Any updates on AC replacement for failing Penguin IIs?

[newmarokie]

My zone 1 AC is getting blinkey. I replaced zone 2 a year ago and had to put an AC only unit in. I did see on Camping World that they have a RJ 11 to RJ 45 adapter to get you in and out of a freshjet unit and keep using the CCC2. The freshjet now has a built-in control box that apparently wasn't included in older models. Has anyone successfully made this transition?

 

[lostinfla]

Following for when the inevitable happens. Also wondering if the Micro Air thermostat will work with the new units.

 

[TheLooks]

Supposedly the new units will work with Micro Air thermostats. I was led to believe early on that everything had to be replaced. But info is slowly coming out about compatibility. A Coleman guy at the Quartzsite RV show told me they would still plug in. I think the control box is different with a flame sense in it and may not be compatible with some thermostats.

 

[newmarokie]

Well, I can't give a report. Got on top of the coach and checked the ac out. It just needed a capacitor and a blower motor. I had a blower motor out of the rear unit that I had put in about six months before it gave up the ghost. So for $43 dollars I have cold air on again.

 

[Chuggs]

If you watch Arizona RV guy's YouTube. He was installing a Freshjet 5 on an older Penquin II coach...and couldn't get it to work with the RJ11 - RJ45 adapter.

He wound up replacing the new units control board with one salvaged from Penquin II . Another owner found the wires not in the correct position on some of these RJ12 to RJ45 adapters and got his to work with crimping on a new plug with the wiring corrected.

My experience was with a 15k Mech Only, A/C only...unit, because that was all that was in the supply chain July2025. I am waiting to see if tariffs are repealed. Paid $2200 iirc for the A/C at that time. Got scalped. New Freshjets 15k HP models are around $1800 now... hoping they might go down a bit more.

I buy whichever... electronic version or mech only version...because I'm swapping out the controller for a Penquin II CCC2 type controller. And will be wiring in the MicroAir EasyStart Breeze with BlueTooth at the same time.

People have found the standalone CCC2 boards had been replaced with a new part number...but still having issues with availability. The ones I found of the new part number were being sold for around $200. Instead of a standalone control board for $200... I decided to buy the version that is the same CCC2 compatible control board, stuck inside a metal box, wired to a 6 pin and a 3 pin molex plug, some mounting screws and a freeze sensor for the evaporator. I'll just transfer the board from the metal box (designed to mount inside the housing of those plastic ceiling air distribution panels) to the rooftop units metal doghouse that looks the same as the Penquin II's.

If you compare the Freshjet to the Penquin, the styling of the housing is different, cover screws on better, R32 refrigerant, has a blue coating on the evap coils, runs a bit quieter, capacitor value is slightly larger...but not a whole lot of anything. If you get the electronic version...they mount the control board in the return air plenum. I don't know why anyone would want to block the airflow with a controller housing.

BTW the controller in a housing for CCC2 was less than $60 on Amazon. I picked up two for my future installs. I can't remember if they include outdoor temp sensor on the Freshjet...or if that was something I salvaged from the Penquin II, but I picked up a couple of those too.

I am super happy with my CCC2 system. I have the MicroAir Easytouch and it is the Bomb. Connected to WiFi, I can control HVAC from my smartphone anywhere I go. The AGS system works with the CCC2 system to run the genny for A/C when boondocking (important feature with pets) I was not going to run cat6 wire thru my roof, and replace my thermostat for the new communication standard. I see no advantage to adding another failure point with 4 new RJ45-RJ12 wiring adapters. What the controller does isn't rocket science. It controls a relay for the compressor after a controlled delay period, it makes a FAN turn on one of three speeds, it can share information to control your furnace, temp sensor signals, temp sensors, freeze sensor... to me Freshjet adds nothing of great importance to my CCC2 equipped motorhome. It is aimed at much more recently built electronic coaches... they messed up big not making it an option to have CCC2 compatibility the same...and stupid to mount the control box of the E model in the air plenum.

 

[Chuggs]

Here's a peek inside the metal box.
PN: 3312020.000. Looks like a CCC2 Multi-zone controller to me

Amazon.com: 3312020.000 RV Thermostat Multi-Zone Kit for Dometic Comfort Control Center II (CCC2) Air Conditioners : Industrial & Scientific

Buy 3312020.000 RV Thermostat Multi-Zone Kit for Dometic Comfort Control Center II (CCC2) Air Conditioners: Thermostat Controllers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[redbaron]

View attachment 33531

Here's a peek inside the metal box.
PN: 3312020.000. Looks like a CCC2 Multi-zone controller to me

Amazon.com: 3312020.000 RV Thermostat Multi-Zone Kit for Dometic Comfort Control Center II (CCC2) Air Conditioners : Industrial & Scientific

Buy 3312020.000 RV Thermostat Multi-Zone Kit for Dometic Comfort Control Center II (CCC2) Air Conditioners: Thermostat Controllers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Is this one per unit required?

 

[Chuggs]

Yes

Is this one per unit required?

Yes, each Rooftop unit needs it's own. The dip switches on the circuit board need to be set so, that when you finish the install...the thermostat can be triggered to do a RELEARN. The thermostat then knows the topography and what it can signal to do what. Simply match the setting you have on the controlboard of your old Penquin II. For that matter, you can just move the old board over. I plan to salvage the one I have on the rear Penguin II. I may find a buyer for my one year old freshjet 5 a/c only that is already wired with an original Penquin II board and Easy Start. We only had a few days to finish the project and couldn't source anything that quickly...so I used salvaged parts.

Our last trip we hit temps anywhere between 107 and 27 degrees. With a lot of mornings that would have been primo Heat Pump weather. But we prefer to run the Heat Pump in the front...so there is less noise in the bedroom. Unfortunately, the front is where we installed an A/C only freshjet last uear to save our big trip...and no longer ger have HP availability there.

Planning on getting two Heat pumps to Install prior to next year's big trip, wherever that may be.

 

[allenlook]

The biggest problem with the FreshJet line is they have a huge failure rate right out of the box. We replaced units on brand new RVs that were failed from the get-go, and the replacement units also had a chance of being DOA!

That, and the switch to the plastic belly pans instead of the metal ones saw a lot of cracking because people really torque those things down, when really they're only supposed to be 20-ish inch pounds. That's INCH pounds, not foot pounds.

 

[Chuggs]

The biggest problem with the FreshJet line is they have a huge failure rate right out of the box. We replaced units on brand new RVs that were failed from the get-go, and the replacement units also had a chance of being DOA!

That, and the switch to the plastic belly pans instead of the metal ones saw a lot of cracking because people really torque those things down, when really they're only supposed to be 20-ish inch pounds. That's INCH pounds, not foot pounds.

Wow...important to know.

Here's the gig. When I recieved a new Freshjet5, Mech Only, A/C only the lower pan metal came bent. I contacted Dometic as a courtesy to let them know thier China mfg. was sending out damaged units. They wouldn't hear it. Even though the box I recieved had zero visible sign of damage or compression...they said it was the shippers fault. And...it was my responsibility to return it to my place of purchase to have it inspected and returned for another unit if needed. Hey! I'm leaving in a trip...it's summertime...it's hot...and I'll be gone for three months. No way I'm taking this back. I got some sheet metal tools and straightened out the bent part well enough for the Cover to attach without being stressed. They told me anything I did to it would immediately void the warranty.

You play nice...they cheat you anyway they can. I'm sure when I install a different control board...I have to assume the 2-yr warranty is immediately void. So, receiving already broken units is a huge liability to the end user.

I'm sure glad I dont make a living as an RV tech. This has to be a nightmare.

People don't want to install two or three to get the working unit. The connector dongle, I guess when they get thier inventory filled with properly wired units...may work??? But again, who wants a big metal box mounted inside the evaporator supply air plenum? I have no idea how much this would effect airflow...but It makes it more difficult to access and seems a ridiculous and potentially restrictive addition.

 

[Chuggs]

Here’s AZ RV Expert’s video, for those that want to see the details.

 

[Chuggs]

Here is another…

He makes a good point about saving the freeze sensor, and outdoor ambient temperature sensor…

Good idea to peruse these videos to see if it’s an acceptable chore…regarding your comfort level working with electricity and following wiring diagrams.

 

[allenlook]

The control boxes have been in the plenum for decades. I never understood that, given how restrictive they and all the wiring are, and the holes they make into the attic that have to be sealed up.

 

[Richpatty]

I am very glad I kept all of the old electronics from my penguin 2 that failed back in 2024. They may come in handy if I need to replace any more of my AC units….

 

[Richpatty]

So….is the compatibility issue more with firefly and silver leaf systems, or even with running the Freshjet5 with other penguin 2 units? It’s hard to believe they would design a unit that does not work with their (older) units. Sorry if this is has been answered somewhere else.