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Old 05-27-2018, 04:36 PM   #1
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Digital Thermostat

Rockwood Mini-Lite 2503s...Replaced stock Coleman-Mach analog thermostat with digital of the same make. Easy install and works beautifully!
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:20 PM   #2
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I did the same thing last year. Much better ac control, making it easer to sleep in. Jay
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Old 05-28-2018, 01:35 PM   #3
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definitely a great mod! i just wish it had a backlight when you change the temp in the dark.
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Old 05-28-2018, 02:32 PM   #4
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definitely a great mod! i just wish it had a backlight when you change the temp in the dark.
If you can find a backlit battery operated T-stat, you can install one of those. (A non-battery model probably runs on 24VDC, not 12VDC; but if you find one that runs on 12VDC, go for it.) It probably won't have a 2-speed fan switch, but you can add that yourself, too.

I used a Honeywell RTH111, but it isn't backlit. Home Depot has a Honeywell RTH2300B that's backlit and programmable, and an RTH5100B non-programmable.

See attached for wiring details, and a potential "RV" rocker switch to use for the fan speed.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Thermostsat wiring with internal switches.pdf (194.6 KB, 122 views)
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Old 05-30-2018, 07:16 AM   #5
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Normal (home) thermostats run on 24vac (ac, not dc).

Lux makes a battery powered wifi thermostat that I (one day) hope to use.
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Old 05-30-2018, 09:23 AM   #6
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In the pop up world, the analog thermostats were terrible. Maybe they still are, but I haven't looked. The ones in the 2010 and earlier models were pretty bad. One common mod was to use a Hunter 42999 thermostat. It's cheap ($20-25), battery operated, and it fit really well in the stock location. At one point, Hunter discontinued and it was replaced by Supco 43054. I think the Supco has backlight.

Anyway, in pop-ups, it was generally preferred not to require line power from 12VDC. In fact, I'm not even sure that 12VDC was available at those super simple analog thermostats. In any case, those battery powered thermostats are good options if that's the direction you want to go. It obviously prevents you from accidentally discharging your 12V battery, since it isn't connected and the circuit is broken when you remove the AA batteries.

For my TT, replacing the thermostat was one of the first things I did. $52 from RVupgrades.com. I went with the Coleman, because it was a 1 for 1 replacement and I didn't have to customize for the fan speed. It was as easy as this video makes it look:

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Old 05-30-2018, 09:57 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by aeblank View Post
Normal (home) thermostats run on 24vac (ac, not dc).

Lux makes a battery powered wifi thermostat that I (one day) hope to use.
Yeah, my fingers worked faster than my brain.
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Old 05-30-2018, 09:59 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by 67L48 View Post

Anyway, in pop-ups, it was generally preferred not to require line power from 12VDC. In fact, I'm not even sure that 12VDC was available at those super simple analog thermostats. In any case, those battery powered thermostats are good options if that's the direction you want to go. It obviously prevents you from accidentally discharging your 12V battery, since it isn't connected and the circuit is broken when you remove the AA batteries.
These old t-stats were/are basically bimetallic switches. I believe they simply switched a 12VDC signal from/to the furnace on and off. That being said, they didn't "need" a "power supply" since they were simply switches; they had no "brains" that needed to be powered.
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2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
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Old 06-29-2018, 10:20 AM   #9
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Hello all. First post so I hope I’m doing this right! With respect to the thermostat deficiencies mentioned on the analog models, I completely agree and think that the digital upgrade should be everyone’s #1 mod. I want to thank everyone in this forum for the insights, and particularly those of you who posted detailed wiring diagrams for the battery powered Hunter and Honeywell replacements. I wired in mine several months back and am pleased to report that it works fantastically. The margin of error seems to be +\- 2 degrees so no more roasting and freezing for us!

There have been several models of thermostats mentioned, and a few comments about having to pull the unit off to replace the battery, which could result in bent pins. Fortunately the model I used has a trap door on the side allowing for easy battery replacement so I highly recommend it. But for me the more important feature is having an “auto” mode not just for the fan, but also for selection of the furnace vs. the AC. That has been worth its weight in gold! Most of the units posted on the forum are digital but require manual selection of heat or cool. I wired in the two-speed fan selector switch, but must admit I just leave it on high so maybe I should have saved myself the time.

Anyway, if others are interested here is the model we have...

—Honeywell TH5110D1006—

We simply turn it on “auto” for both the fan and the heat/cool selection and let the brains of the unit nail out temps with whatever is needed. Hope this helps and happy camping!
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Old 06-29-2018, 02:22 PM   #10
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Rockwood Mini-Lite 2503s...Replaced stock Coleman-Mach analog thermostat with digital of the same make. Easy install and works beautifully!
I also have a new trailer and I talked with my dealer on this and he said unless they do the thermostat it will void the warranty. I am not sure if this is true but I am not willing to risk it.
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