How To Upgrade Your RV Thermostat (DIY: Honeywell)

[@iiu82_75]

*Easy to assemble **Fastly.Cool*

[@crenaissanceman]

Thank you. I have to say, after watching a couple of dozen KZbin videos related to this particular topic, upgrading from analog to digital, yours was by far the best, particularly the part where you mentioned the color coding referencing the old with the new.

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@crenaissanceman]

Wandering Wagners I needed to do the exact same upgrade. What the other videos failed to mention, yours filled in the gaps. Because of that, I subscribed to your channel. Thanks again, and have a wonderful day.

[@bruno851]

Thank you very much for the video, we recently purchased a Starcraft with the exact same AC setup and wiring, it probably has something to do with Jayco and Starcarft have the same parent company. Anyway, I followed the video, wired high fan only for the same reason you gave, and the install was a breeze. When it came testing everything the fan worked and the heater worked like they should, however the AC did not start. I checked the wiring, it was all good, so I thought I had a bad unit, I swapped the original unit back and everything worked like it should. Now is when I decided to read the instructions, total ID10T error. The thermostat has a protection timer for the compressor, "Cool On" will flash during this time-out cycle and the timer kicks on the first time I inserted the batteries, therefore it waits 5 minutes before turning the AC on. Once I understood that, the unit works perfect. The back lighting and inside temperature features are great. I just wanted to share this and admit my dumb-assery, in case anyone else runs across this issue. Thanks again!

[@kevinj8258]

having a five minute timer seems obsessive every time you change the batteries in this unit. Guess I will put in some lithium batteries and see if they can last three years.

[@samsmith9163]

After two days of pulling out my non existent hair, your video finally helped me solve the problem.! Thank you so much!!!!! No other video shows them pulling the wires from the wall. My blue and white were not connected so I had no ground to the j box I guess. Again thank you!

[@WanderingWagners]

Glad I could help!

[@toddallison2818]

Just so others will know, I rewired my original (1998) Coleman-Mack thermostat with a Honeywell very similar to this one, after watching your video. Only my fan came on, compressor would not, so I hooked up the blue wire to the "c" slot (common) on the thermostat and everything works perfectly. Apparently some of the air conditioners need this blue wire.

[@marshallpoe8087]

Todd, the thermostat in this video does not have a "C" terminal. It does have a Rc terminal that is jumpered to the R terminal.

[@Chasing70]

I have this situation right now. Fan works, but not compressor. Are you saying I need to put the blue into The very far right slot labeled Rc? Plus, cap off the grey because it’s for low fan? But the green, yellow, white, red all go in the slots labeled with their same color? Please answer because I am at a campground in the Georgia heat & humidity. My dogs, cat & I are about dead from this heat!

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

@@Chasing70 Did you ever figure it out ?

[@Chasing70]

@@Hugo-Hernandez yes! The problem was the CONTROL PANEL! It is on the roof connected by wires to the blower etc. I ordered a new one & hooked it up. Everything started working! I will ad this: I am ordering a multimeter with the ability to test capacitors (not all meters can do this). I am teaching myself how to test everything electrical that quits working. This way, I won’t order extra parts that I don’t need! I bought an RV thermostat off Amazon & installed it though. That entire fix was a long & painful one without air conditioning in 100% humidity & 96* out.

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

@@Chasing70 K perfect I was just curious. Where did the blue wire go into the new thermostat? Was their a blue slot in the new thermostat?

[@ernestoblanco2742]

I followed his wiring instructions step by step with success, but used a more modern T2 Honeywell Home Non-programmable thermostat. The model he uses in this video is no longer available on Amazon. The wiring colors and diagram were unchanged on my 2023 Jayco trailer, and used the same Coleman Mack thermostat.

[@kevinkiehn826]

Thank you so much for this video! We just did this with the exact same existing thermostat in our 2012 Rockwood travel trailer... and switched it with the same Honeywell. It was super easy to do. Literally 5 minutes maybe??? Thanks again!

[@WanderingWagners]

Great to hear! Very welcome

[@MrJoeyelias]

Best RV thermostat video on KZbin

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you!

[@stanleylett4331]

Thanks this helped me. I had to install a control board mine did not have one which makes no sense. I used the old furnace +12v red and white. The diagram on the control board had yellow went to the compressor, green to high fan, grey to low fan and it had a -12v to it, but not +12v. I was confused as to what to do here. But from your wiring I saw blue was connected to -12v source and running to the control board on AC. So that made sense. I have installed a different Honeywell thermostat, all is well.

[@WanderingWagners]

Glad to hear our video helped you!

[@gjimenez3940]

Excellent video! You should be a teacher. You make it look easy, with great dialogue. Thank you for your time.

[@WanderingWagners]

+gjimenez3940 thank you! I'm glad it helped you. I actually work as an instructor at a truck driving school, that's kind of like being a teacher haha

[@johndiobilda2233]

Wanted to say thank you for the information. Your video was very helpful. Thanks again.

[@WanderingWagners]

Very welcome!

[@pyburn1212]

Awesome video! Does it have a compressor delay? Have the the same a/c and compressor comes on with fan.

[@WanderingWagners]

Only slight delay

[@jdmccarthy7]

Great video. We typically always have our Coleman-Mach set to low fan speed. Your comment about the hi/lo fan "extra wires" got my attention. Is there a way to wire it so when I set the fan on the speed is always low and not high? I find the high fan especially loud and don't want to attempt this swap if I'm stuck at that speed. Thanks for the help!

[@WanderingWagners]

Yes, in the video I used the high fan wire and didn't connect the low fan wire. You'd just have to do the opposite, connect the low fan wire and don't use the high fan wire.

[@pascalclement8865]

hello, I want upgrade my rv stats. My current one have only 3 wires connected. white 12- blue comms red 12+. how do i connect that stat ? all other wires are there but not used. Do i need change something else?

[@WanderingWagners]

Connect what's there and try it.

[@garycoffey20]

Just could not get things to work right. So I just bought brand new Coleman mach HC digital thermostat for $66.00 new . Same exact wiring as old Colemach analog. It is also only 1degree tolerance, has inside temp and set temp when adjusting, plus I have my high and low. I am actually inmpressed with it. Way better than house hold and about same price for home thermostat.

[@gr7485]

Thanks for the clear instructions. Made my swap much easier to do.

[@WanderingWagners]

+George Reed glad you found this helpful! Thanks for watching and the feedback👍

[@kb3ejw14]

Just rewatched this video,how did it work out, do you need to do this in the Airstream too.how is the system in the tin can??

[@WanderingWagners]

The digital thermostat upgrade was well worth it. The thermostat in the Airstream is great. It's digital and has two zones since we have two air conditioners.

[@shockashoota]

Nice im glad this works,my camper thermostat is awful. Its either on and freezing or once it hits the set temperature it turns off and won’t turn back on till its scorching hot or maybe it won’t at all 😂

[@WanderingWagners]

Replacing the thermostat is a great upgrade! Many of them, especially now, are much better and are wifi/Bluetooth capable.

[@TRUONGSPORT]

Purchased: August 2023 - still works GREAT!I kzbin.infoUgkxxsUnXhGsSJLim_XnMHyQK0u3XVaW-CGn live in a studio and during the summer it gets scorching hot - really old building with no ac units. I can’t express how EASY it was to install. This unit has been a life savior during the summer and some days during other seasons where it can still be a bit warm at night. In this small place is my friend, a husky, poodle mix and myself. We need AC - lolI don’t use the dehumidifier option - I’m not sure if it will leak in my house, since I did not install the small draining hose that came with it. May look into it late but I don’t worry about much humidity in the apartment. I don’t understand why the negative reviews since all things mentioned, I personally did not find issues with. Definitely worth it!

[@WanderingWagners]

Thanks for the comment

[@tardispilot2010]

Hi, it wasn't clear from the video if the FAN on your Air Conditioner has multiple speeds. Ours does so I'm looking for a new thermostat that will function like the old one with regard to adjusting the fan speed automatically or allowing me to set fan speed... but UNLIKE the original, I want it to turn the fan off when it's no longer needed. This thermostat indeed shuts the fan off if not needed as you demonstrated, but I didn't see where I could select low/med/high or auto for fan speed. Thanks in advance.

[@WanderingWagners]

That thermostat would only do a single speed. We only ever used high so that's the fan speed I wired it for.

[@tardispilot2010]

@@WanderingWagners Thanks !!!!

[@jerrystevens7001]

U did a great job buddy.. I will installing the same model in my camper.. thanks for the help..

[@WanderingWagners]

+Jerry Stevens thank you, and you're welcome! We love this thermostat.

[@hornet224]

Residential thermostats operate from a 24V power transformer. You hooked up to 12V power, but it still worked.

[@WanderingWagners]

Honeywell makes several thermostats that can be used in your home or RV

[@speedygtony]

I have the same exact thermostat as you. Im going to im going to buy the Honeywell you got and changing out today. My thermostat is making a clicking sound when I turn all the way to the right and nothing comes on. Have to tap (bang) it to work.. fingers crossed.

[@WanderingWagners]

The replacement is an easy fix so hopefully it works out for you

[@egorad]

I know this is an old video now, but by any chance do you know the actual model of the new thermostat?

[@WanderingWagners]

I can't remember, and I believe it's since been discontinued/replaced with a newer model number but similar to this one

[@willardpearce8218]

We have a 2004 Keystone Montana 5th wheel with a Duotherm a/c and furnace analog thermostat. What model digital thermostat would work, and does it wire up basically the same as in your great video? (the thermostat works, but has too much temperature change between cycles)

[@WanderingWagners]

We actually have since upgraded to the MicroAir Easy Touch RV thermostat. It wired up same as the original and it's Bluetooth and wifi and touch screen. Newer video on that if you're interested. The Honeywell worked well while we had it though! Not sure if they still make that model as this is several years old now.

[@quartzboye]

I’ve been wanting to upgrade mine to digital especially since the temperature does not match the set temperature along with my AC freezing even after cleaning the coils.

[@WanderingWagners]

Digital thermostats are pretty simple to install. They even make RV ones, like the micro air easy touch. We currently have one in our RV

[@quartzboye]

@@WanderingWagners my thermostat is 14 years old and I feel like the AC runs way too long.

[@aalyje03]

Hi, I’m trying to replace a Coleman Mach AC /heat thermostat. And mine seems to have more wires than anybody’s video talk about. I’d attach a picture but I know that I can. Mine is a 2000 Winnebago journey. They put in a new AC unit and I thought they’d be putting in the new thermostat but they didn’t. Now the AC will turn off and turn on. Turn off and turn on and sometimes the fan remains on. WINNEBAGO recommended I put in a new thermostat. Thanks WINNEBAGO I thought that’s what you’d be doing. I guess it’s up to me, I don’t work for $179 an hour. I have pics if I can share them. Please help I’d like to install this and make sure my AC and heat run efficiently.

[@aalyje03]

PS this is a residential basement unit

[@WanderingWagners]

We've since upgraded to the MicroAir Easy Touch RV Thermostat and it's been great! They can help you with installation questions too, made in America. Easy DIY RV Thermostat Install (Micro-Air Easy Touch) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZebi5eKaq19Y6s

[@JoseRodriguez-yv4sh]

Hey bud i was watching your video and i was wondering if you can explain what the color wires were... Like.red is power .. Green, neutral..

[@WanderingWagners]

different rv's color wires could mean different things or nothing at all. it really varies.

[@RVHabit]

You will be much happier with a digital thermostat. I agree the temp swings on those RV thermostats is too much. If you ever do want to add the fan speed, low and high, there is a few KZbin videos on how to take that wire and attach it to a switch. Hope it works out and let us know how it works after some use. Stay safe.

[@WanderingWagners]

+RV Habit this long holiday weekend will be a good opportunity to really test out the new thermostat.

[@Gratefulwon]

Actually, the temp swings are the same as any other digital thermostat, if you look at the original it was digital inside, not a bi metalic old school type. I just did the same mod, I wanted the temp readout and lighted display.

[@coryprzybylski8979]

Can you run the fan and the heat? I use my camper as hunting shack and would like to use fan to move heat around better

[@WanderingWagners]

I'm not sure if I recall that or not. We have dice upgraded campers so I cannot test it for you. I feel like you could but can't say for sure.

[@miketurner2855]

Which numbers do you go bye top are bottom numbers on Coleman mack

[@WanderingWagners]

They are incremental.

[@Mathwig01]

Very Helpful, and To the point, Great Job!!!!!! Thank You,

[@WanderingWagners]

Glad to help!

[@nestormurphy2619]

Is the negative battery lead you mentioned on the engine or the deep well batteries

[@WanderingWagners]

This is a travel trailer in the video, so no engine. Just the TT batteries.

[@nestormurphy2619]

@@WanderingWagners Thank you for your reply, Since I have a Class A (gas). Do you feel that keeping the deep well batteries attached will be a problem while replacing the thermostat?

[@WanderingWagners]

We suggest cutting all the power just in case

[@rogerlillpop1307]

why did you leave the blue 12 Voit neg.wire unhooked ? i am replacing the same coleman mach thermostat...

[@WanderingWagners]

hooked it up exactly how it was wired from the stock one.

[@darrencox4588]

You have to disconnect the batteries?

[@WanderingWagners]

You don't have to but there will be 12 volts at the thermostat.

[@CPUDOCTHE1]

I am wanting to upgrade my new Jayco from the Dometic digital thermostat that does not work to an analog thermostat. Is the process similar?

[@WanderingWagners]

Hard to say until you take it off the wall to look. Could be similar in reverse or could be different based on how technical your new jayco is

[@timkeaton4599]

Thanks for posting! I think I will follow your lead on this one!

[@WanderingWagners]

+Tim Keaton thanks for watching! It's super easy to do, and worth it!

[@philwhite646]

Did you cut the wires from the old thermostat? Or did you leave those attached and use the wires above the wire nuts?

[@WanderingWagners]

I ended up cutting a couple inches off the wires from the old thermostat because they were so long and reused them

[@peterc504]

Does anyone have a video on how to install a thermostat to a coleman mach 15 if you had the thermostat that came with the unit with the blue/red knob and the other main knob that controlled cooling low high/ fan low high?

[@Gary-ib8dz]

Are you still happy you went with this model?

[@WanderingWagners]

We no longer have this camper but we were very happy with it while we had it!

[@Gary-ib8dz]

@@WanderingWagners Thanks. Merry Christmas

[@DianaMcginnis-f4j]

How do you change a non-programmable thermostat

[@WanderingWagners]

That's what I did in this video

[@davidmcconnell8690]

Another excellent video. Thanks

[@WanderingWagners]

+David McConnell glad you liked it! Thanks for watching

[@alexkemp6375]

What about In cold weather below freezing? Thanks

[@WanderingWagners]

What about it?

[@garycoffey20]

have installed same exact thermostat, How ever its not working right, My green wire is High fan, my brown wire is low fan, Yellow is cool, White is heat! now I have a red and Blue wire left, Blue wire being ground on old thermostat and Red to Rc / Rh (Has Jumper wire) on old thermostat , I left Blue not connected and connected Red to Rh/RC. Fan works when I turn fan on, auto don't know because ac and heat does not come on! I seen some where installation leave red undone and connect ground to Rc/Rh. What do I need to to do or change. There is only a 5 wire thermostat wire come out of wall, no other wire Green h fan, Brown low fan, white Heat, yellow cool, Blue ground and red hot. there is no other big wire like you show which I assuming is ground for you!

[@WanderingWagners]

What can make it difficult is that RV manufacturers don't always follow a set "standard" when it comes to the color code of the wires. Did you reconnect the wires the same way they were labeled on the old thermostat?

[@garycoffey20]

Your wiring seems to be correct, I just swap out for different thermostat and works fine Evidently the one I got off eBay and said works fine , did not work fine, I have already been refund from eBay for it! Thanks

[@davidagonzalez2]

The thermastat states it requires 24v. Rv only puts out 7.5 to the thermostat. Does this matter?

[@kevinj8258]

Supposedly it does not matter. Thermostat is a switch to power on fan or compressor or furnace. Or combination.

[@WanderingWagners]

No

[@GabrielFernandes-qw2uq]

It is possible to turn it on and use it with the battery bank while the motorhome is running at 70 miles/h !

[@WanderingWagners]

Yes

[@josephpena204]

what is the model of the Honeywell thermostat and is it a 12v or 24v or does it matter

[@WanderingWagners]

+Joseph Pena the model number is RTHL3550D1086/U and the is a link in the description to it. I capped off the 12 volt lead in the video because it uses 2 AA batteries.

[@Djonemore]

In regard to this can I bypass the 12v and wire in a 24v transformer to run something like a nest wifi connected tstat?

[@kevinj8258]

No longer available at Lowe’s.

[@kenanderson7321]

What if I have two A/C units and one of the units is air conditioning only can I turn off the heat option in the thermostat?

[@WanderingWagners]

This is only for 1ac unit. If you have 2 you'll need 2 thermostats

[@philwhite646]

I found a Honeywell on sale model 7500. Do you need to run a jumper between the R and the RC on an rv? The manual says this unit doesn't need a jumper. Please help

[@WanderingWagners]

+Phil White if you have r and rc wires you remove the jumper. I'd install it as the manual recommends, and if it works, great!

[@schmidty0616]

So all u did was disconnect the battery? Mine broke and need to fix it ASAP.

[@WanderingWagners]

Yes

[@schmidty0616]

Wandering Wagners I can’t figure out the wiring on this so I gave up....,

[@mikepavelka5070]

I hooked up the Honeywell and just left the 12v ground and the low fan disconnected. Ac works fine but now the heat doesnt come on. Any ideas?

[@WanderingWagners]

Double check the wiring

[@mikepavelka5070]

@@WanderingWagners triple checked lol. I cut the wires from the Coleman analog ones so there was no color discrepancies. Not sure what's going on. I'm assuming that heat can be ran off auto and doesn't need to be in the "on" position

[@MissionaryForMexico]

Actually the low fan will operate the unit to a colder operating temperature!

[@philwhite646]

Did the holes match from the original thermometer

[@WanderingWagners]

+Phil White no they didn't. It was close though. I just reused the factory screws and mounted it slightly lower than the original thermostat. The thin wood paneling was super easy to screw into.

[@ExternalDefeat87]

Do you know if this upgrade will void warranty?

[@WanderingWagners]

Not sure, might depend on your specific warranty. I doubt it but it wouldn't stop us from upgrading personally.

[@davidg9927]

My furnace wouldn’t come on just the inverter was humming

[@WanderingWagners]

Double check your wiring

[@TheRickyFleming]

Great video. The only thing that might be an issue for us is sometimes we get a campsite that only has 15A, 120V power where the AC will work on LOW but will trip the Circuit when set on HIGH. Otherwise this looks like a cheaper effective solution to replacing your existing thermostat i your RV.

[@WanderingWagners]

Thanks for the comment!

[@miguelluciani6435]

Thanks for the video, just did the exact same swap in my TT. Though I have a correction to your video, the batteries are AAA not AA.

[@WanderingWagners]

+Miguel Luciani thanks!

[@yeahthatshouldwork]

That explains my problem then!! I tried putting my AA battery, which was suggested in video, in my thermostat and it was too big! I assumed maybe the thermostat had shrunk in size or perhaps my battery was swollen!? Thanks for clarifying.

[@alscotina4978]

Hi just installed a similar honeywell TH5110D Pro. Everything works but there’s a 4.5 minute delay before the AC turns on… any ideas?

[@WanderingWagners]

Could be a timer to prevent short cycling. www.honeywellhome.com/us/en/support/my-thermostat-display-shows-wait-or-waiting-for-equipment-or-has-a-flashing-cool-on-in-display

[@alscotina4978]

Thank you that is very helpful so glad it’s normal I really like the upgrade

[@yaseenali4449]

We like it alot

[@WanderingWagners]

Great to hear!

[@WesternStarTraveler]

How much was it

[@WanderingWagners]

I'm sure it's changed over the years but probably $30+ bucks or so

[@brandoncuts82]

YOU HAVENT ANSWERED ONE COMMENT WTF MAN???

[@WanderingWagners]

+Heart & Soul you sure about that?