2018 XL 40C: Changing Rear AC to Heat Pump

[raidernation]

I am considering changing my front 13,500 BTU front AC/Heat Pump to a 15,000 BTU AC/Heat Pump, and installing the 13,500 unit on the Rear, replacing the 13,500 AC Only unit.

I am hoping this change will do 2 things.
1-Increase the cooling capacity of the front unit, as the 13,500 BTU unit struggles to keep the front part of the coach comfortable.
2-Provide a heat source in back bedroom and bathroom, as the furnace hot air ducting design is so poor that there is little or no hot air into the back bedroom.

I think # 1 is obviously easily achievable, but for # 2 I think it will take some programming changes to the "Precision Circuits" Control Panel, so that system will know that when the user selects "HEAT" on the rear system that the heat pump will come on first, and the then the furnace, which is the way my front system is currently programmed.

Is there anyone out there with a 2018 coach that upgraded their rear unit to a heat pump ? Can it be done ?

Any other comments on this proposed change would be appreciated.

Thanks

[RKNOLA]

I don't if that can be done or not but we installed a ceiling fan in our Berkshire in the livingroom which really seems to help circulate the air. The company we bought ours from was BJs RV and Marine (www.rvandmarine.com). It was the 36" 12V fan with the remote.

[Oscarvan]

Yes it can be done... But as yo pointed out it will require re-programming of the control system. good luck with that. I would call them first, although from what I hear they are not very communicative.


Happy in one of the last "steam coaches"

[AlexG]

I swapped my rear furnace to a 35000 BTU and added some ducts on the other side of the bed and it made a huge difference to keep the coach warm (and we are skiing, so spend quite some time in the cold)

My overall cost was around $400.

[raidernation]

FR says it wont work. Can't change the precision plex programming.

[zuckerburg]

Originally Posted by raidernation

FR says it wont work. Can't change the precision plex programming.

That is only for the new ones. I believe everything 2017 and older can change their AC/heat pump.

[Mmnsc]

If they have the standard Dometic thermostat it can be done, just not if the a/c are controlled on the Precision Plex panel

[dave-g]

most likely not what you want - but you could just install a separate thermostat in the rear for the heat pump.

[Oscarvan]

Of course the programming can be changed. Ask a programmer.....duh. FR just doesn't want to deal with it. MAYBE the company that makes the system does, but good luck getting to talk to them and they will probably hide behind the "proprietary" excuse.

This is one area where you CAN to learn how to do it though....

If you know the name Heathkit you are old enough to have played with the 20th century technology, and nerdy enough to learn the 21st century version of the game.

Again, fortunately I have the last of the steam coaches, if I ever get a new one I'll have to figure it out.

Or do what Dave-g suggested and put it separate thermostats.