Thermostat Hard To Read

80 Cruiser Rod · 03-03-2021, 05:49 PM

I'd like to change my thermostat in my camper. It's very small and very difficult to read. Do I need one specifically for RVs?

Wiscampsin · 03-03-2021, 05:54 PM

Just go to Amazon and type in 'RV Thermostats'. They have them for heat only, Heat and AC, Programmable, 12 V hard wired and battery operated all at various price points. If you have the AC controls on the AC roof unit then you just need a heat only one. They are very easy to install, I think it took me about 5 minutes to put in a heat/AC one. Make sure you note what terminals the wires are on your old one before taking it off. And make sure the wires don't fall back behind the wall.

80 Cruiser Rod · 03-03-2021, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

Just go to Amazon and type in 'RV Thermostats'. They have them for heat only, Heat and AC, Programmable, hard wired and battery operated all at various price points. If you have the AC controls on the AC roof unit then you just need a heat only one. They are very easy to install, I think it took me about 5 minutes to put in a heat/AC one.

So I definitely need a RV Thermostat?

Wiscampsin · 03-03-2021, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

So I definitely need a RV Thermostat?

Nope, Home Depot sells some that will work in an RV.

Some links for you:

Hunter Thermostat

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...de-181848.html

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...d/24108995.cfm

**Bama Rambler** · 03-03-2021, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

I'd like to change my thermostat in my camper. It's very small and very difficult to read. Do I need one specifically for RVs?

It depends on which thermostat you have now as to whether you can swap it for a residential thermostat.

If you will give us the make and model of the one you have now or post a picture of it we can tell you what you can do.

BehindBars · 03-03-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

I'd like to change my thermostat in my camper. It's very small and very difficult to read. Do I need one specifically for RVs?

Well, first we would need to know what you want to control in your camper with the thermostat. Furnace only, air conditioner only, A/C and furnace, or A/C, heat pump, and furnace? Sorry, need more information.

NavyLCDR · 03-03-2021, 08:17 PM

This is what I have replaced the standard RV thermostat for heat only with:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QW2WXRS

They also make a horizontal version that is a little cheaper. What I like about this thermostat is that it has a programmable range. Most thermostats work on +/- 1 degree. I found that narrow range caused my furnace in my Geo Pro G17RK to cycle on and off too frequently at night. I set this thermostat for a 3 degree range. So, if I set it for 68 degrees, the furnace comes on at 65 degrees and stays on until 69 degrees. This is a temperature swing to me that is still comfortable, but also eliminates the on and off cycling.

Atlee · 03-03-2021, 09:52 PM

It depends.

On my Skyline Koala and my current 2021 Coachmen FE 20SE, I only needed a Heat Only thermostat. With the Koala, I used a residential Hunter thermostat. For my current Coachmen trailer, I used a Honeywell PRO 1000 heat only, non-programmable thermostat.

My 2017 Jayco Jay Flight 23RB had a central heating/Air conditioning thermostat. For this one, I wanted to make sure the many wires went to the right place. So I bought a Coleman digital thermostat. When changing, I simply changed one wire at the time. That way, I couldn't mix up the wiring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

I'd like to change my thermostat in my camper. It's very small and very difficult to read. Do I need one specifically for RVs?

NavyLCDR · 03-03-2021, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

I'd like to change my thermostat in my camper. It's very small and very difficult to read. Do I need one specifically for RVs?

How about posting a photo of what you have now?

Atlee · 03-04-2021, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

How about posting a photo of what you have now?

Here it is. One note. The digital readout is not back lit all the time. This thermostat is not wired into the trailer's electrical system. It powered by a couple of AAA batteries. The back light will go off after a brief period.

80 Cruiser Rod · 03-04-2021, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

It depends on which thermostat you have now as to whether you can swap it for a residential thermostat.

If you will give us the make and model of the one you have now or post a picture of it we can tell you what you can do.

I'm not sure of the model but here is a picture.

80 Cruiser Rod · 03-04-2021, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BehindBars

Well, first we would need to know what you want to control in your camper with the thermostat. Furnace only, air conditioner only, A/C and furnace, or A/C, heat pump, and furnace? Sorry, need more information.

Heat and A/C

80 Cruiser Rod · 03-04-2021, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

How about posting a photo of what you have now?

Here it is.

80 Cruiser Rod · 03-04-2021, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlee

Here it is. One note. The digital readout is not back lit all the time. This thermostat is not wired into the trailer's electrical system. It powered by a couple of AAA batteries. The back light will go off after a brief period.

Thanks for Pirating my thread

Atlee · 03-04-2021, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

Thanks for Pirating my thread

I thought NavyLCDR was asking me for a pic of my thermostat mod. Sorry.

80 Cruiser Rod · 03-04-2021, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlee

I thought NavyLCDR was asking me for a pic of my thermostat mod. Sorry.

NP, hopefully both our questions will be answered.

bubbles · 03-04-2021, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

Here it is.

This is the one yours replaced. Direct swap out. Don't know if it would help your situation. It is also a Dometic and comes with the same selections you have now. There are different part numbers for what functions you now have.

bubbles · 03-04-2021, 10:19 AM

Additionally; yours is a capacitive touch stat and the other is a tactile button stat.

80 Cruiser Rod · 03-04-2021, 11:58 AM

I'm going back to my original question which hopefully will warrant a Yes or No answer. Let's Keep It Simple Stupid. With all due respect let me be the stupid one.

Do I have to stay with a RV thermostat if I want to replace mine?

bubbles · 03-04-2021, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

I'm going back to my original question which hopefully will warrant a Yes or No answer. Let's Keep It Simple Stupid. With all due respect let me be the stupid one.

Do I have to stay with a RV thermostat if I want to replace mine?

Simple answer; no. Complex answer; yes. Your Dometic stat is 3 wire digital and I don't think there is a commercial stat that will directly replace it. I think that's what I have read on this forum.

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