Dometic Thermostat Replacement: Can I Replace My RV Thermostat?
The problem with the digital age is that when digital products go awry, then it is difficult to get them repaired or it is expensive to do so. The replacement may seem like a great option but either that is expensive as well or you do not know what to replace the current part with.
Can I replace my RV thermostat? Yes, you can replace an RV thermostat, and just about any part is replaceable when you get right down to it.
The question is what do you want to replace the thermostat with? If you trust Dometic products then replacing the current thermostat with the same model is a given.
To learn more about replacing Dometic thermostats just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about in order to make the right decision. Getting the right information will spare you problems down the road.
Can I Replace My RV Thermostat With Any Thermostat?
Yes, this is possible to replace an RV thermostat but there are a few details you need to know about before you run out and buy a cheap replacement. First, the RV thermostat is designed to work on the 12 Volt RV electrical system.
Most house and other thermostats are designed to work on the 24-volt system. Your replacement will have to be designed to work on a 12-volt system before you can use it without too much adaption.
Then, house thermostats are not made to handle more than one speed for the fan. If you have a 2-speed fan system in your RV, you would have to install a switch to accommodate that difference.
The installation is not hard to do but the look may not be so great once you are done. The switch may either hang there or you have to attach it in a convenient spot on the wall. Before you go and buy a replacement check the current thermostat first.
It may only need a simple resetting and it will work fine again. Your owner’s manual should have the method to use to reset the thermostat. Oh and Dometic thermostats seem to need to be turned off first before you can read the actual temperature in the room.
This is a little inconvenient but it is the way Dometic designed their thermostats.
Dometic RV Thermostat Upgrade
It is possible to upgrade from your current Dometic thermostat to a better Dometic model. The company makes several different types of thermostats and they are all designed for RVs (at least the ones made for RVs are).
There are at least two options you can try and the first one will be the Dometic Single Zone RV Air Conditioner Thermostat. While it says AC thermostat, this single zone unit takes control of your furnace as well.
Its claim to fame is the ability to use sensors over tapping buttons even though some tapping will still be involved. Gentle taps on the 3 input sections give you control over the heat, the cooling, and other features you want to access.
The second upgrade option will be the Dometic Comfort Control Center. This unit may have more buttons to push but you stay in better control over the heating and cooling of your rig than the basic thermostats can.
It is a programmable device that has all the buttons upfront so you can see them clearly. Plus, those buttons control fan speeds, clocks, and other vital features. The display should be easy to read so you will know without any trouble that you made the selections you wanted.
Once you have made your selections, then you can forget about it and simply enjoy the comforts your heating/cooling features provide.
How do I Remove a Dometic Thermostat?
The removal of the thermostat will be the simplest part of the upgrade. The hard part is installing the new upgraded model, especially if it has more wires than the one you are replacing.
To start, you need to get a flat head screwdriver and simply find the notch that needs to be pried up. Place the screwdriver in that notch and pop the outer casing off the thermostat. Be careful as not all thermostats are designed the same way and some have a simple tab to push.
Next, you will have to remove the screws holding the thermostat to the wall. This will give you a little leeway and maneuvering space when you tackle the wires. Do the wires one at a time so you can label them and make sure they do not slide back into the wall.
If the latter happens then you will have to spend more time digging them out. If you fail to label the wires, you may have trouble reconnecting them to the right terminals on the new thermostat.
If you have trouble reconnecting the wires, you may connect them to the wrong terminal and some features may not work. Once you remove the screws and the wires, the thermostat should fall right into your hands.
Also, if you have problems turning the AC or heater on when the new thermostat is attached, you may have to put the old one back on to see if the problem lies with the new thermostat or if you have a problem with the furnace or AC units.
Dometic Capacitive Touch Thermostat Installation
Dometic puts out a kit to help you install this unit into your RV. However, the instructions given are not in word format but illustrations only. We will provide that link to you so you can see what needs to be done to install this device. You can access the kit at this link.
The download section has the link to the instructions. Then this link gives you a schematic of the electrical design. The key is to make sure you hook up the wires to their proper location. If you don’t do that, then you may have to spend time figuring out which wires to move to their new location and so on.
If everything is wired correctly and nothing works, check the breakers that control the thermostat. If they have tripped then the device won't be getting any power. Reset the breakers so the power is flowing and try again.
When wires are crossed, they can easily trip the breaker to protect you from further damage. Also, check to make sure the main power is turned on. Even though this is a simple wiring task, it may be best to hire a pro to do it for you. They can ensure that all problems are avoided.
Dometic RV Thermostat Change From Celsius to Fahrenheit
According to Dometic, the way to change your thermostat reading from Celsius to Fahrenheit is to press both the up and down buttons at the same time. Most Dometic furnaces will cap out at 90 degrees F which is roughly 30 degrees C.
Also, if you have trouble with a lack of heating, it may not be the thermostat that is the problem. A common issue with some RV models using the Dometic system is that the ducting may not be connected to the plenum.
Sometimes tape is used and not screws when the RV was put together. You should check to see how your duct system is attached to vital components and make secure changes to the system.
Before You Replace the Thermostat
When thermostats start to act up, before replacing them it is a good idea to double-check the following common problems that cause your device to stop working properly.
1. Check the batteries - they may have run out of power sooner than you expected. This is a common issue when your thermostat is run by batteries.
2. The display screen is blank - this is a sign that it is broken and the only fix is a replacement. Analog thermostats need to be double-checked manually to see if they have gone bad.
3. Room temperature and thermostat temperature do not match - this is due to incorrect signals being sent to your furnace and AC units. You would have to use another thermometer to double-check this issue first.
If they do not agree, then replacement is your only option as the RV’s thermostat is broken.
4. Heat/AC not turning on or off - if you hear clicking then it is not the thermostat that is broken or in need of repair. When you do not hear a click or a clicking sound, then the thermostat is the one that is broken. It either needs repair or replacing.
Some Final Words
It is possible to use household thermostats in your RV. However, those household models should be battery operated or they won’t work without rewiring. Replacing your current thermostats with an upgrade is also a good option as long as you get the wires in the right spot.
You can do the replacement yourself but having a pro do it reduces the risk of malfunction.
