Analog vs. Digital Coleman Thermostat

[DadJones]

Read a lot of people who switched from the analog to Coleman digital thermostat. It's a basic 1 to 1 switch. But I am curious, for the people that have changed to the Coleman Digital, is there really much difference in the way the AC runs? Does it run more consistent or keep the temp better? Is it worth the $65?

If anyone installed a different thermostat that they really liked, I'd love to hear that too. I know when going with another brand, you lose the Low/High speeds, but I don't notice a difference in those now.

Thanks everyone.

[dbledan]

Yes! Very different with the digital version. I just swapped to the digital coleman. I believe the analog had a 4 degree swing. The digital is a 2 degree swing. Much better in terms of performance.

[DadJones]

That's great to hear.

[DavidBo]

Very worth it, and I also see little difference in fan speeds.

[DanMistyMiler]

We switched our thermostat. First change we made to our 2017 Microlite. The temperatures in the trailer would swing from smoking hot to freezing cold. Furnace was kicking on and off too much. The digital thermostat controls the swings in temperature much better.

[jbrosecity]

Last year I replaced the two analog thermostats that came with my 2019 fifth wheel. My aging eyes had a hard time seeing the tiny print on the temperature slider. The digital unit has up down arrows which change the setting one degree at a time. So it is just easier for me to use. The analog ones worked fine and are brand new and if anyone wants them, send me a private msg with any reasonable offer and I'll send them to you.

[st4]

Microaire just came out with these

[SailorSam20500]

I also did the switch a couple of years ago. Analog t-stat had temp swings large enough that the DW was constantly adjusting the temps I was always too warm or too cold. Digital keeps things comfortable.
Swap was an easy 1 for 1 wire replacement - wire colors were almost perfect but easy to figure out. While I was at it, I glued some heavier wood on the back side of the wall panel to improve the screw grip holding the t-stat.

[DadJones]

Thanks everyone....

[Johnv656]

What is the digital t-stat part number?
Thanks in advance

[CedarCreekWoody]

I made the switch but didn't see as much improvement as I hoped. It is easier to see the temp setting with the digital vs the analog slider. I expected the digital to be illuminated to read at night but it is not. I can't really tell a lot of difference in the cycling but that may be because I was never really sure of the settings with the slider.

[SniperDroid]

I changed it out at the beginning of the season. Had one trip with it, and an 88 degree and a 92 degree day. The Digital ran less often that the analog would have and still kept the inside of the trailer at a cool 72 degrees on both days. Best upgrade since the 320 toilet with the quiet closing seat!

[DavidBo]

I got this to replace my stock Coleman-Mach analog thermostat:

https://airxcel.partsvia.com/product...--CLM9430-3382

Super easy to install, basically just snip the wires and follow the color code on the little terminal strip. I also like how the display illuminates when a button is pushed. It's far more accurate, keeps the temp within a couple of degrees.
The only issue is the size, it's quite smaller than the original unit and barely covers the hole Forest River hacked into the wall. It also leaves the old mounting holes exposed, I patched those with little bits of wallpaper harvested from inside a storage bay.
The website has a variety of thermostats with cross references to older parts, and I believe Airxcel is the parent company of Coleman-Mach (or vise-versa) so their parts should match up easily.

[Utah Traveler]

Much more accurate than the old analog. only2degree swing, keeps up with a constant temp. much better.

[KEN9XL]

Originally Posted by Johnv656

What is the digital t-stat part number?
Thanks in advance

Check out Amazon - Coleman 83303862 Digital Thermostat

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=coleman+r...b_sb_ss_i_2_29

Plenty of choices

[RJKerr83301]

So does it have to be an RV thermostat or can you buy a nice blue tooth controlled thermostat?

[dbledan]

My other advice is to stuff some insulation into the wall when you remove the thermostat. It will also help to keep the swings and cycling.

[DavidBo]

Originally Posted by RJKerr83301

So does it have to be an RV thermostat or can you buy a nice blue tooth controlled thermostat?

It is possible for some residential thermostats to be used, but usually not without modification. There are a few YT videos on how to do it, the main advantage is that those tend to be cheaper than RV specific units.
There are dedicated bluetooth thermostats available for RVs, I have a WiFi one for my house and I'll certainly admit it is handy.

https://www.airxcel.com/rv/coleman-m...th-thermostats

[st4]

The new rv thermostat from microaire is WiFi operated too

[Pred]

Originally Posted by KEN9XL

Check out Amazon - Coleman 83303862 Digital Thermostat

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=coleman+r...b_sb_ss_i_2_29

Plenty of choices

Ordered and just installed the
Coleman 83303862 Digital Thermostat .

Took less than 5 minutes to swap out wire for wire. I was on the fence on whether to replace the slider thermostat and this thread convinced me to do it with the correct part. We are always looking to improve things on our 2019 MicroLite 21DS (aren't we all). Looks like it will improve the temperature swings. Thank you.