Any updates on AC replacement for failing Penguin IIs?

[allenlook]

It's more about the control boards themselves than the Penguin/FreshJet guts. The AC unit is just dumb motors and valves. The control board has to be able to communicate over the wiring in place with whatever is on the other end, a thermostat obviously, and on multiple zone systems other AC units.

 

[Chuggs]

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.

Perhaps I'm using the wrong term.

In my limited experience (Dometic)...the controllers I have seen have either been in a metal housing on the frame of the rooftop unit...aka Newmar's Penquin II models. Or, I have seen a control panel, mounted in a separate metal box...and it is housed inside those Plastic ceiling distribution panels...aka Airstream's Penguin II models. That's my limited exposure.

The E (electronic controller incorporated) models of Freshjet 5 have a metal that mounts in the cold air passage going from the evaporator to the ducting below. I always assumed the only thing that got added to that spot would have been an optional electric grid heater. So new to me they woukd put a controller in there. Yes, closer to coach end connections, but --- to me, anyway --- a co ometely ridiculous obstacle to air flow. And if you want to check connections...you have to take the entire cover of the unit and the evaporator housing for access.

I, personally, prefer the housing were it was on our Newmar installed Penquin II. Or even the way Airstream had it...over the New Freshjet.

The Mech Only model, is designed for those Plastic Distribution panels and the standalone co troller box mounted in that. That is actually the easiest to access... no climbing on roof. But we have ducting and decorative ceiling registers instead.

 

[Chuggs]

It's more about the control boards themselves than the Penguin/FreshJet guts. The AC unit is just dumb motors and valves. The control board has to be able to communicate over the wiring in place with whatever is on the other end, a thermostat obviously, and on multiple zone systems other AC units.

Sure got that right.

 

[Chuggs]

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.

Rich, I don’t understand. They came up with a new set of extended commands…used Canbus protocol, which incidentally only takes four wires for our HWH leveler remote…. And to roll back, they —- after exhaustive testing? NOT! And an extensive delay…sent out defective conversion wiring whips.

 

[Richpatty]

It’s all hard to believe. Not sure why this is so hard for them to roll this out correctly….