Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

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Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

October 23, 2023, 05:24:47 pm

Richard Bark (rbark) helped me install two new air conditioners last week and all I had to do was "plug and play".....right. My first problem was not having an installation or owner's manual for either unit or the control boxes (that they didn't say you would need). I kept track of the wiring as I cut them and held on to the old units, just in case I needed to refer to them. Everything is in place and secured and the wiring is correct as far as I can tell. My problem is that my 5 button thermostat and the newer Micro Air we bought don't come on when connected. I am getting the required 12+volts at the RJ11 (phone jack) cable but can't get any response out of either Tstat. I talked to a couple of Dometic representatives (they don't claim to be techs). One was able to help me with the dip switches but mostly they can't tell me anything about the wiring of my particular coach. Someone on RV net said that the newer units require the 10 button, but no one at Dometic has said anything about that.
Any ideas?

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #1 – October 23, 2023, 06:00:04 pm

Not sure on this, but I believe that when I spoke to Dometic about an upgrade, I would need their new thermostat as well. I don't think our 5 button will work on the new ones!

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #2 – October 23, 2023, 06:05:51 pm

I'm pretty sure others have posted that with the newer Penguin II's, you either need the 10 button or different control boards for both A/Cs to allow them to work with the older Tstat/controller.

ETA - yup

Dometic Penguin ll

Roof AC Question, probably not going to like the answer

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #3 – October 23, 2023, 08:11:16 pm

Are you using new control boards or the original ones?

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #4 – October 23, 2023, 09:34:38 pm

You can buy the 5 button conversion boards for the new ac's, but I did that once, but not again. It would have been cheaper to get the 10 button tstat and much easier.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #5 – October 24, 2023, 01:24:34 am

Quote from: turbojack – October 23, 2023, 08:11:16 pm

Are you using new control boards or the original ones?

The new units were advertised as being multi zone and ducted so we thought it would have the boards pre-installed. We ended up having to order two control boards (box) which are installed behind the register (air vents). They are supposed to be for the 5 button thermostat as is the Micro Air we bought to replace. Neither works. I talked to three Dometic "techs" and they did not say they were incompatible (they had model numbers).

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #6 – October 24, 2023, 09:25:32 am

My penguin 2 nightmare was after a lot of research, there are many variations of the wiring for these from the factory.
I ordered the 10 button thermostat- didn't work. I called them, they said I need the single zone thermostat. It worked. Now I have to add thermostats for each zone of my aqua hot.
I don't know why Dometic screwed everything up with their new and "improved " units.
I added a Houghton in the bedroom. Quiet- PLUG AND PLAY with their remote.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #7 – October 24, 2023, 11:00:16 am

Just doing a quick search and it looks like there are 4 different circuit boards that will work on this AC.

Do you still have the original circuit boards? Have you tried them, and if so, did they not work and why?

What is the model # of the circuit boards you now have?
Do you have the # of the old circuit boards?

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #8 – October 24, 2023, 11:20:30 am

Maybe this video will help.
http://youtu.be/6qQFLDr-TEE

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #9 – October 24, 2023, 02:16:50 pm

Quote from: erniee – October 24, 2023, 09:25:32 am

My penguin 2 nightmare was after a lot of research, there are many variations of the wiring for these from the factory.
I ordered the 10 button thermostat- didn't work. I called them, they said I need the single zone thermostat. It worked. Now I have to add thermostats for each zone of my aqua hot.
I don't know why Dometic screwed everything up with their new and "improved " units.
I added a Houghton in the bedroom. Quiet- PLUG AND PLAY with their remote.

All I had to do was set the dip switch settings and the 10 button works all 3 zones for heat and 2 zones for air.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #10 – October 24, 2023, 03:24:53 pm

Quote from: turbojack – October 24, 2023, 11:00:16 am

Just doing a quick search and it looks like there are 4 different circuit boards that will work on this AC.

Do you still have the original circuit boards? Have you tried them, and if so, did they not work and why?

What is the model # of the circuit boards you now have?
Do you have the # of the old circuit boards?

I no longer have the circuit boards. Before ordering the new ones, I looked at what was involved in removing the old ones. It would have been very difficult considering how they were anchored and the very tight space.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #11 – October 24, 2023, 03:25:34 pm

Quote from: craneman – October 24, 2023, 02:16:50 pm

All I had to do was set the dip switch settings and the 10 button works all 3 zones for heat and 2 zones for air.

I don't have a 10 button. Does your have a remote (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) capability?

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #12 – October 24, 2023, 04:57:33 pm

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – October 24, 2023, 03:25:34 pm

I don't have a 10 button. Does your have a remote (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) capability?

No it is the Dometic thermostat.

Dometic Digital Comfort Control Center - White | Camping World

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #13 – October 24, 2023, 07:19:09 pm

I made a mistake, by not contacting Dometic on what ac to replace the number ac that was on the coach. I bought 2 for ducted ceiling. After I got them I found out that they would not work on this coach I was working on. I had to send them back on my dime and get the correct ones. I already had the 5 button conversion boards that I had ordered for this coach. They wouldn't take them back, so when I got the correct ac's I installed the conversion boards and 5 button tstat. I ended up doing all of that and didn't make any money, in fact went into the hole several hundred dollars. I learned a valuable lesson there. Ask the manufacturer what will work. The first ones were cheaper initially, but in the long run, were very costly, because not only did it cost me more money, but also no labor to the customer.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #14 – October 24, 2023, 07:31:50 pm

I have to comment - Dometic is absolutely the worst company for tech support and parts. They will absolutely not help you with diagnosis or ordering the correct parts if you aren't an Authorized Dealer. They won't even assist an approved mobile tech with parts. Several of the Authorized Dealers we have spoken with won't accept warranty work on Dometic products because Dometic doesn't honor their reimbursement.

I don't know the status of "right to repair" laws where they are based, but it seems they do not adhere to any.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #15 – October 24, 2023, 07:40:52 pm

I got lucky because I had bought the units from PPL and they let me return them. They hadn't been installed on the coach. The lady at PPL was able to talk to Dometic and get me the correct numbers and parts. Like I said a costly mistake.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #16 – October 24, 2023, 09:37:40 pm

The control board I ordered is designed to work with the 5 button thermostat and Micro Air easy touch is also designed to be compatible. Micro Air customer reviews have confirmed this and I can't make any pronouncements until the issue is resolved. I have been able to talk to the Dometic techs without much of a wait and they really tried to help. One did say that she was not an electrician and could not diagnose my problem since she has no idea how my rig is wired. Two others were pretty helpful with one talking me through measuring the voltage at the thermostat. My huge complaint is no installation or owner's manuals provided with the products.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #17 – October 25, 2023, 07:58:03 pm

Was there any directions with the control board on how to convert the ac to 5 button board? What model of Dometic did you get? I will check to see if I still have the directions that I used and if I do will see if I can send you copies. Ron

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #18 – October 26, 2023, 10:15:50 am

This might help you, I believe it's got pretty much all of the Dometic diagrams and instructions.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #19 – October 26, 2023, 12:27:18 pm

Quote from: Chuck Pearson – October 26, 2023, 10:15:50 am

This might help you, I believe it's got pretty much all of the Dometic diagrams and instructions.

Putting this in my file. This is a great document. I never thought the cable could be pinned wrong from back then to now.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #20 – October 26, 2023, 08:05:07 pm

Quote from: red tractor – October 25, 2023, 07:58:03 pm

Was there any directions with the control board on how to convert the ac to 5 button board? What model of Dometic did you get? I will check to see if I still have the directions that I used and if I do will see if I can send you copies. Ron

The control board I bought (319226.005) is designed to convert the newer AC units to the older 5 button thermostat. I believe all the wiring is correct based on the notes I took prior to disconnecting the old one. There are only three wires (all white) coming from the bulkhead in the front AC access in addition to the 2 RJ11 ("phone jack") cables. Two of the white wires go to the rear AC (I used ohm meter to verify) and one presumably goes to the furnace. All plugs between the roof air and the control box are connected using the 6 plug plastic connector. Two Rj 11 wires connect to the front control box with one going to the thermostat and the other to the rear AC. I've switched positions on the phone jack plugs and it makes no difference.
My problem is that despite getting 12.35v to the thermostat, neither the 5 button or Micro Air (which I am switching to) come on - nothing, no error code (I did a reset), no lights.
I will give Dometic another call tomorrow, now that I am more familiar with the wiring.

Quote from: Chuck Pearson – October 26, 2023, 10:15:50 am

This might help you, I believe it's got pretty much all of the Dometic diagrams and instructions.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #21 – October 26, 2023, 08:08:36 pm

Quote from: Chuck Pearson – October 26, 2023, 10:15:50 am

This might help you, I believe it's got pretty much all of the Dometic diagrams and instructions.

Thanks Chuck. This did provide a little more information on the thermostats. Unfortunately, the wiring diagrams did not cover my control box. They provided one on the box itself, but once it is installed, there is not reading it. I believe I took a photo of it and will check that.

Re: Ran into a problem while installing new Penguin II A/C's

Reply #22 – October 26, 2023, 09:37:17 pm

Have you verified the phone wires are pinned correctly?

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