Which Dometic SmartStart Fits Dometic Penguin II AC With Manual Controls Under Vent Assembly

Updated 09/08/2025 | Published 06/27/2025

Question:

I want to install a soft start on a Penguin II AC, the model with the control mounted beneath it on the ceiling. What model Dometic SmartStart do I need? Or is there another soft start you recommend?

asked by: Douglas G

Expert Reply:

Hey Douglas, the correct Dometic Smart Start for your Dometic Penguin II is the # DMC52RR which is for the Penguin II with the control mounted under vent assembly like you have.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Jameson C.

9/2/2025

Hey Douglas, did the Dometic Smart Start work well with your Penguin II AC setup? I'm curious to know how it went, as it could help others looking to install a similar setup.

Douglas G.

9/5/2025

@JamesonC WEll, Jameson, through no fault of eTrailer's, it was a nightmare. Even though I matched the air distribution box and the SmartStart both to the AC unit, Dometic appears to randomly change component layouts mid-stream. So the SmartStart instructions were at odds with what I was actually looking at. Same for the air distribution box. Dometic was no help. Zero. The unit still is not working.