"Night Off" thermostat ?

tekrsq · 09-18-2011, 02:50 PM

What is a "night off" thermostat ?

For whatever reason, I cannot turn off my heater without pulling the fuse. Even if I put the thermostat on its lowest setting, it comes on. This won't work for me while is being stored this winter. So I was wanting to find a "heat only" thermostat that actually has an on/off switch, but all I've found just say "night off". Does a simple "heat only" thermostat with an on/off swith exist ?

TXiceman · 09-18-2011, 03:00 PM

Is the heat thermostat a totally separate one. If it is, it should either have a small lever on top that turns the furnace off or on. Or, if maybe the type that you slide to the far left and then push it harder until it clicks off.

Ken

Midniteoyl · 09-18-2011, 04:13 PM

Mine has a little switch (tab) on the bottom you slide over to turn off.. You have to get down and look up to see it.

tekrsq · 09-18-2011, 05:25 PM

I thiink mine is supposed to have the little switch on the bottom, but it looks like it's broken off. I pulled the cover off the thermostat thinking I could manually switch it off. I moved the switch's slide, but the furnace still comes on. So either something else is screwed up in it, or something is wrong with the wiring. I figured it would be easiest just to replace the thermostat. I have found one on ebay that looks like mine (with the switch on the bottom), but its $30. I was hoping to do a little better if I could, but I'll probably just get that one.

Midniteoyl · 09-18-2011, 06:31 PM

Mines an Atwood Hydroflame with the simplest 2-wire thermostat I've ever seen.. That 'switch' actually just breaks a contact (black tab, lower left in pic).. you could simply slip a peace of card stock in there...

And, since its 2-wire, it should stop when you pull one wire, breaking the circuit. Does this happen? If so, then, instead of paying for a $30 part, you could wire in a toggle and have a 'Heater On/Off' like the Water Heater.

Or, you could just run to Lowes and pick up a $10 2-wire thermostat

tekrsq · 09-19-2011, 04:06 AM

Jim, thanks for the pics !!!!

I have a Surbuban, but your thermostat looks very close to mine. I've thought about just adding a simple switch, but I like to keep things looking as "stock" as possible. Although I didn't know Lowes had simple 2 wire thermostats. I'll have to check that out.

Midniteoyl · 09-19-2011, 12:12 PM

Called "heat only" thermostats... Just don't get a digital unless it can run on 12vdc.. Home ones are 24vac.

Dave78Chief · 09-19-2011, 12:49 PM

The battery operated Hunter Thermostats can be used with 12VDC system. They just use relays to control the source vothge (12VDC, 24VAC, millivolt, etc.) back to the the proper circuit. You just configure it for a 2 wire heat only system. I have used Hunter model 4426 for years on a older 12vdc coleman furnace. They use the batteries for logic control not the source 24VAC.

Dave