Very Loud New Dometic A/C-Heat Pump

[Don M.]

Has anyone else had this problem. The new unit was installed summer of 2010.
Had the unit check out several times. It's running OK however the noise is unbearable to sleep at night or hear the TV when it running. When the compressor kicks in...first it sounds like someone has dropped something on the roof then it just progresses to get louder & louder. The vibration is so bad you can feel it everywhere in the coach.
The dealer contacted Dometic and they said that is just the way the new units are with the new freon. The tech said they are using the same compressor with the new freon with no modification and they have a problem. The tech even said he would not accept it but the Service manager will not do anything about it without Dometic blessing and the person we talked to sounds like she has repeated the same statement many times. Sorry but the Government made us change the way we make them and that just way they are.
Don

[Norm4015]

I have heard the same story from others with the newer air conditioners / heat pumps. I had the bedroom one replaced 1 1/2 years ago and it is noisier than the old one, but nothing like you describe.

[Harm]

My bedroom a/c was replaced summer '09 and don't know if it was the new freon or not but it's definitely louder. It has a droning noise and vibration when the compressor is on and a very loud shutdown when it cycles off. I purchased my unit new in 4-2006 and am on my third replacement a/c unit. All three times the compressor has seized up and the units have to be completely replaced. Thank God for extended warranty!

[a k]

Do you know the model #s of your units?
I have three on top of mine and I don't run the one over the bedroom at night. I was in HVAC for years and we use to us flexable discharge and suction adapters called vibration eliminators on big equiptment. I'm thinking about breaking one of mine apart and adding them to my rear unit to see if it makes a difference. My son has a truck full of them. The compressors are rubber mounted but hard piped. Something to think about. Mine are model # 630516.321

[GaryKD]

Hi Don M.,
I determined the motor running both fans was vibrating too much. I got some foam rubber (large sheet) from the local home improvement store. Removed the shroud protecting the unit. Cut & stuffed the foam rubber under and on both sides of the motor. The foam rubber now helps support the motor. The foam rubber will not allow the motor to move much in the rubber grommets that are the factory supports for the motor.

[TechWriter]

I can tell that both my original Dometic 13.5K Penguins will need to be replaced soon.

Instead of another Dometic, what about a Coleman low profile? Anyone done that?

[GaryKD]

Hi TechWriter,
Is there a Coleman model that will fit in a ceiling ducted HVAC system?

[TechWriter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD Hi TechWriter, Is there a Coleman model that will fit in a ceiling ducted HVAC system?

I think so. I'm looking at this guy, a Coleman Polar MACH 15 w/Heat Pump:
http://www.rvcomfort.com/pdf_documen...ature_copy.pdf

I just emailed Airxcel (aka Airxcel | RV Comfort) today so we'll see.

The MACH 15 is 1-inch taller than the low-profile 13.5K Penguins, but it's 15K BTU and appears to draw the same current (both need 20A circuits).

We'll see.

[DutchStar38]

I had the rear unit replaced and it is VERY noisy compared to the front old unit. One reason is that Dometic switched to plastic parts vice the old aluminum parts. The turbo fan outside creates too much air for the plastic parts and they vibrate. Anyways, heres a link for more info/complaints.....
A/C noise vibration

[yes2baystar]

We have a new Baystar 2901 purchased in late April. We've tried to use the heat pump on some cold nights and the noise/vibration was so loud I had to turn it off and use the furnace. In my opinion this is unacceptable and if this is the best Dometic can do then Newmar should find another supplier. I haven't even ran the unit on cooling yet to see how that sounds. I plan on calling my Newmar dealer tomorrow to get the ball rolling on what can be done. If anyone else has any luck on this problem please keep this post going and let us know who to call or what to do about this. Thanks so much. Happy Camping

[dagray]

I have the heat pump also and it is to loud to use at night and get any sleep. I just use the furnace.

[DutchStar38]

Believe me it is NOT quieter in A/C mode. Just make believe you have a helo landing deck on the roof. If we can get enough of us on this thread then we can send it to Dometic and Newmar and hopefully someone will listen.

[lundy]

I have a BayStar 2901 and I, too, find the heat pump extremely noisy and 'unusable'. The coach vibrates terribly.

Lundy

[TXiceman]

I am pretty sure the compressors are not louder wit the new 400 series refrigerants. More than likely it is just plain poor design on the manufacturers part. I have two new Coleman Mach series and one is a heat pump.

from what I have seen, Dometic is not nearly as well built as are the Coleman units. carrier was the best, but they dropped the RV like of A/C units.

Our previous trailer had a new Dometic on it and it was not the best. It was noisy as well.

Why not tell the manufacturer, to replace the units with Coleman units and toss the Dometic units.

Ken