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Topic: How does the Penguin 2 heat pump work  (Read 656 times) previous topic - next topic

How does the Penguin 2 heat pump work

I have a couple of 15K Penguin 2s with the heat pump. On the Dometic thermostat, I have both HP and Furnace options. I tested the furnace the other day and confirmed all is well. Today, I tried it on HP which I have never used before. It behaved the same as the furnace coming on. Is this how the HP should work? Or could the HP and Furnace settings are both the furnace? Or??
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: How does the Penguin 2 heat pump work

Reply #1 –
I have the same units in my 01. Furnace is the setting for letting the Aquahot or Propane furnace heat the coach. The HP setting is for the Heat Pump setting of the roof unit. Heat pumps at their core are nothing but high efficiency Air conditioners. To put it as simple as possible, an AC unit can generate Cold gas and Hot gas depending on the direction of flow of the gas. When in HP  mode, the hot gas side is being used to give you a heater feel out of the vents  BUT no where near as warm a feel as the Aquahot or Propane heater.(whichever you have). The downside to Most heatpumps is, they only have the ability to generate that heated gas approach down to certain ambient temperatures and still be efficient at keeping the coach warm. Although with modern AC technology  that has changed to a point where that ambient temperature limit is much lower than it used to be. Not sure the limit of the penguin 2, but would assume, much less than 32 deg and using the HP mode will not work too good. Having used my HP a few times at freezing or below has shown that to be the case.
Mike in AL
2001 U295
8.3 ISC 350
Build 5918

Re: How does the Penguin 2 heat pump work

Reply #2 –
In my 1999 295 40' non slide, the HP operates the roof units, and furnace setting operates the propane heater, that comes from floor vents. I can also choose zone 1 or 2, front and back, in either mode. I no longer have a front propane furnace as this was lost when the fridge was made residential. A small ceramic heater heats the front area sufficiently if needed. But the rest of it operates as advertised.....
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: How does the Penguin 2 heat pump work

Reply #3 –
Thanks. If the ambient temp was colder than 40 (or whatever temp the HP does not work), would the HP setting failover to the furnace?

I am using 5 electric heaters throughout the cabin and underside, but they are having a tough time handling the cold so I have to use the propane, which is OK but as we know, not very efficient and I don't want to run out in 2-3 days. No AQ. For now I am turning the furnace on to get a good warm temp, then turning them back down and checking back later. Repeat.
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: How does the Penguin 2 heat pump work

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Jason –

I am using 5 electric heaters throughout the cabin

Have you chaecked how many amps each is pulling, and what circuit breakers they are running on?  (in other words how many seperate wiring runs)

That could potentially be a lot of amps on the wiring runs.  May not be safe and risking a wiring fire.

We run 2 electric heaters in cold weather when too cold for heat pumps.  We run each one on low versus high, or 7 amps each on low instead of 14 amps each on high.  And plugged directly into wall outlet, never power strips or light extension cords.

Every winter house fires occur with high loaded electric heaters/extension cord use.


Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: How does the Penguin 2 heat pump work

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Jason –
Thanks. If the ambient temp was colder than 40 (or whatever temp the HP does not work), would the HP setting failover to the furnace?

I am trying to recall, but on our '03 I believe that was the case (at least with the OEM 5 button T-stat). 

Also, I seem to recall whatever the front zone was set to, heat-wise, the rear zone would be forced into the same mode.  So check to make sure both zones are set to the same mode if you have both of them on.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

SPLIT: Heatpump technology (split from Re: How does the Penguin 2 heat pump work )

Reply #6 –
One or more of the messages of this topic have been moved to Around the Fire Ring - https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=47399.0
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320