Roadlotus

Hi SeaDawg, that's a good question. I think the fresh jet is basically fine. The decibels at the low speed are quite comfortable and I can run it for a few hours on solar. I had both of my hips replaced last year so I didn't use the trailer at all. When I did my traveling right after it was installed, they messed up the installation so that it dripped inside the trailer. I managed through leveling, but it was actually an issue with the install. They corrected that when I got back and then I didn't really travel much after that. I just took the trailer in for overall maintenance and upon return, I got a strange sound from the AC. It was working before I took it in, so I thought maybe they did something during maintenance. And the housing was not sitting quite right. So I took it back and they took the housing off and were able to hear the sound again and said it was the compressor. i'm just a couple months out of the two-year warranty, but I am within my overall trailer warranty that I bought with the trailer (separate from OTT) While they were checking to see if the warranty covered it, I did some investigation about moving over to a 12 V which would give me more time on solar. I'd like to be a little less dependent on electricity and I will be going to Montana to study with a teacher I see annually and I won't have hookups for almost 2 weeks on the land. But as was noted, I probably won't need AC much at all, and I will have my solar. I'm still downsizing my life and hoping to have some real time in the trailer in 2026. So I'm thinking ahead about efficiency and future proofing. The idea of running directly off the battery seems great. Although ideally the mini split seems like the best long-term plan. So the fresh jet is fine. I think most of my problems have been with the shop I've been working with 🙂 I'm going to change that, but I needed to use them for the truma recall. When they realigned the housing top of the AC, I took the trailer home and I have not heard the noise since. So I will probably just stay with what I have, but I am intrigued with this question and I'm very curious going forward. And what better place to explore this question than the experts here in the forums. I'm sure that's more information than you wanted, but I appreciate the question 🙂 -Mary

I've texted the installer for his thoughts. I wish I had more feedback from Mike at OTT. I don't want to infer too much either way, He did not shut down the idea and was willing to talk to the installer. Beyond that I want to be careful about implying anything. Maybe someone at OTT will see this thread and chime in?

Thank you everyone. I agree about MT and will be travelling through some heat to get there. (NV and AZ). I am thinking long-term mainly. I did call Jason and he referred me to Mike, who said he'd be happy to talk to the person doing the mod, and agrees it could be tricky. But I didn't hear much push back from him. So I'll keep researching, and I think the 12 volt is still on the short list - tho the Greenland looks interesting. It's pretty heavy (150 lbs). I think either would be a good mod. Guess no one has tried either yet. I think I was the first on the freshjet, and tho I was grounded due to two surgeries last year, I look forward to more travel now. I also appreciate that the OTT Service answered my call! cheers, Mary

Thank you! I sent your response to the tech and also the Turbro info. I'll call Oliver tomorrow. I figured wiring would be the hitch so thank you for the response

Hi Everyone, (2022, #1284 Road Lotus) First, yes, I am the one who traded the Penguin for the Dometic Fresh Jet - a definate improvement. And yes, now 2 years later I'm interested in lowering the decibels even further while increasing efficiency. I had a possible compressor issue with the Fresh Jet and started looking at minisplits and 12 volt units. I don't see as much progress for the minisplit for a rooftop unit, but there are a number of cool 12-volts. I found an RV shop that also likes them and has installed several and recommend the outequip (https://share.google/spwjdojULsQUUI5zf) which does look (and sound) awesome. I'm going to be off grid in Montana later in August and debating the switch. My biggest question is how hard will it be for the tech to get wiring to the battery? Is that especially have in the Elite II? Have anyone tried this mod? I have the full lithium solar package and this looks like a worthy update to extend my cooling power. Thanks in advance! Mary

@dewdev Yes, it is taller than the original Dometic

@dewdev and @rangered, I am using the existing cover inside. So nothing was changed out except the rooftop unit. And my understanding was they did use two gaskets when installing. I know I am using the existing condensation lines because I can see it going out them.

@dewdev, I had mine installed by an RV shop. According to them, no modification was needed on the entry hole and the condensation lines are the same. I did not relocate anything as far as the temperature box. I am using the existing dometic thermostat. @rangered did his own installation and can provide more details on that. He also got a lower db reading than me. I was using my phone to measure, and it looks like he has an actual db meter. I hope that’s helpful 🙂

@SeaDawg I am glad the video was helpful. My info is below and I will add that to my signature. I was just running it to share the sound level with someone else who asked. But I did run the AC for a couple hours when I was traveling last month and it dropped the battery about 20%. I have the lithium pro package which is 630 amp hours and 340 watt panels with a 3000 w inverter.

I just did a db reading from my Freshjet and it was 62 average right under the unit running it on solar. I alsi did a video for reference. IMG_2501.mov

Hi Ron, you are correct. I could not get past the noise:) I am glad any info I share is helpful!

hi Ron, I have the lithium pro package which is 630 amp hours and 340 watt panels with a 3000 w inverter.

note: I thought I had submitted this days ago, but evidently it did not go through. Hi Jim, You would use the existing air distribution face plate and thermostat that you already have. And yes, it runs through the same condensation lines. The only thing you are changing is the top unit. I also discovered yesterday that I can run the AC with my lithium batteries. A couple of hours dropped it about 20%. So it’s not long-term but it was very helpful. Sincerely, Mary aka RoadLotus

@rangeredso glad to hear it went well! I am enjoying mine, too. I did trip a breaker when I tried to use regular household current. I have an electrician who lives nearby and he set me up with a 30 amp outlet using an old air conditioner outlet that was already outside. We tested the incoming amperage and the maximum that was coming through was just under 20 A.

Hi everyone, I just got the fresh jet installed at an RV place. Total cost was $1600. It is indeed very quiet and uses the existing ADC and thermostat and they are going to sell the old penguin for me. They take 10% which is totally reasonable and means I don’t have to haul it back home. It was 108 here and I’ve been outside all afternoon so I won’t do a decibel check just yet but I will at some point. But it works fine and it is indeed very quiet.

Glad to hear that @rangered My ollie is still waiting in line for the replacement. I’m hoping it happens this week.

@Patriot I am still in the queue for getting it installed. They are backed up and I am looking forward to telling everybody more once it is in. I have ordered the unit and I am just waiting to get it put in.

Hi @SeaDawg and @Geronimo John The units in the US are either 13500 or 15000 btu If you go to the beginning of this thread, there are spec sheets that I posted which I got from my tech.

Hi @MobileJoy I won’t have the fresh jet installed for several weeks. So I can’t say either way what would be best. I live in California, so traveling to Tennessee, for the truma is not feasible. That’s why I was looking at the Houghton. The fresh jet is a new option that I hadn’t known about. But it looks good on paper. I guess I’m going to be the test case! Once it is installed, I can do a video on it and run a decibel meter if that would be helpful for folks. But right now it’s all speculation on my part. it sounds like both truma and the fresh jet have strong reviews so either one is probably a good choice. But we will see 🙂

OK, so the tech said drainage lines up. I have ordered the unit so it will be ready when they get to me. So excited!!

Hi all, I spoke with the tech regarding the Dometic Fresh Jet and here is what I know so far: -The quoted price does NOT include the interior duct feature - but you don't need it because you can use your existing one -There is no need to cut the fiberglass because it uses the same footprint. -There is no remote or heat pump on the US option at this time. -He *thinks* the drainage will be the same, but I asked him to confirm this with the company rep. He was supposed to call me back on this Friday but I did not hear back, so I have another call in today. I will update when I know. I am still in their queue for a couple more weeks, but I am planning to go with the Fresh Jet and use the existing thermostat. It will save me a lot of money and be the simplest change. I will continue to keep folks posted. I did tell him there are a number of interested people wanting to see how this goes. Thanks! Mary

@SeaDawgI have sent an email asking about whether or not the inside unit is included. I'll let you know what I hear back. Poor tech, I have sent him quite a list of questions!

Please note the shop I am working with is backed up for at least a month, so I will share more as I progress! I was fortunate the tech had the training on the new Dometic just last week and suggested it as an option when we were discussing the Houghton.

the tech I am working with just sent me this for pricing: Hello this will be a direct fit no need to retro fit anything. Dometic Freshjet 3 Series, Rooftop RV Air Conditioner 13500 BTU, White. with shipping cost $1027.58 + tax I don't know what labor will be, but because they are Dometic servicers, I am hoping it won't be more than 2 hours time. I can keep you posted, as this seems like the way to go for me. I live in CA and travelling to TN for the Truma is not an option. Plus this is MUCH less expensive and should use my existing thermostat. I don't think the heat pump or remote is available in the states yet. I have asked my tech and also asked if this will match to existing condensation drainage.

Here are all the handouts the tech (appropriately named "Jason") gave me. Some is sales advice, but there are flowcharts for retrofits and good data - you'll see the Penguin II that is in the 2022s listed. 1971602662_ACModelFlowChart2022.pdf 1834042850_acFreshJetSalesTraining2023.pdf acFreshJet_FeaturesANDBenefits_Fall2022_FINAL.pdf