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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Dometic Duo Therm Penguin Air conditioner problem
Post Info TOPIC: Dometic Duo Therm Penguin Air conditioner problem
Judy L


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Dometic Duo Therm Penguin Air conditioner problem
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Yesterday our LR air conditioner stopped working.  When we turn it on the fan works but it sounds like the air compressor tries to start but fails.  We have owned the trailer for about 1.5 years and as far as we know, the AC is part of the original equipment so it would be nearly 10 years old.  We don't know much about how much it was used previously but think it spent much of its time in the SW and Colorado mountains.  We're going to have it checked out this week but are trying to think through whether it makes sense to repair or maybe replace.  

There are so many questions.  Is it worthwhile to repair or would we be spending money to repair something likely to fail again in the near future.  If we decide to replace, what would we replace it with?  I've heard many horror stories about the noisy new air conditioners.  Our AC is not ducted and I would hate to get something that's even noisier than what we already have.  As it is, if we are watching TV and are afraid that we're bothering our neighbors, we switch off the LR AC and use the BR so that we can keep the volume lower.  This works well enough temporarily to keep it cool enough until we finish watching TV.  We don't require extremely cold temperatures and generally only use one AC at a time.  We don't use the BR AC at night because it makes so much noise when it comes on.

We would appreciate any insight you might have on whether to repair a unit this age or replace it.  We would also appreciate any recommendations on what type of new equipment might be reliable and quiet.



-- Edited by Judy L on Sunday 13th of March 2016 10:22:16 PM



-- Edited by Judy L on Sunday 13th of March 2016 10:23:41 PM

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Judy LeMosy

2007 New Horizons Summit 38' / 2001 Volvo 610 w/ Smart Car on bed

 
The Bear II


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It sounds like the starting capacitor may be bad on yours. Even if you have it fixed it will be living on borrowed time since other components are old.

Our Duo Therm died completely when it was 12 years old.

We replaced it with a Duo Therm Brisk 15K BTU unit.



-- Edited by The Bear II on Monday 14th of March 2016 08:30:54 AM

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Lucky Mike


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Like bear said.......it could be the starting cap or relay has or is going bad or the contacts are dirty........unfortunately due to the nature of the beast , each time it started as the cap loses its capacity the start windings heat up and become damaged............if you are handy you can pick up a Hard start kit at a HVAC supplier and put it on.....simple straight forward repair that takes more time to get the shroud off than installing the part....BUT.....it will just band-aid it and it could run for another 5 years or 5 days.......if it was me , I would put one in and start saving for the good deal that comes along at the end of season when the dealers are trying to get off last years models and clear inventory........Good luck , hopefully it all becomes a simple venture



-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 14th of March 2016 08:44:42 AM

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Judy L


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Thanks Lucky Mike and Bear II.  We found out there's a guy here in the park that's in commercial AC and he came down to check it out.  So far the jury on the capacitor is out.  It tested ok but apparently sometimes they can go bad and still have electricity flow through them.  He's going to get a replacement capacitor and see if it makes a difference.  If that doesn't do it they're going to test the compressor.  If the compressor is bad then I think for sure that we'll replace the unit.  I understand it would likely cost $5-600 to replace the compressor.

I found that Camping World sells a Penguin II Duo Therm that I hope may be similar to the original unit.  My concern is whether our replacement unit will work with the wiring and thermostat that is currently used for both the BR and LR AC units.

Keep your fingers crossed :)

 

 

 

 



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Judy LeMosy

2007 New Horizons Summit 38' / 2001 Volvo 610 w/ Smart Car on bed

 
Judy L


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It's definitely the compressor.  Anyone know of a good RV shop near Lakeland, FL?



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Judy LeMosy

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bjoyce


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RV Gas in Kissimmee, (407) 870-9842 , is someone I trust with A/C repairs and replacement. Maybe a bit far from Lakeland, but he knows his stuff and knows how to make a new Penguin II work with the old thermostat.

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Judy L


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Thanks Bill.  I saw your post over on the Escapees forum and contacted RV Gas this morning.  He's willing to come over and check out our system plus I found out he's an official Dometic service tech.  He said the last time he inquired about the retro kit to integrate the old and new systems they told him it's no longer available.  If that's the case then he thinks we would have to replace everything or repair the broken unit.  I really don't want to replace everything but I'm not sure I can see spending a lot on repairing the broken one.  Guess we'll wait to see what he finds out and then decide.  Thanks again for your post.



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Judy LeMosy

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The Bear II


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we order ours from PPL Motorhome parts www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv_parts_rv_accessories.htm

Best price I could find.

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