Dometic Penguin II impossible to find

[Chuggs]

Our front Heat Pump is overloading...and the compressor is overheating and shutting down. Wanted to find a the identical HeatPump, CCC2, 15K unit to replace it with. 1 And after a long day of searching...everyone has basically cleared out their stock and it had been discontinued months ago. They say the Freshjet 5 is a direct replacement for the Penguin II. Problem is...it's only being offered as an Air Conditioner /wo Heat Pump. It supposedly will connect to our existing CCC2 control architecture. The Heat pump version, not even available until the Fall, of the Freshjet 5 will require an entirely different thermostat...and our RJ11 (6pin x 4 conductor) wire runs will have to be swapped to RJ 45 (8 pin x 8 conductor). If you still have an operating Penguin II...supposedly it can be adapted so the RJ45 data will be converter to its RJ11 language.

So...right this minute...we have three options...maybe.

1) Penguin II Heatpump 13.5k ???
2) Penguin II A/C only 15k ???
3) Freshjet 5 A/C only 15k

Anyone going thru this right now?

Any leads???

Anyone already install one?

 

[Neal]

What does Newmar Parts say?

 

[Chuggs]

I haven't called Joe yet.

 

[Chuggs]

Not in stock...

 

[Neal]

Try Steve Showalter

RV Dealer in Nappanee, IN | Showalter RV

Showalter RV is your local RV Dealer in Nappanee, IN. We have some of the top brand name RVs for sale at incredible prices. Stop in today to see all our RVs.

www.showalterrv.com

 

[Neal]

@GlampDaddy may be able to pick up the Showalter bat phone and find out.

 

[Neal]

@Chuggs have you checked with beloved camping world? Maybe ask Dometic directly to see what they offer for info or availability?

 

[MrsSquid]

National RV Refrigeration in Shipshewana might be a resource or have some ideas.

 

[Chuggs]

I think we'll be putting in the Freshet 5 15k A/C only... And when the Freshjet 5 Heat Pump is finally released...I'll try to reach out to the Ventana Product Specialists...and see if they can give me any clues on pulling Cat5 cord. I have a spool at home.

It will be a shame. Just got the MicroAir EZ touch RV thermostat...and really love it. I hope they make one that can speak the new language when Dometics thermostat language changes. I don't want to sound stupid...but how many wires does it take to tell something to turn ON or OFF, HEAT or COOL...and do you have AC power? Maybe the thermostat will be able to control my Boogey Lights.

 

[lostinfla]

When we replaced our rear unit, I installed a "just ac" Penguin because we never really used the heat pump option. We use the floor heat down to around 40 deg then add the Oasis if needed.

 

[Underboss]

They are no longer available. Dometic wanted to shift the manufacturing to China and Newmar refused to cover the tariffs. Newmar has shifted to using Coleman and Dometic has ceased manufacturing of the Penguin units.
The problem is the replacement units are not compatible with the KIB systems

 

[Chuggs]

When we replaced our rear unit, I installed a "just ac" Penguin because we never really used the heat pump option. We use the floor heat down to around 40 deg then add the Oasis if needed.

Wish we had foreseen this issue. I would have wanted to probably jump to the DS to get floor heat. Not an opt. for the Ventana in 2016. But then we would have had the overweight axle issue to contend with. It's always something.

Gonna try two more places...then throw in the towel on Penguin II.

 

[newmarokie]

I went through this about two months ago. The Dometic website does not offer a 15K penguin II with heat pump. I ordered one off of Amazon (not through Dometic) and when it got here it had no heat pump even though it advertised to be the heat pump model. Interestingly enough, it advertised to be the heat pump model, but invoiced as the non heat pump model.

 

[Neal]

This is going to be interesting to see how this plays out as it will affect many. I'd be on the phone with North Trail and Lazy Days as they are in reach for you, Camping World, the other vendor above someone mentioned and try to find any inventory remaining.

I rarely use or have used the heat pump as I prefer the furnace. As we don't have heated floors you better carry spare OASIS pumps. Wonder what Newmar is doing for replacements and new. If I have one fail as I'm due for mine to fail, I'll probably go to Newmar and get both replaced with whatever the replacement option is now.

Guess we have that custom gasket to contend with? Not sure, haven't replaced one yet.

 

[Neal]

13.5 K version?

Dometic Penguin II Rooftop Multi-Zone Air Conditioner with Heat Pump

Camping World

www.campingworld.com

Another source (from google search)

Dometic Penguin RV Air Conditioners

Shop Dometic Penguin RV Air Conditioners at United RV Parts. Low prices & free shipping on orders over $100. Get the best RV ACs for your camper today!

unitedrvparts.com

Dometic Penguin II W/ Heat Pump Low Profile Rooftop Air

www.rvpartscountry.com

Dometic Penguin II Air Conditioner - Hi Cap 15k BTU w/ Heat Pump - Black

13,500 BTU Low Profile Rooftop Heat Pump, Ducted or Non-Ducted Application - ADB REQUIRED. This low-profile rooftop air conditioner with sleek, futuristic styling offers premium comfort control and improved aerodynamics. A high-performance motor and fan deliver superb cooling performance. SKU...

upfitterswholesale.com

 

[Chargerman]

A few years ago when I was looking to replace my units I spoke to a Tech person at Dometic and he said that in reality Dometic does not make a 15 k unit and in fact their 15k unit is a 13.5k one with a little bigger fan. I would go with a 13.5 one and pull the fan assy from the old one in case I decided to swap the fans