Need new Thermostat

[gypsmjim]

We just have a simple furnace with no attached air conditioner. The thermostat we have is really crappy. First of all, the set point is merely analog with no "numbers", thus its trial and error. Second, and most of all, the on/off switch is so hard to operate I'm afraid I'll break it one of these days.

Anybody recommend a heat only thermostat that would be a better upgrade? Obviously, it would need to operate on 12V dc.

TIA

[mike837go]

The good news is that a normal 'home' thermostat would work. An RV heater only needs a 'dry closure' to create a call for heat.


However, you need an RV thermostat or an A/C capable one because you need an Off position.


A battery operated digital thermostat from one of the home stores should work.


Because I use it so infrequently, I tolerate the wide temperature swings and guessing the setting.

[Curious by Nature]

I've had good luck using baseboard thermostats, a bit overkill for running a furnace.

[klpoppe]

I actually replaced mine today with a Honeywell digital home thermostat. I had the cheap mechanical one that was useless. Took me a whole 15 minutes to switch it out. Take the red/white wire that is hooked up to the "RH" terminal and hook it up to the RH terminal on the new thermostat. Take the other wire from the "W" terminal and hook it up to the "W" terminal on the new thermostat. Test it then mount it. It's that simple. I got a non-programable one with both heat and AC controls however I am using it for heat only. It is battery powered. All it does it connect the leads when it calls for heat. It is not powered by the furnace.

[tawoo]

Hard to use (hurts fingers) has been posted many times so your not alone. You would think they could build one that is easier to shut off and on.
I took mine apart and bent the little metal clip so it works easier.

[us71na]

Dometic makes a nice digital RV thermostat. It works for heat or A/C.

They make a similar model for heat pumps.

[gypsmjim]

Here's my follow-up...

I bought a Honeywell heat only battery operated TS online. Several that posted reviews said that they installed it in an RV, so that was a good sign.

Got it in the mail just before we were leaving to go to camp, so it got installed right away.

It was snowing, so we spent the day in the TT. I set it at various temps and charted the performance. It would start the furnace at 1 degree below the set point, and stop 2 degrees above it. My thermometer on the other end of the trailer read the same as the digital temp on the unit.

Couldn't be more pleased. When we leave to go hunting, or to town to the grocery store, I can set it at 50 and it will maintain perfectly. 70 when we're inside and 60 at night.

Best of all, the on-off switch is a simple click and I don't feel like I'm going to break it.

The old unit is in the new box under the seat, as a backup just in case.

[tloynd]

Look at Home Depot for a Honeywell stat. They have many choices at great prices. I just replaced mine and it works great.