Replace furnace thermostat with digital

[mhilley]

Has anyone replaced the original analog furnace thermostat with a digital model? The book that came with the original furnace says to use an analog thermostat but I can't imagine why. Thanks!

[Gene]

Mine came with the digital thermostat, so I guess they went to them in 2008. The wiring for the digital one may be different. It doesn't seem to have a battery—I haven't really looked—so it would need power from the 12 v. system, but an analog one would only close a circuit and not need independent power. Or, your book may simply reflect they hadn't thought about it until later. Call the A/C people (probably Dometic) and ask them what to do.

I think it's a good change because the digital one will automatically switch from heat pump to furnace when it gets several degrees below freezing.

Gene

[garry]

I replaced mine with a 12VDC but don't remember what I used this is what I copied from another post.

"Tmstat is Hunter Model 42999B digital also can use RiteTemp electronic thermostats model 6020 "Universal" from Home Depot".

[RickDavis]

I am using a low end digital thermostat on my 61, works with both the original milivolt furnace and the air conditioner. I did add a seperate switch in a closet to switch between high and low fan speed on the AC.

It was a Hunter thermostat but don't know the model. Came from Lowes for around $20.

[Lumatic]

I replaced mine with a cheap thermostat from W'mart. Get one you can program the on /off temperature. Does not matter if it says for 24v systems. It will work on 12.

[Soyboy]

Hunter from Wally World in my 1999 Safari. Works much better than the el-cheapo Atwood that come with it. Easy mod, just match the wire colors.

[mhilley]

Thanks for everybodys advice! Seems like I always get my answer here!

[dkottum]

My 2007 Safari 20 SE mfg date March 2007 came with a digital thermostat. Is yours an SE model, if that makes a difference?

Doug

[mhilley]

It is not an SE nor is it really a 2007! I know the profile says 2007 but if you choose 2006 the list doesn't show a 20' Safari, so I took the liberty of fudging up a year! So now the truth comes out! Maybe they changed in 2007.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Soyboy

Hunter from Wally World in my 1999 Safari. Works much better than the el-cheapo Atwood that come with it. Easy mod, just match the wire colors.

There is should only be 2 wires to hook up. The polarity does not matter so you can't go wrong.

[rodsterinfl]

This is an older thread but I will add that I have a 2006 that HAD an Atwood manual furnace control that I recently replaced with a Hunter 42999B model for $20 from Walmart. Basically it is a universal unit with a milliwatt to 120volt range and can be used on various systems. The furnace only hookup is 2-wire. Basically you take the old one off and install the new one. There is already a jumper wire for two-wire systems so it only needs hooked to the wires and batteries added. I also noticed that Filtrete has a multi-use model and also Honeywell (low voltage).

[Kiera]

So I bought a thermostat from Lowe's, one that runs off batteries. However when I connected it to the new thermostat I had a wire left over from the old thermostat labeled G2. What does this wire go to?
Thanks!

[Jammer]

That is a wire for controlling the fan speed.

If you want to retain control of the fan speed, you'll have to install a separate switch to do so, as RickDavis (up thread) has done.

You would need an SPDT (3 way) switch, with the center contact connected to the G terminal on the thermostat, and the other terminals connected to the G and G2 wires.

[A W Warn]

I replaced the furnace thermostat with a digital about 4 years ago. What I like about it is that the temperature swing between on and off is close to a 1 to 2 degrees. The interior stays much more comfortable.

The OP asked about the thermostat to control the furnace (2 wire on the 2000 Safari), not about a multi-function t-stat that controls furnace, heat pump, air conditioner, etc. The thermostat on my Safari is way different than the one on my Excella. On the Safari, the AC has it's thermostat mounted within the rooftop unit.

[jcanavera]

I replaced my analog thermostat on my then new 2001 Safari with a Hunter Just Right Thermostat that I picked up at Walmart for about $20.

Here's a thread I started back in 2004 where we talked about this. Bottom line it was a good move and it greatly increased our comfort level.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...ostat-246.html

Jack