Replacement for 15k Penguin AC on 5th Wheel

Updated 04/20/2025 | Published 03/26/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Furrion Chill Cube RV AC w Air Distribution Box, Thermostat - Ducted - 18,000 Btu - White

(17)

$1337.38

Furrion Chill Cube RV Air Conditioner w Air Distribution Box - Ducted - 18,000 Btu - White

(43)

$1444.48

Question:

I have two Penguin 15,000 low profile air conditioners with heat pumps on my 45 foot 5th wheel. I would like to replace the rear ac with an 18,000 furrion ducted ac. What will I have to do thermostat wise to run both acs? Im reluctant to replace the front ac without doing some presice measurements. I think I will be over 13foot 6inch which I believe is the lawful limit. By the way, I almost never use my heat pumps. Are there any other materials I need to purchase other than the thermostat?

asked by: Tom G

Expert Reply:

Hey Tom! Do you have a ducted system? The Furrion Chill Cube RV AC # FR69TD is a complete system that will run independently of your other AC. Even with the wall thermostat there is no way to tie it into your other air conditioner. However, I do think it is worth upgrading for all of the great features it has.

Realistically, you can get the # FR99TD without the thermostat to replace what you have now. This will still run off of the remote and the air distribution box so the thermostat isn't necessary. The thermostat is only required if you want to run your furnace and the Chill Cube off of the same thermostat. If that doesn't matter to you, you can leave the furnace (I'm assuming you have one) hooked up to the existing thermostat so your installation is easier and they will run independently.

The Chill Cube measures 29" wide x 14-1/2" tall x 29-1/2" deep if you want to compare that to what you have now for your overall height. If you have any other questions feel free to reach out in the comments below.

expert reply by: Robin H

Furrion Chill Cube
(click to enlarge)

Tom G.

4/16/2025

Robin, I have no interior air distribution panels for my air conditioner in my Teton 5th wheel. The a cooling air dumps directly into a plenum. The cooling air duct distributes the air through eight round air registures in the ceiling of the rv. There are also eight ceiling return air registures for the return duct directing the air back to the other side on the plenum. I can not use the standard Furrion air distribution panel. Is there a stand alone control box for the a/c that will allow me to operate the air conditioner with a thermostat or remote? I would really appreciate your help.

Robin H.

4/16/2025

@TomG I understand. Unfortunately, you will have to alter your setup and add in the air distribution box to your ducted system to use the Chill Cube. Even though the controller is built into the AC unit It is unable to function without it.

Tom

4/17/2025

@RobinH Couldn't I remove the electronics from the air distribution box, connect it to the a/c, mount them in the air plenum and use the remote to control the air conditioner?

Robin H.

4/18/2025

@Tom you could try but I don't really recommend or advise it. The remote definitely wouldn't work since it is IR and can't communicate through the ceiling.