How Loud is Dometic Penguin II Low Profile RV Air Conditioner
Updated 11/17/2025 | Published 12/06/2024
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Question:
I have two questions. 1 When the unit is cooling on high cool, what is the Decibels reading 6 to 8 feet away from the unit? 2 can a soft start devise be connected to the unit. Thanks.
asked by: Ken E
Expert Reply:
Hi Ken; I don't have a reading from that exact distance but I can tell you the noise level of the Dometic Penguin II Low Profile RV Air Conditioner # DMC86ZR is around 62dB. If noise is your main concern, the Dometic FreshJet 3 RV Air Conditioner # DMC39ZR is advertised as their quiet model sitting at 58 dB.
Both of these can be used with a soft start. However, as far as I know the current designs don't allow for compatibility with soft starts outside of the Dometic SmartStart. For the Penguin II you need the # DMC52RR and for the FreshJet 3 the # DMC87RR.
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Robin H.
11/17/2025
Hey Ken, how did things work out with the Dometic Penguin II and FreshJet 3 air conditioners? Did the noise level or the soft start setup meet your expectations? Your update could make it easier for the next person comparing these models.