Im going to be replacing the rooftop A/C on the 2004 Concourse. Has anyone replaced their original Penguin unit with the newer Penguin 2 unit?
If so what did you have to do in order to make it work properly?
Rooftop A/C Replacement
Re: Rooftop A/C Replacement
Found this video that helps clarify what needs to be done to do the swap. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qQFLDr-TEE
Re: Rooftop A/C Replacement
Hey Doug,
The previous owner swapped out the original AC (4 button controlled) and replaced it with a cheap Carrier unit that is controlled manually right on the AC unit. There is no heat strip, which I think the originals had.
I had to buy a separate Suburban thermostat to operate my furnace because the 4 button controller was missing.
I wish they had replaced with an OEM type unit and had kept the controller, like it seems you are doing. By way of that video. looks like a heavy job.
Did you have to change the board like they did?
The previous owner swapped out the original AC (4 button controlled) and replaced it with a cheap Carrier unit that is controlled manually right on the AC unit. There is no heat strip, which I think the originals had.
I had to buy a separate Suburban thermostat to operate my furnace because the 4 button controller was missing.
I wish they had replaced with an OEM type unit and had kept the controller, like it seems you are doing. By way of that video. looks like a heavy job.
Did you have to change the board like they did?
2000 Ford E-350 415CI/6.8L V-10 Triton Superduty 4X4 Chinook Concourse XL Club Lounge
Re: Rooftop A/C Replacement
I am curious about this heat strip... mine is not the original, and it is a heat pump unit. Is there a heating coil on the original AC than lets you get heat if the temperature is too low for the heat pump? (sorry for hijacking it a bit here)
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
Re: Rooftop A/C Replacement
Since I don't have the original, I'm not really sure how they work, as I don't think I've ever had one before, and if I did, I never used it while in California.
I heard heat strips aren't very efficient and at most makes the rig environment just lukewarm. In a small space like the Chinooks, I think it could be good, at least to take the chill out of the air. I believe you have to run the Ac fan though.
I heard heat strips aren't very efficient and at most makes the rig environment just lukewarm. In a small space like the Chinooks, I think it could be good, at least to take the chill out of the air. I believe you have to run the Ac fan though.
2000 Ford E-350 415CI/6.8L V-10 Triton Superduty 4X4 Chinook Concourse XL Club Lounge
Re: Rooftop A/C Replacement
Mine has the heat pump but they are less than effective once the temperature outside drops to low levels. About all its good for is breaking the chill on a cool fall evening. They certainly wont heat your rig in the winter months. I havent replaced mine yet because i still have to find out if the Penguin 2 will work with my existing metal box that goes threw the ceiling or if i need to purchase a different one. Yes the Penguin 2 control board has to be replaced with the unit designed to work with the existing thermostat.Looking like about $1200 for the AC with heat pump and an additional $130 for the other control board from Dyers, free shipping however so thats a bonus.