Replacement AC for ARC13AACBL2

Updated 04/02/2026 | Published 03/29/2026

Question:

WILL THE GE26RR REPLACE MY EXISTING ARC13AACBL2?

asked by: CHADWICK S

Expert Reply:

That’s a great question Chadwick, and this is one of those situations where the change in technology really matters.

The GE Appliances Low-Profile RV AC w/ Heat Pump part # GE26RR will replace your current ARC13AACBL2 setup, but it’s important to know it won’t replace just the rooftop unit by itself. With the switch to the newer R32 refrigerant and updated control systems, none of the new components are backwards compatible with older setups like yours. That means the thermostat, control board, and ceiling assembly all need to be replaced as well.

The good news is the GE26RR is a complete system, so it includes everything needed to replace your existing setup as a matched package. Once installed, all the components are designed to work together, which helps avoid compatibility issues and makes for a much smoother upgrade overall.

So yes, it will work as a full replacement for your current system, just not as a partial swap of the rooftop unit alone.

Is your current system ducted or non-ducted so we can make sure this matches your setup perfectly?

expert reply by: Heather A

Chadwick S.

4/1/2026

It is ducted. So the signal wires will just hook up to the new thermostat and everything will be good? I plan on doing this myself. If possible

Heather A.

4/2/2026

@ChadwickS Yes, for the most part you’re on the right track but since the GE26RR is a complete system, it comes with its own control box and thermostat, and those components are designed to work together. Your existing signal wires will be used to connect the new thermostat to the new control box, not the old system. I do want to be clear that you won’t be tying into your old control board at all. The new system replaces that completely, so you’ll be disconnecting the old components and wiring into the new ones per the instructions. The wiring itself is usually straightforward, but it’s important to follow the new wiring diagram rather than matching it to the old setup one for one since the systems aren’t directly compatible. The key part is that the thermostat connects to the new control box using three wires, black, red, and yellow, which handle power and communication. Your existing thermostat wiring can usually be reused for this, but you’ll want to match function rather than color since RV manufacturers don’t always follow the same color coding. So yes, you’re not far off at all, just think of it as replacing the entire control system and reusing your existing wires where they make sense.