Airconditioner 2022 17B, dometic 11.5 to houghton 9.5

[mr.stang]

Purchased the Houghton during Black Friday, 13% off, cost with Fl. Tax $1K. Took down the lower section of the dometic Today it came down fine, pulled wiring harnesses and 120 AC. line. Had already gone this far trying to Quiet the system down with a/c tape curving hard angles etc. to no avail. Next step is to remove the top exterior unit. The question, is there a glue down gasket, or is it just set on foam. From the inside it is hard to tell? The existing hole is too small for the Houghton, 14"x14", 14 3/16" is required as the new A/C has a flange both inside and out. No biggie, will use a jig saw with fine tooth blade. My next question will be about the digital thermostat and best way to set up a simple thermo for the LP heater. I figure there should be 12v+- and a lead to the furnace at the existing thermostat location. Any landmines waiting for me? Thanks Stan

[7Gentex]

A number of members here have installed that unit..............

I don't think you need to enlarge the existing roof hole as it should be a straight swap?

[Rockhead]

Before cutting, I would do a dry fitting of the houghton. I replaced our dometic wind tunnel with a houghton and did not have to make any cuts. Everything fit perfect

[mr.stang]

I tried the inside piece just a little too tight, but I will give it another shot, before I cut. With clearer head and more willing body.

[sofmerc]

No need to cut or enlarge the hole. I bought a new 5.0 in April of this year with the standard hole . I didn't want the Dometic, and supply chain issues precluded the Coleman.. I ought the 13,500 BTU Houghton and it fit fine in the standard 14'x14" hole.. Love the heat pump rather than a hot wire of some sort on th Dometic.....and quiet

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by mr.stang

I tried the inside piece just a little too tight, but I will give it another shot, before I cut. With clearer head and more willing body.

If you have not removed the top/outside unit - that may be the issue.......

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by mr.stang

My next question will be about the digital thermostat and best way to set up a simple thermo for the LP heater. I figure there should be 12v+- and a lead to the furnace at the existing thermostat location. Any landmines waiting for me? Thanks Stan

By simple thermostat you mean furnace only? If so, quick and easy and no landmines.

Are they still putting in those horrible manual Dometic thermostats?

Ron

[mr.stang]

Another successful day, but not that easy. If I were to guess, the A/C hole was cut with a circular saw. The person using this saw missed the 90 degree, perpendicular cut by about 5 degrees. The top hole was on the money, the bottom was a tad short. I took a rotary rasp on a drill and was able create enough room for the bottom section to fit. A little more clean up than I figured but it fits. Tomorrows job is to finish.

Dometic now uses a touch digital thermostat, it operates everything. Where they mount it on the 17B, it is hard to see unless you are looking directly at it. Worked fine however. The picture of the simple thermostat is just what I am looking for. Thanks Stan

[cpaharley2008]

I think you will be pleased with the 9.5 Houghton, the Dometic is too large for the E17 and it would cycle needlessly.

[mr.stang]

You are right Jim, it got cold but never was cool.

[mr.stang]

Alright, finished. Well except for the detail cleanup. The unit is as quiet as expected, looks great and although it is only 80 degrees, I set the stat to 60 and she is purring away. A good day. Stan

[cpaharley2008]

That is a lot better than 39 here in Pennsylvania......

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by mr.stang

Alright, finished. Well except for the detail cleanup. The unit is as quiet as expected, looks great and although it is only 80 degrees, I set the stat to 60 and she is purring away. A good day. Stan

Congrads!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by mr.stang

Alright, finished. Well except for the detail cleanup. The unit is as quiet as expected, looks great and although it is only 80 degrees, I set the stat to 60 and she is purring away. A good day. Stan

Nice work. Enjoy. You should change your trailer to 2022, it currently has 2002 in the description.

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

A number of members here have installed that unit..............

I don't think you need to enlarge the existing roof hole as it should be a straight swap?

your correct. All the in roof unducted Ac units are designed to be installed in a 14"x14" hole. Industry standard.

[H46Driver]

If you have trouble getting wires connected to run the separate furnace thermostat, call Dustin and he will talk you through it.

We LOVE the quiet Houghton - can't imagine any of the other AC manufacturers will still be selling u its once the RV makers find out about the Houghtons. You can stand directly under it and make phone calls or carry on conversations. Listening to TV is at a "normal" volume with no need to turn up and down as the compressor cycles.

[gklott]

Originally Posted by mr.stang

Alright, finished. Well except for the detail cleanup. The unit is as quiet as expected, looks great and although it is only 80 degrees, I set the stat to 60 and she is purring away. A good day. Stan

Congratulations. It's one of the most important and worthwhile upgrades.

73/gus

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by H46Driver

IWe LOVE the quiet Houghton - can't imagine any of the other AC manufacturers will still be selling u its once the RV makers find out about the Houghtons. You can stand directly under it and make phone calls or carry on conversations. Listening to TV is at a "normal" volume with no need to turn up and down as the compressor cycles.

When I did my custom mini-split install back in 2016 there was no option for a quieter rooftop AC. We had an older Dometic that was like a jet engine on the roof. The noise and vibration was incredible. I greatly appreciate the efficient, variable speed compressor of the Fujitsu and other benefits of the mini-split but for the average owner I am so glad there is a relatively easy bolt-on option that provides lower noise!! These should be on every RV sold!

[Bobbie54]

That's one upgrade I'd like to do. Or have done- I am probably not up to doing it. But so far I don't use it often enough to make it worthwhile.

[mr.stang]

Just to follow up, the analog thermostat hook up to the furnace, without the dometic digital unit was straightforward. I sold the dometic today for $700.00 on craigslist had 3 other people interested. The first person bought it for asking price. I originally tried for $850.00 no response, happy camper. Stan