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01-19-2018, 04:40 PM
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#1
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Bobaganoosh
2024 25' Trade Wind
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 20
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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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01-19-2018, 04:42 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
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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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01-19-2018, 04:54 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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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.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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01-20-2018, 05:14 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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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 dont use batteries for power wont work properly on a two wire system.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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01-20-2018, 07:19 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum
I assume those are the ones that use a couple of AA batteries to power them. The ones that dont use batteries for power wont work properly on a two wire system.
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Correct.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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01-20-2018, 08:10 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1987 25' Sovereign
Fort Collins
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 582
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The inexpensive programmable with AAs works fine for us. Easy swap-out.
__________________
Alumacoot
We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities.
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01-20-2018, 08:21 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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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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01-21-2018, 03:02 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 508
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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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01-21-2018, 04:16 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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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.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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01-23-2018, 10:31 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 508
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Relay Control of AC /Heatstrip
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum
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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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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01-25-2018, 05:59 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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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 its not a heat pump(I think?)
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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01-27-2018, 08:12 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 508
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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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01-27-2018, 08:21 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 508
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Look up Knacro” timer boards on Amazon.
Less than 20.00. Many that might do the trick !
__________________
Relaxing is hard work.
Vantair
2005 25ft International CCD SS
2020 GMC Sierra Denali Diesel 2500 4X4 10 spd 3.43 Int sway/tow controller
1981 Honda Trail CT110 1X0..no sway control
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01-28-2018, 02:23 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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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!
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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07-09-2018, 11:32 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
1976 Argosy 28
San antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 31
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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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11-05-2018, 10:15 PM
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#16
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Eric
2019 25' Flying Cloud
tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 45
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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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11-07-2018, 08:03 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 508
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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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11-09-2018, 07:03 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1987 32' Excella
Nepean
, Ontario
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,414
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whit461
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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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
__________________
VE3JDZ
AIR 12148
1987 Excella 32-foot
1999 Dodge Ram 2500HD Diesel
WBCCI 8080
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11-21-2018, 12:30 PM
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#19
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Bobaganoosh
2024 25' Trade Wind
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 20
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Is the 4 zone sensor a separate device?
Cheers
Hank
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11-22-2018, 02:45 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobaganoosh
Is the 4 zone sensor a separate device?
Cheers
Hank
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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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