Larry:
We have 36' 2005 Monterey that we just replaced the orig build front Dometic Penguin AC, model 630516.321. In 11 yrs of owning the coach, we had not used the heat pump features on the roof ACs since we felt that the heat pumps provided little heat for the overall fan noise generated. We instead have used a quiet portable electric oscillating heater to take the chill off in the mornings, so for us, the replacement AC unit needed only to be cooling only.
On our Monterey, we have 2 roof AC units, which I believe you also do, each AC was controlled by a single zone orig analog Dometic CCC 5 button thermostat: one for the front & kitchen AC and the other for the bath & bed AC.
5 weeks ago, we replaced the front ceiling unit. I contacted Dometic Customer Service multiple times to verify the that the new Penguin II AC unit and required new digital single zone LCD thermostat would be a drop fit into the existing ducted system, work seamless with the Hydrohot, and able to use the same in wall wire cable as the orig 630516s in order to make the new install quicker and cheaper
We choose:
- Dometic 641916CXX1C0 Polar White 15,000 BTU Penguin AC for Single Zone LCD Thermostat, purchased via Amazon for $949 with Fedex ground included.
- Dometic 3316250.000 Single Zone LCD RV Air Conditioner Thermostat, for $25 + shipping thru another online RV supply house. (The orig analog 5 button therms will not work with the current line of digital control Penguin IIs, easily)
Both were shipped and received on time. I choose to have the local Dometic dealer install the unit since I could not manhandle a 100+ lb unit up onto the roof myself. The removal & install of the new AC and thermostat took under 2 hrs and cost $165 total, inc state hazmat disposal fee. The orig in wall wire was used, but the old modular RJ plugs were cut off since the new therm expects bare wire attachments. New AC puts out much colder air, more of it, and is a little quieter too. The new therm works great with the Hydrohot also.
Note: even with the calls to Dometic Customer Service, we did discover 2 undocumented "features" of the new 641916s and that I would never have thought to ask about:
1) the new 641916 does not mount within in the orig painted 630516 plastic shroud, if that matters to you. I plan to leave my new front AC shroud white, and when I replace the rear AC next year, that will be a matching white shroud also..
2) The new 641916 does not connect up to the existing condensation drip line of the orig 630516 and currently the water drips off the low side of the coach. I am trying to work thru Dometic tech support to see if there is a retrofit condensation drain kit available for the new 641916 units, or else I'll make up my own, somehow.
I still plan to order up the available $17 vibration reduction kit from Dometic, called SVC grommet kit, that includes foam pads, anti vibration campers, and compressor grommets to get rid of any possible additional noise & vibration. LaMonte posted on this recently.
