AC/Heating controls change out?

[Archer1977]

Hi All. I have a question regarding the AC and heat controls for my camper. Our 2014 287BHBE AC unit (Airxcel model: 48253C966) has knob controls (fan speed and temperature) on the unit in the ceiling of the camper. The furnace (Atwood model: 8525-LD) has the old style thermostat (adjustable prong on bottom) mounted on the wall by the television. I would like to change the AC controls to a digital thermostat (due to the vertically challenged wife) and also be able to control the furnace with the same thermostat. I'm sure there is a way, but am wondering at what cost. I really don't want to tear apart the ceiling, but the AC is either on or off and gets annoying not to mention a waste of electricity. Any help or insight provided would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Grumpy]

You'll need a new control box for the a/c, wiring and thermostat. You will also need some wire mold to run the wire from the thermo to the a/c. You can do the change out without removing the a/c, you just need to drop the ceiling difuser. Probably cost you about $200 total.

 

[sebring96hbg]

In recent days, I have been looking at the same thing. I found this http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f56/the-great-a-c-thermostat-mod-24914.html

The Omron relay referenced in the thread is no longer available; however, I found this alternative, DURAKOOL - DG34-1021-36-1012-F - AUTOMOTIVE RELAY, SPST-NO, 12VDC, 30A.

The Coleman Mach solution will run about $200, factoring the cost of the thermostat, ceiling assembly and control kit.

Why have I been looking at this? I already have the elect-a-heat installed. I also have a Sunbeam tower heater. If I do the mod discussed on the linked forum thread to control A/C on a second thermostat, I am also thinking about adding a relay controlled outlet dedicated to the tower heater which would be controlled by the second thermostat as well. The idea is to have the ceiling unit set to low heat to distribute the heat from the tower heater. And the second thermostat would energize the ceiling unit and tower heater as needed.

The ceiling unit and the tower heater would be on separate circuits. And no propane would be used.