Thermostat

[SteveC0522]

Hi All,

We are seasonal camper and are only at the camper on the weekend. So when we leave we turn off the AC. We like to be able to turn it on when we are heading back to cool of the camper. Does anyone know if you can use a home Wifi thermostat that is controlled by an App. Or if not they make one specifically for campers? If needed we have a 2020 Cherokee 284DBH thanks in advance for any knowledge or help with this subject.

[njfishing]

You could probably use any of the wifi (not Bluetooth) thermostats that they have out now for home use like nest..Before you go this route your going to need to make sure that you have a decent wifi signal in your camper, if not there will be no way for you to connect to it remotely...

[SteveC0522]

Thanks that’s what I meant WiFi. We have a pretty decent signal too! Thanks again

[eye95]

Home thermostats are wired very differently from RV thermostats. Check to see if you are going to have to do a wiring mod before getting a home WiFi thermostat.

There is an RV wireless thermostat that I read about some months ago. It may be on the market by now. It is wired much like regular RV thermostats.

You will, of course, need a WiFi network in the RV to use the WiFi capabilities of the thermostat. To control the thermostat from remote locations, the RV WiFi router will have to have access to the Internet.

[Bama Rambler]

One thing we need to know is the model of the A/C and thermostat you have now.

If it's a Dometic it uses digital communication, and in order to change the thermostat to anything else, you have to replace the control box in the A/C. You will most likely have to be able to pull new thermostat wiring between the A/C and thermostat location.

[eye95]

The Zedly is not on the market yet, but here is the link:

https://zedly.com/a-wireless-smart-thermostat-for-rv/

[nayther]

home systems use 24 volts AC for control power. RV's use 12v dc. If using a standard residential thermostat they will be running on their own battery power, you can't pick up 24 v without other devices, etc. On some systems you can adapt a residential t'stat, don't think so on the newer systems. Basically all the thermostat is is a switch. When you want AC and the temp if above set point a contact closes to bring on the compressor and fan, these contacts don't care if 12, 24 AC or DC is passing through them but the power to "pull in" those contacts must match the magnetic coil (or SS circuit) to do the work.

[Bama Rambler]

Originally Posted by eye95

The Zedly is not on the market yet, but here is the link:

https://zedly.com/a-wireless-smart-thermostat-for-rv/

I was thinking it was pretty neat (and it is). It's supposed to be able to connect to the Dometic 3-wire system as well as 4 or 6-wire systems (Coleman, etc.).
Then I saw the price!
Wow! $250 plus a $5 a month service fee. I didn't see where you could opt out of the service fee, but if you can, that would make it a little better.

[tomkatb]

Micro air is getting into these. I purchased theirs but, have not installed it yet.

[eye95]

Originally Posted by nayther

home systems use 24 volts AC for control power. RV's use 12v dc. If using a standard residential thermostat they will be running on their own battery power, you can't pick up 24 v without other devices, etc. On some systems you can adapt a residential t'stat, don't think so on the newer systems. Basically all the thermostat is is a switch. When you want AC and the temp if above set point a contact closes to bring on the compressor and fan, these contacts don't care if 12, 24 AC or DC is passing through them but the power to "pull in" those contacts must match the magnetic coil (or SS circuit) to do the work.

The monthly service fee is probably for a cellular connection.

My main point was to counter the idea being pushed that someone could just use a home WiFi thermostat in an RV. There may be exceptions, but generally, this is not possible without doing a somewhat extensive mod.

There was a thread a few months ago where someone did this precise mod. My thought was, “Way too much trouble for the small benefit!”