Can a New Dometic 15K AC Use the Older Style Air Distribution Box?

[KJRitchie]

I'm always thinking of ways to drop money into my Airstream money pit.

My 2008 has the Dometic 13.5K Penguin II. If I ever needed to replace this unit I would go for the 15k unit.

Would I be able to reuse the existing air distribution box and the wall thermostat with a newer 15K Dometic Penguin II?

The main reason to reuse the ADB is because my interior ceiling has the vinyl and the ADB has left an outline in the vinyl which I don't think the newer style ( I think it came out in 2009) would cover up.

Thanks

Kelvin

[lewster]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I'm always thinking of ways to drop money into my Airstream money pit.

My 2008 has the Dometic 13.5K Penguin II. If I ever needed to replace this unit I would go for the 15k unit.

Would I be able to reuse the existing air distribution box and the wall thermostat with a newer 15K Dometic Penguin II?

The main reason to reuse the ADB is because my interior ceiling has the vinyl and the ADB has left an outline in the vinyl which I don't think the newer style ( I think it came out in 2009) would cover up.

Thanks

Kelvin

Shouldn't be a problem, so long as Dometic doesn't change the dimensions of the bottom of the units or the circuitry on their control boards. it happened when they went from their Series I Penguins that used their CCC-I thermostat to the new Penguin II and the CCC-II.

[wulfraat]

I think you will need a new control unit. I tried to upgrade my 2008 control unit to one of the new ones and dometic told me it was a no-go, not compatible - 2008 was an analog interface and somewhere around 2010 they went to digital.

[KJRitchie]

OK. I can live with a new thermostat. My thermostats little LCD screen is hard to see in the dark. Not really backlit well.

Kelvin

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

OK. I can live with a new thermostat. My thermostats little LCD screen is hard to see in the dark. Not really backlit well.

Kelvin

I've read that the thermostat retrofit is not as simple as screwing on another thermostat. You may want to look into it.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

I think you will need a new control unit. I tried to upgrade my 2008 control unit to one of the new ones and dometic told me it was a no-go, not compatible - 2008 was an analog interface and somewhere around 2010 they went to digital.

The OP has a 2008 Airstream, but a newer version (Penguin II) of the A/C unit which already has the upgraded control board and CCC-II thermostat. He is not using the original pieces from 2008 like you have in your trailer.

And yes, I am also a factory authorized Dometic service center……….

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by lewster

The OP has a 2008 Airstream, but a newer version (Penguin II) of the A/C unit which already has the upgraded control board and CCC-II thermostat. He is not using the original pieces from 2008 like you have in your trailer.

And yes, I am also a factory authorized Dometic service center……….

Gotcha. Bad assumption on my part that he had original equipment from 2008.

[KJRitchie]

I may be wrong with what I have. I have the original AC Dometic 13.5k so maybe it isn't the Penguin II. My Airstream was manufactured in 6/2007

Kelvin

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I may be wrong with what I have. I have the original AC Dometic 13.5k so maybe it isn't the Penguin II. My Airstream was manufactured in 6/2007

Kelvin

Kelvin, I believe you (and I) have the Penguin 1. Heat pump-A/C. Mine was manufactured in 5/06.

[KJRitchie]

Does the cable run down the wall for the Penguin II contain more wires than the Penguin I? What about the junction box inside the interior air distribution box, does that have to be replaced or does it come with the new AC?

Kelvin

[dznf0g]

I should let Lewster answer...bit I think you would only need different (more ) cabling to the thermostat IF you had 2 A/Cs (zones). I believe the new CCC2 would just have non-used functionality with the single A/C upgrade.

I also believe the junction box comes with the new A/C.

Wait, do you have Penguin I or II? I though all the Penguin IIs had the non-square bottom cover and CCC2????

[lewster]

Actually, the t/stat wire is identical for both CCC-1 and CCC-II. The problem with adding a second unit is the lack of a communication cable between the original unit (Zone 1) and the additional unit (Zone 2). You will also need a second remote temp. sensor for the new unit.

The original unit becomes the master unit and the new unit is then the slave, but when properly wired, both units operate from a single CCC.


Lew Farber
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[KJRitchie]

Just one AC on my Airstream. Can the square ADB be used on a Penguin II?

Sounds like I'd have to use the rounded ADB.

Kelvin

[joel]

Get the mod # of the inside unit and call dometic they have been helpfull to me.

[KJRitchie]

It was kinda a hypothetical question. My AC is still OK (unless something happens while in winter storage). Hoping someone had upgraded and was able to retain the square ADB.

Thanks

Kelvin