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supertramp · 01-09-2017, 07:04 PM

Anybody ever install a residential thermostat in there Camper? I have a Honeywell Lyric round I got free for beta testing it a little while ago, I know it usually uses 24v AC but I wonder if I add a 24v transformer to power it and keep its power isolated from the rest of the system would it work? I also have a residential thermostat that looks exactly like the black ones some camper's have as the premium option except it's ivory colored I wonder if it's the same except for the color? Here's a photo of the residential thermostat I have.

Charlie and Martha · 01-10-2017, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supertramp

Anybody ever install a residential thermostat in there Camper? I have a Honeywell Lyric round I got free for beta testing it a little while ago, I know it usually uses 24v AC but I wonder if I add a 24v transformer to power it and keep its power isolated from the rest of the system would it work? I also have a residential thermostat that looks exactly like the black ones some camper's have as the premium option except it's ivory colored I wonder if it's the same except for the color? Here's a photo of the residential thermostat I have.

I did a quick search and it appears that you can but with a couple of caveats - click here

supertramp · 01-10-2017, 04:20 PM

I think if I can find a way to convert 12v DC to 24v AC it will work perfectly I know the issue is converting AC to DC is a easy task all I need is a properly rated Diode on one or bother AC lines one in each direction, but getting AC out of DC is another matter that requires some kind of inverter to alternate the current between on the hot lead at 60hrz if I always use shore power this will be easy but if I want to run off the battery then things get complicated, I took a electronics course back in high school but forget all but the basics, I have to think about it, right now I have o find a source for a rubber membrane that's not over priced so I can get the tarp of the camper but I will post that question in a new post

Isaac-1 · 01-10-2017, 05:40 PM

It depends which brand of air conditioner do you have, I know Dometic / Duo therm uses 7.5 volt DC control voltage or at least they did on my 2002 motorhome, Coleman use something different, and newer Dometic units have went proprietary digital control.

twinboat · 01-10-2017, 05:51 PM

I used a Lowe's $25. digital thermostat that ran on 2 AA batteries on my Coleman AC.

There are websites explaining the changeover.

bluepill · 01-10-2017, 05:52 PM

Your 24 volt transformer idea should be fine for controlling the A/C only. In order to run the A/C you will have a source of 120 volt A.C. that can also power the transformer. This assumes that your A/C can be controlled with only a dry relay closure. Later model A/C Digital readout thermostats usually have a data line to communicate with the controller board at the A/C unit.

If you wanted to control the propane furnace you would be limited to times that you were connected to 120 volt A.C. power - i.e. not when boondocking.