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Topic: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements (Read 9746 times) previous topic - next topic

what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

I did research on the various brands for replacing the originals and am a bit confused on what brand is the best for direct replacment of the factory Dometics.
I want a both heat and cool.
Suggestions?
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #1 –
I am getting ready to replace mine. I'm looking real hard at Houghton They are marketed by Rec Pro. The other one is Eco Cool, they both have people that will actually answer the phone. Also they are remote control and don't require new T/stats  and so on. They are both $1395.00
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #2 –
Bruce, I bought EcoCool.  They were to have the ceiling units in Nac in May.  They arrived less than a month ago after telling me for months on end they will be shipped next week.  I cancelled the replacement.

I am looking to use Houghtons next spring.  Ernie the floor guy has had good service from his Houghtons
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #3 –
Bruce, please call me.  713/818-3234
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #4 –
I put two(2) Tosot 15,000 BTU heat pumps on mine in February of this year. They are quiet and efficient. I was in Ohio all summer this year and only had 30 amp service, No problems . I replaced a new Furrion that made so much noise I could not hear the TV.
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #5 –
I called RecPro-Houghton and will definitely go with them. Friendly, in stock, 5% off for new customers, Reviews are good, 2 year warranty. RP-AC3800-w-kt, $1349.95 less 5%
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #6 –
I'll 2nd the Tosot model 15000 btu.  There made buy Gree who makes other brands also. I like that the heat or cool can be vented partially out the bottom.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #7 –
There are two new models of the dometic that should be investigated. Their claims are they are quieter, more efficient with built in soft starts,and lighter, with plug and play capabilities for the older models on foretravels . Freshjet 3 and 5
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Peter –
There are two new models of the dometic that should be investigated. Their claims are they are quieter, more efficient with built in soft starts,and lighter, with plug and play capabilities for the older models on foretravels . Freshjet 3 and 5

None of the Freshjet models (including the very new 7) have heat pump mode at this point.  Dan wants both A/C and heatpump operation.

ETA, it looks like the Freshjet 4 will have heat pump mode, but there's no info on its BTU capacity.  The new Freshjet models also require a new thermostat, at least per this person's post on another forum

https://www.monacoers.org/topic/10209-dometic-penguin-ii-discontinued-replaced-by-freshjet-4-5-what-dometic-says/

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

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #9 –
Two years ago, I had to replace the original Dometic. Replaced it with a Dometic penguin 15. Loud, loud.
I replaced the two rears with Houghtons. Quiet, quiet- they cool, they heat, and I can hear the ringing in my ears, whereas with Dometic- all I could hear was the loud operation.

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #10 –
Quote from: erniee –
Two years ago, I had to replace the original Dometic. Replaced it with a Dometic penguin 15. Loud, loud.
I replaced the two rears with Houghtons. Quiet, quiet- they cool, they heat, and I can hear the ringing in my ears, whereas with Dometic- all I could hear was the loud operation.
Ernie, what about the Aqua Hot, with the new Houghtons? And also how about the thermostat? Was it plug n play or something else?
2001 36' U320 Build 5901
2001 LX470

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #11 –
That was the nightmare. Even with the new Dometic , aqua hot wouldn't work.
Upon Rudy's suggestion, he advised adding 3 manual thermostats and he wired them to the aqua hot Reporter. They have worked great. The Houghtons have their own remote control thermostat- wireless. There is a holder with those units to mount it to the wall. Simple- not complicated. At my age, that scenario is most desirable..

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #12 –
Okay I changed midstream, bought the 16000 btu, heat and ac, remote and wifi from TOSOT. Amazon has a $200 coupon so shipped to my door was $1000. 2 year warranty, I called the factory and they answered and said in stock.
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #13 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
Okay I changed midstream, bought the 16000 btu, heat and ac, remote and wifi from TOSOT. Amazon has a $200 coupon so shipped to my door was $1000. 2 year warranty, I called the factory and they answered and said in stock.
do you have a ductless system?
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #14 –
Houghton can be used ducted or ductless

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #15 –
Yes, no duct work in my 1996
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #16 –
I will fire up my new Tosot today. Removed the Coleman machine 2 from my new Thor.
The engineering is impressive.

Re: what's the best brand of air conditioner for replacements

Reply #17 –
I sure that is a fine Tosot AC but only one fan motor.  I want two fan motors to suit me.

Plus,  Keith Risch is lots smarter than I am.  So, instead of installing to manual thermostats to run the AH system, he will remove the circuit boards from the old ACs and install them inside of the Houghtons or what ever AC you choose.  Work smarter not harder.  Bravo Keith
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas