Remote thermostats

[TCedmon]

We camp at our country property at least once a month; it’s about 95 miles from home. We normally tow our RV up and back each time. But with the current cost of gasoline, we want to leave it there and bring it home every third trip or so to cut costs. We have power, water, NO septic; we can dump gray water but not the black.

Question is does anyone know of a thermostat that we operate via cell phone, so we can turn the AC down to 75 degrees before we get to our property? We set the temp to 85 when we leave and would like to cool the RV before we arrive, we are in south Texas, and it’s hot.

I looked at the Nest thermostat, not sure if we need Wi-Fi or just cell phone to access the thermostat.

Thanks,
Ed

[5picker]

You are going to need a WIFI thermostat or a cellular 4G/LTE type thermostat.
Both types are available with the WIFI version (and then using a phone app) the most common.

Do you have WIFI or cell service where your R/V is located?

And, depending on your A/C make/model, you may need to make some modifications to the thermostat/wiring to make it work.

[TCedmon]

We have cell phone service, but no wifi.
Thanks for you response, I'll look into the cellular 4G/LTE type thermostat
Ed

[cboss]

Take a look at these. I've had mine for 2 years with no issues. It does everything your asking for as long as you Wifi (internet).

https://www.microair.net/products/ea...-rv-thermostat

[TCedmon]

Originally Posted by cboss

Take a look at these. I've had mine for 2 years with no issues. It does everything your asking for as long as you Wifi (internet).

https://www.microair.net/products/ea...-rv-thermostat

I do not have WiFi just cell phone service

[phipps33]

Originally Posted by TCedmon

I do not have WiFi just cell phone service

You can get a WiFi access point for your cellular service. Thermostat would take very little data.

[TCedmon]

Originally Posted by phipps33

You can get a WiFi access point for your cellular service. Thermostat would take very little data.

I'm not that tech savvy how does that work

I do have game cameras set up out there, to watch the RV. They are cellular devices.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by TCedmon

I'm not that tech savvy how does that work

I do have game cameras set up out there, to watch the RV. They are cellular devices.

These cellular WIFI devices are often called hotspots.
Contact your cellular provider. Hotspots can often be added to your existing service for +-$50 per month.

There are other cellular hotspot providers available for even less per month.
Companies like Visible can be as affordable as certain cellular trail cameras.

[cboss]

Originally Posted by phipps33

You can get a WiFi access point for your cellular service. Thermostat would take very little data.

X2.
As others have said, get a HotSpot. You can leave it in your RV and access it from your cell phone. It works great for us.

[ESGWheel]

TC,

For a RV compatible cellular t-stat, look at the SwithceOn which explicitly states works with cell service. Here is their link: https://switcheon.com/smart-theromostat/ They are pricy ($250) and require a yearly subscription for the cell service (~ $50)

However! Whether a WiFi or Cellular device, it will require power. And this is where, if you are not tech savvy, you may be better off having someone set this up for you. I have posted about the need for a “C” wire (i.e. power) for these type of devices. See this link: https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ll-207971.html

Regardless of the challenges, I encourage you to do it. I installed my WiFi enabled t-stat a few years ago now and by far the one of the best, if not THE best feature of the RV. Not only to cool (or heat!) it up prior to arriving, when we are in bed and want to adjust the cool/heat, no need to get up, just grab the phone and all set. In the spring and fall here in New England my wife especially likes to crank up the heat prior to getting out of bed. So, sleeping 'comfortably cool' under all the blankets but cranking it up to take off the chill prior to getting up.

You can do this! And it is well worth it!

PS: if you go the Hot Spot route, then can get a home style WiFi t-stat for about $60.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by TCedmon

We have cell phone service, but no wifi.

Thanks for you response, I'll look into the cellular 4G/LTE type thermostat

Ed

If WiFi is cheaper, consider the benefit (if any) of getting an old phone to use only as a hotspot. The data consumed would be minimal but the cost of the line itself would not be zero.

We have a 3rd Visible line tethered to a travel router. It's on all the time if there's any cell connection. It costs $25/mo, plus the hardware. In your case, a cheap phone off eBay (or Swappa or whatever) probably would work.