Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units (Read 753 times) previous topic - next topic

Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Wanting to install SoftStarts on my AC units but have no idea what I have... Photos attached. Dometic Penguin?
Walt, Dawn, Matt & the Poodles
99 36' U320 #5515 MC #17977 "Axle"
Not All Who Wander Are Lost (not original but I like it)

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #1 –
If you open the ceiling register by removing the filter, you should be able to see the model and serial number in there on a label.
My 99 320 had the 13.5K BTU Duo Term Penguins. Yours should be the same unless someone replaced them with something else.
John M.

John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #2 –
I can get you a pic of the diagram tomorrow. I just left the shop and I have 2 sitting in there.

Let me know and I will take a pic.. I think it has a dwg on it

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #3 –
Here is a copy of the service Dometic Duo Therm service manual.
John M.

http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/operating/bairducted.pdf
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #4 –
Thanks Gentlemen. I removed the inside filter cover and cut back the thin insulation sealing the duct but covering the label. John, looks like I have the Duo Therms like you had originally. Thanks guys for your help! Now to continue the installation....
Walt, Dawn, Matt & the Poodles
99 36' U320 #5515 MC #17977 "Axle"
Not All Who Wander Are Lost (not original but I like it)

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #5 –
Where are you sourcing your SoftStart units?
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #6 –
Buy EasyStart™ Soft Starters Direct from the Manufacturer – Micro-Air, Inc.

These are the most common ones, I have not done it yet, but know many who have, and they had good things to say
Prior 2003 U295  40ft  400Hp -Sold
2020 F350 Tremor - Sold
2021 Bundutec Roadrunner - Sold
2017 Airstream Classic - Sold that POS
2017 F250 - Sold
2019 Sprinter Van - Sold
2022 Winnebago Revel 4x4


Army Airborne Vet.

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #7 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
Where are you sourcing your SoftStart units?
Time Fiedler sells them check out his link at the bottom of his posts.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #8 –
New SoftStarts and run capacitors are installed and working well. Flipped the switch and no smoke. It was a good day!
Walt, Dawn, Matt & the Poodles
99 36' U320 #5515 MC #17977 "Axle"
Not All Who Wander Are Lost (not original but I like it)

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #9 –
Walt which soft starts did you go with?

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #10 –
Hi Ken,
Purchased SoftStartRV units via RVTravel (an online RV newsletter that Dawn & I enjoy reading & supporting). *https://www.softstartusa.com/products/

*https://www.rvtravel.com/soft-start-mike-949/  (review by Mike Sokol).
Walt, Dawn, Matt & the Poodles
99 36' U320 #5515 MC #17977 "Axle"
Not All Who Wander Are Lost (not original but I like it)

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #11 –
Question, if you have 2 roof airs that you want to run on 30amp, do you need to use a softstart for both units?  Or could you start 1 AC 1st all the time without a soft-start and only need a Soft-start for the 2nd unit?

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Tommy D –
Question, if you have 2 roof airs that you want to run on 30amp, do you need to use a softstart for both units?  Or could you start 1 AC 1st all the time without a soft-start and only need a Soft-start for the 2nd unit?
According to the video below, you would need 2 soft-start modules, one on each A/C unit.

I bought one module from Micro-Air.  I got the 364 Soft Starter plus the 364 Installation kit.  They get good reviews.

Came to $300 shipped (after $25 off from RVGeeks) see video link below.

Haven't installed it yet, so no first-hand experience to report.

Buy EasyStart™ Soft Starters Direct from the Manufacturer – Micro-Air, Inc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mCeNRODDxc
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Help Identifying AC Units - No Labels or Wiring Diagrams on units

Reply #13 –
As I understand, the SoftStartRV product (per Mike Sokol's review) reduces compressor startup peak amps by 50% (17.7amps/AC approx), runtime amps stays the same at 11amps/AC approx).  Therefore, two AC units would need 28.7amps to "start" one AC compressor while the other AC is "running" (plus amps required from whatever else electrically you are using...) in the Dometic Penguin II example below. Mr. Sokol also goes into greater detail but below is the snapshot of peak & runtime current load per his review. I paid $538.00 for 2 SoftStartRV's using discount code RVTRAVEL30 ($60.00 total discount).
Walt, Dawn, Matt & the Poodles
99 36' U320 #5515 MC #17977 "Axle"
Not All Who Wander Are Lost (not original but I like it)