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Old 01-19-2018, 04:40 PM   #1
Bobaganoosh
 
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2024 25' Trade Wind
Tucson , Arizona
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Furnace Thermostat

I apologize if this question has been previously answered in another thread.
I am so lucky to have a beautiful, 2005, 19 ft Bambi International.
While changing my Smoke & CO2 detectors. I was wondering if anyone has replaced the old school furnace thermostat with a digital, easier to use, more accurate device. Would love some experience/advice. Thank you!
bobaganoosh
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Old 01-19-2018, 04:42 PM   #2
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I haven't. But...

1) welcome

2) congrats on your new to you Bambi

3) old school is cool [emoji41]

4) best possible username EVER!
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Old 01-19-2018, 04:54 PM   #3
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I went to Lowes and bought a cheap digital to replace the thermostat for the furnace. It works fine and made the trailer a lot more comfortable since the temperature swing between on and off is ~1 degree F. The furnace control is two wires to the thermostat. This thermostat is not associated with the air conditioner controls.

If the thermostat controls the furnace and heat pump/AC, it far more complex. Not a DIY job.

ps:
The t-stat I used was Honeywell, used for both heating and cooling in a residential situation, but I only used two of the contacts for the furnace.
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Old 01-20-2018, 05:14 PM   #4
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Furnace Thermostat

I assume those are the ones that use a couple of AA batteries to power them. The ones that don’t use batteries for power won’t work properly on a two wire system.
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Old 01-20-2018, 07:19 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum View Post
I assume those are the ones that use a couple of AA batteries to power them. The ones that don’t use batteries for power won’t work properly on a two wire system.
Correct.
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Old 01-20-2018, 08:10 PM   #6
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The inexpensive programmable with AAs works fine for us. Easy swap-out.
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Old 01-20-2018, 08:21 PM   #7
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I did that on mine. It works great. Problem with the cheapo analog version was you did not know at what temp it was going to come on. With the digital you can set it and you know it will cycle pretty close to that temperature. Also you have a good digital thermometer to tell you what the actual temperature is. Mine has two batteries and it runs down within a year. The ones with four batteries will last much longer. You can also set it at lower temperature to help with freeze protection.

Perry
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Old 01-21-2018, 03:02 PM   #8
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Digital Thermostat upgrade

Yes! We have and much for the better ! Used to have same Atwood as OP. Now Like home, simple, accurate-efficient and timed setback and preset times to Auto heat up in AM to comfy temp. An upgrade MUST and easy to do with 2 wires.

(Also got a separate multi zone wireless unit for accurate fridge freezer and icebox monitoring).

Buy the AA bat powered versions and set internal switch for GAS heating only. @30.00 at local hardware store.

The original (although original) was way off in temp selection and either too hot or too cold pending so basically 50% of time was uncomfortable running too often plus had to manually get up to activate. Original was far more Wasteful with LP and furnace on battery too.
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Old 01-21-2018, 04:16 PM   #9
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Furnace Thermostat

I plan to do a bit of research and see if I can add a couple or three relays to control fan, compressor and heat strip on my current AC unit from a smarter thermostat.

Assuming I can get wiring from thermostat location to roof unit. Currently all my controls for AC are on the air vent box...and there may not be a good path.
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Old 01-23-2018, 10:31 AM   #10
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Relay Control of AC /Heatstrip

Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum View Post
I plan to do a bit of research and see if I can add a couple or three relays to control fan, compressor and heat strip on my current AC unit from a smarter thermostat.

Assuming I can get wiring from thermostat location to roof unit. Currently all my controls for AC are on the air vent box...and there may not be a good path.
With those AC face mounted rotary switches, seems you would have to emulate turning those (parallel connections) through the external relays / controls. Think it can be done with some 12v 120v isolation high current relays controlled through a residential heat or cool switched digital thermostat.

Now, where to conceal relays, mount thermostat and wire everything together would be fun part.
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Old 01-25-2018, 05:59 AM   #11
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Yup. Especially since the AS is in winter storage at the moment.

I need to find a schematic of the A/C unit once I get the model number, and think about where to hook up with relays. Will have to consider that knobs could be set any which way and it needs to be fail-safe as well. Probably relays in series with ac supply...

Figuring blower and compressor on/off and maybe heat strip. At least it’s not a heat pump(I think?)
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Old 01-27-2018, 08:12 AM   #12
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Timer staged relay board

Remember somewhere with hvac suppliers there are multi stage relay/timer boards for this purpose. Initially triggered, each stage with a programmed time delay of X seconds follows. Would tidy the parts install, offer terminal connections and simplify the control logic proceedure.

Their control operating voltage likely 24vac but support hefty 120/240v rated output relays. Perhaps similar boards in 12 volt exist. Either way, 120v right there at the roof unit anyway and possible mounting space above the inner vents/foam filters.

Take some pics, this should be a fun one.
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Old 01-27-2018, 08:21 AM   #13
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Look up Knacro” timer boards on Amazon.
Less than 20.00. Many that might do the trick !
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Old 01-28-2018, 02:23 PM   #14
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The smart thermostat I have does the timing. Just need to get relays between 12 volt dc and 120 volt hardware in AC unit. Thanks for the data!
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Old 07-09-2018, 11:32 AM   #15
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So how did your conversion work out?

We have a 1976 Argosy that we took out for the first time and the thermostat has no on/off, just a range from between 50 or so to 80. The furnace is not hooked up to gas right now (still things to do), but because of the thermostat in the unit now, we could not turn the sucker off. It an nearly 100% of the time while in NM.

Can I just swap it out for a newer model with two wires and an on/off function?
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Old 11-05-2018, 10:15 PM   #16
Eric
 
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Vantair .. what model did you install? I'm trying to find an option to replace the analog version .. thank you so much
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Old 11-07-2018, 08:03 AM   #17
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Upgraded (accurate) Thermostat

Hi,

Many types should be able to upgrade original furnace fan. Believe we used a basic LUX $40.00 ish having internal switch/setting for either Gas or Electric heat (used gas due to propane only heat).

LUX unit is the lower beige device. (Upper sensor is a wireless 4zone temp sensor placed pods in freezer, fridge, cooler and interior. No food was loaded time of pic. 🙄

Doing it again, would have chose same LUX version with momentary display light. Hard to see settings in dark.

Far more accurate efficient for comfortable settings and evening setback with time to temp changes. Old one was either too hot or cold with only one temp and no time controls.

Big improvement ! Hope this helps.
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Old 11-09-2018, 07:03 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whit461 View Post
So how did your conversion work out?

We have a 1976 Argosy that we took out for the first time and the thermostat has no on/off, just a range from between 50 or so to 80. The furnace is not hooked up to gas right now (still things to do), but because of the thermostat in the unit now, we could not turn the sucker off. It an nearly 100% of the time while in NM.

Can I just swap it out for a newer model with two wires and an on/off function?
Easy fix -- buy a very small SPST toggle switch, drill a hole in the side of the housing of the t-stat and connect one of the wires to it, with a short jumper to the terminal the wire came from. I did this on the original t-stat in my 1987 Excella. Worked fine until I replaced he original 32-year old furnace last winter and the tech discarded the t-stat.

switch: https://www.radioshack.com/products/spst-micromini-sw
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Old 11-21-2018, 12:30 PM   #19
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Is the 4 zone sensor a separate device?
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Old 11-22-2018, 02:45 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobaganoosh View Post
Is the 4 zone sensor a separate device?
Cheers
Hank
Yup, Amazon find some years ago. Conveniently monitors any 4 temps including interior/humidity wirelessly. Great for freezer, fridge and ice box monitoring without opening to check. ⛄️
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