Leaving Eplex for Dometic 5 Button

[Dave.O]

Eplex just went south on me. Quote from Newmar is $2,800 for replacement. Ya know where I am going - Dometic 5 Button. Anyway, been reading all the threads and I know how it install. Have two questions for those of you that have converted; #1 Does it control the Hydro Hot furnace as the Eplex did? #2 How does it read temperature in the different parts of the coach and control the applicable roof top units when the thermostat is now up front?

Thanks

DaveO

["007"]

You should have the same sensors to read temps within the coach.
This ESSEX OWNERS THREAD should help also located in QT's # 3 where a lot of answers are found in PROBLEM SOLVERS also..

[azSkier]

I have been studying this issue for a while. I have not made the conversion, but I think I know what needs to be done.

I have purchased the Dometic 5 button controller and have swapped the rj11 cable and got the Dometic controller to see and operate the heatpumps and the furnace. I keep the Dometic controller as a backup.

But, there is only 1 temperature sensor and it is the Dometic controller itself.

As best I can tell, the e-plex system has its own temp sensors. I know this as I have had to replace one and have it programmed with an e-plex address.

In a non-eplex motorhome, like the Mountain Aire of the same year as yours, each heat pump(HP) will have its own dometic temp (remote) sensor that run from the HP unit to a wall location. There should also be one running from the furnace controller to a wall location.

So, maintaining comfort with only 1 sensor and 4 Zones will be problematic. Somehow, you will need to install the 4 additional temp sensors.

I am on the verge of doing this sometime soon. I am planning for my e-plex to fail and I am replacing my zone 1 HP later this spring. I will install the remote temp sensor when I install the new HP.

I think the temp sensor is this one.
Harness, Wire, Thermistor Kit - Dometic 3312303.005 - Parts - Camping World

I have the following in my notes;
Newmar Remote Sensor for 2007 Mtn Aire
3106486.032 40ft
3106486.008 20ft
3106486.016 50ft

Keep us posted on your situation. I am very interested.

PS. Losing e-plex means you have also lost your ability to turn on/off your water pump. I have done some research in this area as well. I think I have a plan(again to make the our coach work like the Mtn Aire). Nothing easy here.

[Dave.O]

Correct - the multiplex uses it's own sensors for temperature. Have the wiring diagram from Newmar and for the rooftop units. Will have to add temp sensors to each rooftop.

Going up to coach this weekend to scope out. Will keep you updated.

Have solutions for Inverter/Charger and Tank Levels

Thanks,

DaveO

[shaman52]

Are you still using the original Penguins. If so the 5-button makes sense. No need to add HP control converters.

If you have changed out to the Penguin II's then I recommend using the latest 12 button Dometic Thermostat. Set the temperature for the zone and it will switch from a/c, HP and hydronic heating as needed to maintain temperature. You will need to run a new dedicated 12v dc run to the rear unit.

Good Luck!

[azSkier]

I think you will need to add some kind of temp sensor to the Furnace controller for zone 3.

["007"]

Maybe this link will help also.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by 007";3991224]Maybe [B][URL="http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/dometic-brisk-ii-install-on-newmar-312478.html#post3293141

this link [/URL][/B]will help also.

The above link is to my install.

I don't have eplex ... mine is the last year of conventional (non-eplex).

I have 4 Dometic temp sensors (3 topside A/C and 1 in hall bath for HydroHot).

If I needed to install sensors I'd use the warm air duct inlet closest to each A/C, run a fishtape to the warm air intake topside (the big triangular port), pull the sensor wire to each control board, and hang the sensor bulb inside the warm air inlet. It will read nearly the same as 5 ft. up on the wall (actually, it will probably be more accurate because you won't have sun beating on the wall behind a sensor).

I'm not familiar with how your hydro heat interfaces with the eplex.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by azSkier

I think you will need to add some kind of temp sensor to the Furnace controller for zone 3.

For those readers not familiar with an Essex, Zones 1, 2, and 4 are rooftop A/C and Zone 3 is HydroHot. In my conventional setup (non-eplex) the hall bath has a standalone Dometic control board (on the wall under the sink) that interfaces with the HydroHot ... the Dometic board just provides contact closure (like a furnace interface). It has a remote sensor fastened under the upper cabinet.

[Dave.O]

Bruceisla,

Great idea on placing the sensors. I am still planning the plan here and I think I have solutions for each of the systems with the last one being the water pump. I will break each system down and post once I get everything solidified/tested.

Fortunately I keep the the coach in a heated building over the winter here in Wisconsin with first trip end of April. The last 2-3 weekends I have been locating all of the devices as shown on the drawings from Newmar. Open panels and doors everywhere. LOL


DaveO

[Dave.O]

Drawing files from Newmar that I have been working with.

DaveO

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by Dave.O

Drawing files from Newmar that I have been working with.

DaveO

Looking at the first doc (Oasis Print) it appears the Oasis interface is the same as my HydroHot . Zone 3 has a standalone Dometic Control Board that provides contact closure (labeled BLUE and BLUE). It loops 12vdc from the Oasis back to the Oasis .... it works like an on/off switch. I would expect that Control Board to be somewhere in the hall .... probably under a sink cabinet. The board is in a Dometic galvanized box about 9 inches square by 2 inches deep (like this).

[Dave.O]

Yes this is what I have under sink.


Thanks

DaveO

[bruceisla]

That's the one. If you look at the wiring you'll see all the leads that would normally go to the compressor and fan are clipped and taped back. The only leads that are used are the 2 Blue( Oasis), 12vdc supply/return, comm cable and probably a temp tensor. The unit under the sink is probably a good place to look to see what eplex temp sensor is used at that location. You may or may not have discrete 12vdc under there. Some installs used the 12vdc that is on the comm cable (not recommended by Dometic but common).