New thermostat change?

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Has anyone changed the new thermostats (2011) with a Honeywell thermostat? I know there are a lot of links for these, but all I've seen is using the Hunter thermostats on older units. The new thermostats are all soldered in and I have about a inch of wires to work with. Thanks!

[DAISY BOYKIN]

Just changed my thermostat last week to the hunter. There is plenty of wire. When the rv was built (forest river brand) the installer caulked the wires with silicone in the hole. Cut some of the caulking away, carefully pull some of the excess wire through the cut-a-way caulk. I just went ahead and snipped the wires where they were soldered to the factory installed thermostat. Make sure you disconnect the battery, turn off the AC power. When you turn the power back on , the A/C will go through its lock-out time out. May take about 3-4 Min's before the ac starts. There is a web site for the wiring diagram for the Hunter to the Coleman Mach. I installed a high/low speed switch. Works great on heat and cool. the Hunter has about a 1 1/2 to two degree differential where the original thermostat has about a six to eight degree.

Good luck.

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Thanks for the info. I have a Forest River 8185 5th wheel. Can't argue about your wiring, but mine just comes thru the hole (no caulk) straight to the thermostat. I've pulled on it pretty good and nothing moves. Can't get behind it very easily because my frig is there. Would you share your wiring diagram with me? Thanks1

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Also, which Hunter stat did you use?

[peskin]

If you have an old Coleman unit the thermostat was most likely built by Robertshaw controls and has a bimetal with a magnet and an anticipator slide under it for adjusting the differental ( usally adjustiable .5-10 ). The new thermostats are electronic and the differential is usally adjustable via the installer programming mode.It is set in an eprom so that it maintains it's memory for a min. of ten years without power. I would highly suggest if you change out to a new thermostat go ahead and use a Honeywell TH series thermostat. They are the best on the market and you won't be sorry. If you send me the model of your existing stat I most likely have the wiring diagrams in my file.

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Peskin, it's a new unit (2011 camper) and the unit is a Coleman-Mach part #AR7815 with 6 wires coming in (hi/low fan speed) and I'm wanting to install a Honeywell RTH5100B t'stat. Thanks

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I used the Hunter # 42995, it is available at Lowes or Home Depot for around $19.95. You will need to go to Radio Shack Store for the SPDT switch, has to be small to fit into the bottom of the thermostat. I used option # two on the diagram.

wire connections

RV WIRE is red to thermo red or R
blue, do not use-tape off.
RV wire is white to thermo white or W
RV wire is green to one side of switch
Rv wire is gray to other side of switch
center connection of switch to thermo green or G
RV wire is yellow to thermo yellow or Y

You can google "HUNTER # 42995 to Coleman Mach" it will take to many web sites for wiring diagram and instructions.

[peskin]

The RTH5100B which is also a Home Depot/Lowes model thermostat is a 24VAC only stat. You have a 12VDC system so I'm afraid that will not operate properly. According to the information sent to you on the Hunter that is a 12VDC unit. Sorry

[peskin]

Honeywell TH5220D Non-Programable 2-Stage Heat/Cool Digital Thermostat

Another option although the cost is more than double the Hunter model.
I have not ried this myself but will likely "bench test" one as soon as I get a chance.

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Would it matter what the voltage is if it's battery operated?