DesertDave
Senior Member
I was pretty happy with the thermostat that came with my 2014 FWC, digital and simple to operate.
Photo of thermo
Link to thermo http://smile.amazon.com/White-Rodgers-1E78-140-Emerson-Non-Programmable-Thermostat/dp/B00204WWGE/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1420504909&sr=1-5&keywords=non-programmable+digital+thermostat
But after my last trip I decided I wanted a 'freeze protect' function, ie, a 35 degree low set point. The factory one has a 45 degree low point setting. I also wanted to have it work in the same spot as the factory one, and have a digital readout. That eliminated the ones I checked that others have recommended - they were either not available, were horizontal rather than vertical, or they were of the older slider control style.
I did find this one http://smile.amazon.com/FS1500VL-SentryTM-Thermostat-Single-Stage-Heating/dp/B004051LFY/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1420506751&sr=1-4&keywords=garage+thermostat
And I ordered it, and received and installed it just now. I found it cheaper than via Amazon, at least the day I ordered it.
Here's how the factory stat was wired.
They had the blue wire connected to 'RC', and the white wire connected to 'W', with the standard (according to the stat literature) jumper between RC and RH.
Here's what the mounting area looks like.
Notice the largish opening in the cabinet, which would allow the inside cabinet temps to factor into the temp readings and operating performance of the furnace. Not saying it's good or bad, it just is.
Here's the new stat installed.
The new stat has a neoprene panel on the back to insulate it from the cabinet face, and it seals around the two wires that enter it. I think this will allow it to respond more correctly to the air temperature and be less affected by the temps in the cabinet. This could reduce the issue that some have mentioned where the air in the camper gets really hot before the thermostat reacts, when heating up a very cold camper the first time. I was also pleased that the mounting holes matched the originals exactly - I reused the factory screws to mount it, no new holes.
Here's a shot showing the low set point and backlight
And here's some info printed on the box
I connected the white wire to 'W' and the blue wire to 'R' on the new stat. I left the sensitivity at the default of one degree ( it can be raised up to 3 degrees if desired) and left the default setting at 'electric' instead of switching it to the 'gas/oil' setting. It tested out per the booklet. If I find it cycles too much for my preferences I can change the sensitivity, and I also think that the gas/oil setting allows for fewer cycles per hour also, vs. the electric setting, but I am not 100% sure on that.
Maybe this will be useful for someone.
My intent going forward would be to set the furnace at 35 degres when I go to bed, if there's any chance it will get seriously cold overnight. No more faucet icicles in the morning. I also thought if I were going to travel through an area (or camp awhile) where it would be below freezing for many hours I might turn on the furnace while traveling, just to protect the water systems in the camper.
Photo of thermo
Link to thermo http://smile.amazon.com/White-Rodgers-1E78-140-Emerson-Non-Programmable-Thermostat/dp/B00204WWGE/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1420504909&sr=1-5&keywords=non-programmable+digital+thermostat
But after my last trip I decided I wanted a 'freeze protect' function, ie, a 35 degree low set point. The factory one has a 45 degree low point setting. I also wanted to have it work in the same spot as the factory one, and have a digital readout. That eliminated the ones I checked that others have recommended - they were either not available, were horizontal rather than vertical, or they were of the older slider control style.
I did find this one http://smile.amazon.com/FS1500VL-SentryTM-Thermostat-Single-Stage-Heating/dp/B004051LFY/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1420506751&sr=1-4&keywords=garage+thermostat
And I ordered it, and received and installed it just now. I found it cheaper than via Amazon, at least the day I ordered it.
Here's how the factory stat was wired.
They had the blue wire connected to 'RC', and the white wire connected to 'W', with the standard (according to the stat literature) jumper between RC and RH.
Here's what the mounting area looks like.
Notice the largish opening in the cabinet, which would allow the inside cabinet temps to factor into the temp readings and operating performance of the furnace. Not saying it's good or bad, it just is.
Here's the new stat installed.
The new stat has a neoprene panel on the back to insulate it from the cabinet face, and it seals around the two wires that enter it. I think this will allow it to respond more correctly to the air temperature and be less affected by the temps in the cabinet. This could reduce the issue that some have mentioned where the air in the camper gets really hot before the thermostat reacts, when heating up a very cold camper the first time. I was also pleased that the mounting holes matched the originals exactly - I reused the factory screws to mount it, no new holes.
Here's a shot showing the low set point and backlight
And here's some info printed on the box
I connected the white wire to 'W' and the blue wire to 'R' on the new stat. I left the sensitivity at the default of one degree ( it can be raised up to 3 degrees if desired) and left the default setting at 'electric' instead of switching it to the 'gas/oil' setting. It tested out per the booklet. If I find it cycles too much for my preferences I can change the sensitivity, and I also think that the gas/oil setting allows for fewer cycles per hour also, vs. the electric setting, but I am not 100% sure on that.
Maybe this will be useful for someone.
My intent going forward would be to set the furnace at 35 degres when I go to bed, if there's any chance it will get seriously cold overnight. No more faucet icicles in the morning. I also thought if I were going to travel through an area (or camp awhile) where it would be below freezing for many hours I might turn on the furnace while traveling, just to protect the water systems in the camper.
