compressor mounts. This was making a rattle on my unit. I could not find a replacement so fabricated one out of rubber washers. This was several years ago and noise has not recurred since.
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #6 –
I am in the middle of problem with a newer Dometic Penguin unit that is way too noisy.  The factory has a replacement grommet (mount?) kit to quieten the compressor.  It seems to have worked on mine.  Now it's the LOUD fan that they have to fix as well as the poor high temp performance.

If yours is a newer unit it may help.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #7 –
Keith,

We also have some "newer" penguins that are somewhat louder than the old ones.  Do you have a PN or source for where you got the improved compressor isolators/mount?

Thanks
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #8 –
If you take the upper cover off and have the ac running, check for vibrating lines and also you should turn the cover over and place it on top of the unit so that the air flow will be continued across the condenser coils
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Dometic Penguin Tighten

Reply #9 –
Steve,

I had to call the manufacturer and after not accepting the "It's because of the new freon that they are louder" or "It's because they are designed for ducted a/c" they finally authorized a warranty repair an authorized facility.

There are many complaints about noise from these units, both fan and compressor noise.

If you notice an increase in noise (droning) when the compressor kicks in then the kit may help.

I would suggest talking with Dometic's customer service first.  Here is their number:  800-544-4881

Keith

Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159