We have the original Duo-therm roof units too and one’s AC is gone. If lucky, all it may need is a start capacitor, so think about having a trustworthy tech check that possibility before spending on a whole new unit; there are YouTube videos that describe checking it yourself. And, yes, a model change requires a thermostat adapter. There’s been much angst expressed in forums about that and incorrect or negligent tech work regarding it. It’s one place, since absorbing Duo-Therm, that Dometic hasn’t necessarily helped replacements be easy.
Unfortunately, the units’ shells are now so brittle that they crumble during removal to access the roof parts. Replacement shells are ~$136 but are touted to be of better materials than were used in 2006.
Regarding the heat pump aspect, ours both have that feature and we’ve found them useful. When watching TV in either the bedroom or the living area, the hydronics system’s heat exchangers are annoyingly loud. By running roof heat in the opposite end of the rig instead, and aiming the roof ports appropriately, interfering heating noise is effectively limited. Of course the limitation is that heat pumps don’t work in outside ambient temps much below 40F. I’d rather have the option than not, and the thermostat should already be set up for it if techs are well versed in the update parameters.
Joel
