Analog (OEM) vs Digital Thermostats

[edatlanta]

Last fall I replaced my rear thermostat from the original analog to a digital. I stayed with the Coleman brand even though I know you can save some cash by using other brands. I like matching color for color on the wiring and it works. Besides the unit is still under warranty and I didn't want to risk that.
Because of the cost I didn't change the front thermostat until just now, again with the Coleman digital.
I can't help but wonder why Jayco, and others, don't use digital thermostats as an OEM item? Yes they cost a little more than a cheapie analog, but maintaining temperature much better than analog (in my case +/- 1 degree for digital vs +/- 5 degrees for analog) would seem to be a selling point for Jayco. And realistically, just how many of us could pick out such a small adder when figured into the cost of the Jayco?

Just my 2 cents. (now off of soap box).

I do love my Designer.

[dg1971]

edatlanta, your 2 cents worth make a lot of sense to me. I agree that Jayco could make a good selling point if they start including digitals in their new RV's. I have been a little annoyed at the temperature differenation that analog's allow. I am out of the 2 year warranty but do have the extended, however I think I will be switching to the digital unit very soon.

[rodro123]

I think I'll ask Jayco by e-mail and find out why they don't use Digital. I'll post there answer...

[dg1971]

Rod, I bet they will tell you its because of the pricing but you might also mention they should consider it as an option in future models.

[bigfoot]

Where did you get the digital and how much did it cost?

[edatlanta]

Coleman thermostats are not easy to find, but the best place I found is https://www.makariosrv.com/. You will have to have your model number of your a/c in order to get the right one, but when you do it is 5 wires to attach and color coded. 5 minute install.

[Seann45]

I switched mine out for a Hunter took all of 10 min to do

[edatlanta]

Does the two speed fan work with the Hunter? My Coleman t'stat has a hi/lo switch for the two speed fan. I seem to recall others have had to install a separate switch for this feature to work.

[wiscampsin]

I installed a switch on the side of my Hunter digital to control the hi/lo speed, works just fine.

[edatlanta]

Great. I'm glad we both have digitals now. It should have been this way from the factory.

[rodro123]

Originally Posted by rodro123

I think I'll ask Jayco by e-mail and find out why they don't use Digital. I'll post there answer...

I asked if I were to convert my thermastat to digital what would be the proper one to buy.

The following is the answer from Jayco by e-mail.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us here at Jayco. Jayco
does not offer the digital thermostat. Therefore would not suggest and does not recommend this install. Please understand if you do choose to make the aftermarket install any issues caused by the install and the thermostat itself or equipment it controls will not be covered under the Jayco warranty.
Thanks again and happy camping.


Sincerely,
Tony Bontrager
Customer Service Specialist

[edatlanta]

That is why I used the Coleman recommended thermostat for both of my installs. Yes I paid a boat load of money for the Coleman's, but I don't want problems.
As a former warranty manager for a major corporation, Jayco's position is fully expected. If they didn't install it, they didn't engineer it, and they won't warranty it. No surprise here.

[av8arkie]

Originally Posted by edatlanta

Last fall I replaced my rear thermostat from the original analog to a digital. I stayed with the Coleman brand even though I know you can save some cash by using other brands. I like matching color for color on the wiring and it works. Besides the unit is still under warranty and I didn't want to risk that.
Because of the cost I didn't change the front thermostat until just now, again with the Coleman digital.
I can't help but wonder why Jayco, and others, don't use digital thermostats as an OEM item? Yes they cost a little more than a cheapie analog, but maintaining temperature much better than analog (in my case +/- 1 degree for digital vs +/- 5 degrees for analog) would seem to be a selling point for Jayco. And realistically, just how many of us could pick out such a small adder when figured into the cost of the Jayco?

Just my 2 cents. (now off of soap box).

I do love my Designer.

Think I need a couple of em!

[Topflight]

Just replaced my OEM thermostat with the Hunter digital from Wally World.
Man, what an improvement. I love it!

Best $20 I ever spent besides my first date with DW. :hihi:

[avantidave]

Because my trailer is stored 90 miles from home, and because the site has winter power outages, and because my friend who provides the storage site for me will not accept payment for electric power, I decided I needed to use my propane furnace for freeze protection. An added benefit is the warming of the basement and underbelly from the heat duct runs, that does not happen with a portable electric heater inside the trailer.

I needed a thermostat that could be set down to 35 degrees. The only one I could find locally was the house brand at Home Depot: ritetemp. They have several models with programming, but I just got the lowest end basic model for about $20.

This has worked flawlessly. Now my trailer, with thermopane windows, and the basement are protected and I am paying for propane instead of mooching electricity from my friend (he does not care, but I do).

My next project will be the addition of a 2-speed fan switch for the air conditioning.

[edatlanta]

I'm glad it worked for you. I full time in mine and 35 degrees isn't a temp I would ever use.....<smile>. Brrrrrrrrrrr!

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I'm guess that one reason Jayco doesn't use a digital thermostat is a mechanical one may be less prone to failure than a digital one and that would reduce warranty expenses.

A stronger reason does involve cost. For example, a $10 increase in cost would not seem much to each of us but when multiplied by the number of units Jayco makes each year, that is a huge savings for Jayco if they don't pass along the difference to us. Sounds heartless but that is big business. Auto manufacturers, etc. have been doing it for years.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

I'm guess that one reason Jayco doesn't use a digital thermostat is a mechanical one may be less prone to failure than a digital one and that would reduce warranty expenses.

A stronger reason does involve cost. For example, a $10 increase in cost would not seem much to each of us but when multiplied by the number of units Jayco makes each year, that is a huge savings for Jayco if they don't pass along the difference to us. Sounds heartless but that is big business. Auto manufacturers, etc. have been doing it for years.

and the digital's require batteries... I replaced the first set after only 3 months

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Seann45

and the digital's require batteries... I replaced the first set after only 3 months

That depends on the thermostat and the batteries. I have alkaline batteries in the digital thermostat in my mobile home and they generally last 1-2 years.