Need need new roof air conditioners.

Topic: Need need new roof air conditioners. (Read 1411 times) previous topic - next topic

Need need new roof air conditioners.

August 12, 2023, 07:34:20 pm

We have the original roof air conditioners that are working fine for now. Being 24 years old, we can't count on them to not stop when we are away from our coach with the pooches inside. We are researching the Easy Touch thermostat and are considering getting two new Dometic roof units rather than do things piecemeal. I would appreciate any recommendations on model numbers, etc. and what others have paid to have this done. I am thinking about ordering the units and doing the install myself with a helper - has anyone else done this? Thanks.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #1 – August 12, 2023, 07:41:24 pm

If you get the newer units the only issue will be with the thermostat dip switches.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #2 – August 12, 2023, 07:55:55 pm

Craneman, Kristi asked me a silly question: "How did he get it up there?"

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #3 – August 12, 2023, 08:11:40 pm

I really like my ACs with the electric heat strips. Even with the aqua-hot, it gives you another option for keeping warm. With the right prep, we can stay warm down to 0 degrees using just electric. Pretty cheap backup capability.

Rich

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #4 – August 12, 2023, 08:15:59 pm

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – August 12, 2023, 07:55:55 pm

Craneman, Kristi asked me a silly question: "How did he get it up there?"

The same way as this one

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #5 – August 13, 2023, 01:32:34 pm

Quote from: craneman – August 12, 2023, 08:15:59 pm

The same way as this one

She "got it" when I repeated your online "handle".
Looks like it was a little bit of an over kill, but if you've got it....
At a little over 100#, I can just slide it ahead of me on a ladder - not a big deal since it weighs a lot less than a FF (used in training). I'll secure it with a rope and strap using a truss in the garage.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #6 – August 13, 2023, 01:38:27 pm

We are looking at the Penguin II (13.K BTU) and the Blizzard (15k BTU). Does anyone have any opinions or experience with either? Our current ones are 13.5k and I'm sure they will do fine. Would we get any better circulation while driving with the larger model? Because it is larger, would we be able to use just the front one while sleeping (quieter)? Is it a quieter unit? I should probably give Dometic a call regarding this.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #7 – August 13, 2023, 02:25:48 pm

I put a Penguin II 15k on the front and a 13.5k on the rear. Seems to work for us

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #8 – August 13, 2023, 02:31:24 pm

Swen,if you can hold out till Jan.head to Quartzite,all the brands have booths and you may get a free install.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #9 – August 13, 2023, 02:53:19 pm

Wonder if your new ones will also last 24+ years? Im in the same boat and almost think replacing the capacitors and adding service ports for Freon may allow another 24 year service of the old ones? Looking forward to your progress

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #10 – August 13, 2023, 05:27:31 pm

I have tried the push up the ladder trick and it was not very successful. I finally got smart and rented an air conditioner lift. It is a small fork lift mechanism that uses a hand crank winch. Much safer and easier.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #11 – August 13, 2023, 06:44:18 pm

Gone are the days of doing too much with too little. I use my little Toyota every week for something. And my back still hurts

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #12 – August 13, 2023, 09:25:14 pm

Yep. My mind keeps writing checks that my body can't cash.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #13 – August 13, 2023, 11:30:28 pm

Sven, wrote this a couple years ago, nothing has changed.

A/C recommendations

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #14 – August 14, 2023, 10:09:49 am

Quote from: John44 – August 13, 2023, 02:31:24 pm

Swen,if you can hold out till Jan.head to Quartzite,all the brands have booths and you may get a free install.

It's a lot easier to install myself than to go to Quartzite. I drove through there and it was a mad house! It was crowded and ATVs were kicking up a lot of dust. A better option for us would be to go to the FMCA event in Tucson.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #15 – August 14, 2023, 10:13:02 am

Quote from: red tractor – August 13, 2023, 05:27:31 pm

I have tried the push up the ladder trick and it was not very successful. I finally got smart and rented an air conditioner lift. It is a small fork lift mechanism that uses a hand crank winch. Much safer and easier.

I got the ladder idea from a video posted by an installer. The rope, pulley and straps are integral to the process. I would have an anchor with friction devise (carabiner or "eight plate") as insurance if things go "side ways". Mostly, it would help take weight off and stabilize as it moved up the ladder. An installer might be cheaper than renting a lift. I might also use the Kubota but it might be a trick to get it off the bucket at the roof (riskier than ladder).

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #16 – August 14, 2023, 10:37:36 am

If you decide to do it yourself label and take photos of the wires and take the old one down first. Don't do the second one until the first one is complete. I had to go back and forth a few times to verify wires. Only 3 bolts actually hold the unit down. Also while the unit is off is a good time to use some hvac foil tape to seal the area off in the air box where intake and discharge air can mix.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #17 – August 14, 2023, 11:02:56 am

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – August 14, 2023, 10:13:02 am

An installer might be cheaper than renting a lift. I might also use the Kubota but it might be a trick to get it off the bucket at the roof (riskier than ladder).

I usually try to do it myself. Searched for a while and found the best price for the dometic and found it on Amazon and had it shipped to me. Came in damaged and sent it back. This caused me to bump up against my departure date so I called a local (40m) RV place and the guy sold and installed the unit cheaper than I could buy it. Go figure. I ended up replacing both units for fear of the other 23YR old one going snake eyes on me.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #18 – August 14, 2023, 12:10:56 pm

I am going to add a question to this topic, and it may have been covered but can't find it.
I THINK I have original AC units (620315) on this coach and they seem to work ok although the rear one does not push as much cold air as the front one. I have new control boards in them because I went to a 5 button thermostat. I too am considering replacing both of them with either 13.5 or 15 units. If so do I have to upgrade to a 10 button thermostat AND can I reuse the soft start units I installed in both AC unit?

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #19 – August 14, 2023, 12:24:56 pm

The soft starts will work on the new units and they come with the later control boards so you might be able to sell the new boards. The 10 button Dometic thermostat is great.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #20 – August 14, 2023, 01:03:15 pm

Quote from: craneman – August 14, 2023, 12:24:56 pm

The soft starts will work on the new units and they come with the later control boards so you might be able to sell the new boards. The 10 button Dometic thermostat is great.

We were thinking the same thing regarding BTUs and I was going to ask you about the getting the Easy Touch thermostat so that we can control them remotely because of the dogs. The Dometic thermostat in my opinion looks nicer against the wood background, but it doesn't work remotely, apparently.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #21 – August 14, 2023, 01:28:25 pm

We have dogs too but work with the weather issue as internet is not available in many of our camping locations.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #22 – August 14, 2023, 09:31:42 pm

The lift was like 60 dollars. That is very cheap compared to damaging yourself or an air conditioner. Think safety is most important v

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #23 – August 15, 2023, 12:15:16 pm

When I learned about the lift I checked them out at HD. Around here it is $83 for the day and well worth not having the aggravation. We'll dispense with the ladder.

Re: Need need new roof air conditioners.

Reply #24 – August 15, 2023, 12:22:35 pm

We moved the coach half way out of the garage yesterday so that the A/C was directly under the bottom of the roll up door. With 11" tall Penguins, I have about 3.5" of clearance. With this restriction, we are pretty much limited to the low profile Penguin II. They seem like a good unit, but more expensive than the Furrion, for example. Are there any other recommendations?

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