Do I Need a Plenum Box In RV To Use Furrion Chill Air Conditioner

Updated 06/17/2024 | Published 09/06/2019

Question:

I have a 1994 Newmar Country Star 38foot Motorhome. The rear AC needs to be replaced. I have a ducted system, 1 supply and 1 return duct. Below the AC in the coach there are NO ceiling plenum boxes that stick below the finished ceiling. I only have wall stats to control the units. Will your Furrion AC work with out a ceiling plenum box. The AC dumps directly into and from the ducts in the ceiling? Also, any idea when or if the heat coil for this unit will be available. I use it in the early fall to take the chill off. Will my Dometic Penguin heat strip work in this unit.

asked by: Bob M

Expert Reply:

The Furrion Chill HE RV Air Conditioner System part # FR55PV will work without a plenum box because it comes with an air distribution box. The air will dump from the air distribution box from the slotted registers in the front and back of the box. This air conditioner system works with ducted or ductless systems.

Furrion is working on a heat strip for their units, but it is not avalable at this time. The Dometic penguin heat strip will not work with the Furrion unit. If you need the heating feature, I recommend Advent Air RV Air Conditioner w/ Air Distribution Box, Start Capacitor, and Heat Strip part # ACM135CH which comes with an air distribution box as well, heat strip and start capacitor. The start capacitor will allow the air conditioner to use less power when starting so you can use a smaller generator.

expert reply by: Heather A

Mark M.

6/15/2024

How do I bolt the a/c down on a ducted only system.. I don’t have the inside distribution box.. there is not cut out in the ceiling inside the rv.. I don’t see bolt holes in the tray of the a/c unit to be able to bolt the unit down securely. I don’t want to void the warranty by making my own if there is already holes to mount it! Thank you for your time!

Heather A.

6/17/2024

@MarkM There should be holes in the mounting frame of the Furrion Chill HE RV Air Conditioner System part # FR55PV if that is the unit you are referring to. There are 4 long bolts that drop down from the unit into the mounting frame through the roof. You will need to cut our own hole if you don't have one already. That is going to be a bit nerve wracking if you haven't done something like that before. We have a installers in your area if you want to have them install the AC. I attached a link of the installers in Marion that install these.

Helpful Links

installer/near-me/marion-oh/rv-air-conditioners