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Old 11-29-2018, 08:09 PM   #1
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Programmable Thermostat Uprade?

Can the stock thermostat be upgraded to programmable using a standard home thermostat or does it have to be specifically for an RV?

The Mac I'm looking at now comes harkens back to the 1950s.

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Old 11-29-2018, 09:13 PM   #2
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You can put a home t-stat in but you'll lose the 2-speed selection on the A/C Fan (not that it matters much: loud and extra loud). Have to make sure you use one that is self-powered (usually you can get ones that take AA batteries).

The original digital swap out (I did one on my 5th wheel about 15 years ago) used a home t-stat because there wasn't any specialized ones for RV's. Back then if you wanted to control the 2-speed A/C fan you mounted in an extra switch.
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Old 11-29-2018, 09:29 PM   #3
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you dont have to get a battery one. just make sure the Thermostat can run off of 12v (most home HVAC systems are 24v)
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Old 11-29-2018, 09:30 PM   #4
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I agree with Jamie-G (he know his stuff), but I wanted the control of the 2 speed fan and ease of color coded wires so I replaced with the Colman Mach Digital stat on mine. Direct replacement. I love it.... Much easier to use and it only has about a 1 deg temp swing vs 5+ deg before.
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Old 11-29-2018, 11:52 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
You can put a home t-stat in but you'll lose the 2-speed selection on the A/C Fan (not that it matters much: loud and extra loud). Have to make sure you use one that is self-powered (usually you can get ones that take AA batteries).

The original digital swap out (I did one on my 5th wheel about 15 years ago) used a home t-stat because there wasn't any specialized ones for RV's. Back then if you wanted to control the 2-speed A/C fan you mounted in an extra switch.
You can buy a simple SPDT switch and wire it into the Green and Gray wires and still have the two speed fan. The switches cost less than a dollar and are easy to install.
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Old 11-30-2018, 02:24 AM   #6
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This place is awesome. As usual. Thanks Jamie-G (he know his 'Stuff'), DM, L&W.

OI - I'm not an electrician. The only thing I fear more than electrical wiring is electrical wiring that's hot. LOL - I'm joking. Thanks!


For those that are curious, SPDT = single pole, double throw.
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Old 11-30-2018, 05:45 AM   #7
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I also like the Coleman digital. Keeps the fan speed option and it comes in Black, which looks good in my unit next to the black sensor and switch plate.
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Old 12-01-2018, 12:30 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Long & Winding road View Post
I agree with Jamie-G (he know his stuff), but I wanted the control of the 2 speed fan and ease of color coded wires so I replaced with the Colman Mach Digital stat on mine. Direct replacement. I love it.... Much easier to use and it only has about a 1 deg temp swing vs 5+ deg before.
Ditto on the Coleman Mach Digital Thermostat
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Old 12-01-2018, 09:39 PM   #9
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Ditto on the Coleman Mach Digital Thermostat
Unfortunately, it's not programmable and most that are are 24v, not 12. Bummer.
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Old 12-01-2018, 10:21 PM   #10
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Unfortunately, it's not programmable and most that are are 24v, not 12. Bummer.
You are correct about it not being programmable, but that was not a feature I needed.
The digital thermostat I installed is 12 v.
Took about 15 min to swap out.
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Old 12-08-2018, 03:24 AM   #11
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I’ve picked up one of these and intend to install it weekend after next:
https://www.luxproducts.com/geo/
It’s great form factor, is WiFi, can be app, web, and Alexa controlled, and best of all it can run on usb power. I’m wiring a usb power strip to my panel to power it and the Alexa, plus extra charging ports. $50 rebate from electric company means it cost is on par with other non-smart tstats I looked at. And I look forward to setting temp with my voice from the cab bunk.
I’ll report back how it goes.
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Old 12-08-2018, 01:11 PM   #12
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Wow, that pretty cool.

I guess if you use your RV a lot more it would be pretty handy but a bit overkill for the weekenders.

Plus my thermostat is in the bedroom so Alexia may not hear me from up front (esp with the AC on).
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Old 12-08-2018, 01:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Long & Winding road View Post
Wow, that pretty cool.

I guess if you use your RV a lot more it would be pretty handy but a bit overkill for the weekenders.

Plus my thermostat is in the bedroom so Alexia may not hear me from up front (esp with the AC on).
Well: The thermostat isn't listening to you. Its Alexa compatible which means it interfaces with Amazon. The microphone can be wherever you put it (even on your phone). It will just receive commands over the network from Amazon.

Note that it also works with Google's assitant.

Of course, using Alexa or Google means you have a connection to the cloud (either via WiFi to a campground, or a hotspot on your phone).

I would think that a thermostat that allows bluetooth control (Amazon) would be far more useful in an RV if you're prone to boondocking.
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Old 12-08-2018, 01:19 PM   #14
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Here is how to do it.

https://www.loveyourrv.com/rv-thermo...focuspro-5000/

I did the same thing. You just have to replace the batteries every year or two
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Old 12-08-2018, 07:53 PM   #15
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Digital thermostat

We have a 2016 ACE and would love to have s digital thermostat. Is that possible?
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Old 12-08-2018, 08:11 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by hatwate View Post
We have a 2016 ACE and would love to have s digital thermostat. Is that possible?

RVupgrades or Amazon.
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Old 12-08-2018, 08:53 PM   #17
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RVupgrades or Amazon.
That was my first thermostat upgrade. The problem I had with it was that the display had no backlight. After the first dozen times of having to find a flashlight to see what I was bumping the temperature up to in the mornings (DW has this thing about turning lights on while she is still trying to sleep, I decided to go with the Honeywell, which does have backlighting.
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Old 12-08-2018, 10:15 PM   #18
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Coleman Digital

I upgraded to the Coleman Digital but was unhappy about the way it controlled the overhead air conditioner and the heater: I was getting a lot of big temperature swings. Well duh, regardless of which thermostat is installed, none will work well if the air in the coach is not constantly circulated. So a small 120v fan circulates the air while on cooling and a 12v (if not using shore power) fan circulates the air while on heating. Miraculously, the thermostat started holding a constant temperature!
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Old 12-20-2018, 06:03 AM   #19
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Install of the Lux went well. Followed the "standard" instructions for the battery operated Honeywell upgrade, and the Lux works like a charm. I also added the high/low fan toggle. The entire install included adding a new usb and volt meter strip on my main control panel on a new 15amp circuit to my power distribution panel. I also included a wall mount Alexa. The Lux has big temp display, backlight, AA battery backup for when the usb is turned off while boondocking or in storage, and works great as a normal tstat when no wifi is available. I was hoping the app would still work locally with just my wifi in the coach, even when internet wasnt avail, but the app has this annoying thing where it wants to login first and it cant without internet. Very happy with the result.
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Old 12-20-2018, 12:27 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
Well: The thermostat isn't listening to you. Its Alexa compatible which means it interfaces with Amazon. The microphone can be wherever you put it (even on your phone). It will just receive commands over the network from Amazon.

Note that it also works with Google's assitant.

Of course, using Alexa or Google means you have a connection to the cloud (either via WiFi to a campground, or a hotspot on your phone).

I would think that a thermostat that allows bluetooth control (Amazon) would be far more useful in an RV if you're prone to boondocking.

That linked thermostat is NOT RV compatible. Requires 240 VAC input so won't work when boondocking or in a 30 AMP RV at all.
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