Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Renovations => Topic started by: floridarandy on May 29, 2023, 08:41:09 am
Title: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: floridarandy on May 29, 2023, 08:41:09 am
We've had ours for about 6 months now and I wanted to post a brief review. I learned about the Easy Touch here on the forum and chose to replace our stock thermostat, which was working fine, principally due to the ability to remotely start/stop, change temps and also change modes (cool/heat pump/furnace), especially when away from the coach.
The thermostat was a plug/play install using the same phone cord wire used in our factory thermostat. It was simple to program and can be set with individual heat cool temps or in automatic mode where heat and cool will respond to user input temps to cool or heat. Heat can be either heat pump, furnace or aqua hot. The unit also allows schedules to be input to run automatically if desired. As a side note, for our new Dometics, we chose heat pumps with soft starts on both to enable use with our lithium/solar system.
Access to controls of the thermostat are either at the display, via Bluetooth within range or WiFi anywhere in the world if the coach has internet access and the phone/app has internet access. We travel with an "always on" hotspot in the coach and have some amount of internet in about 90% of our travels. Access to controls is the same whether on the display or the phone app. The display can be set with separate home/away settings with separate temp/mode/schedule if desired. We leave the display in night mode which leaves the display off until touched. This not only functions as a screensaver but also leaves the display off at night. Day and night display settings are available.
The display shows local weather, outside temps as well as inside temps at thermostat and in bedroom.
The phone app (apple or android) functions just like the thermostat display. For those of us without bedside control to our systems the app provides the ability to start/stop, change modes and temps without having to get out of bed at night.
Checking on the coach when it's in storage or when we're away for the day is nice. Turning on the AC or heat before we return makes it nice on hot or cold days and also a must have for pets.
The only annoyance so far is that it doesn't automatically switch between WiFi sources so when we leave our home WiFi I need to manually enter the SSID and password for the RV hotspot.
At $250 it's not cheap but for the us the control and convenience are worth the cost. Dometic, Coleman, Furrion, and Atwood versions are listed on their website. 2 year warranty.
I have no financial interest in this company or product. I offer this as my experience only. Your needs and mileage will vary.
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: Herb Stark on May 29, 2023, 10:07:35 am
We've had ours for about 6 months now and I wanted to post a brief review. I learned about the Easy Touch here on the forum and chose to replace our stock thermostat, which was working fine, principally due to the ability to remotely start/stop, change temps and also change modes (cool/heat pump/furnace), especially when away from the coach.
The thermostat was a plug/play install using the same phone cord wire used in our factory thermostat. It was simple to program and can be set with individual heat cool temps or in automatic mode where heat and cool will respond to user input temps to cool or heat. Heat can be either heat pump, furnace or aqua hot. The unit also allows schedules to be input to run automatically if desired. As a side note, for our new Dometics, we chose heat pumps with soft starts on both to enable use with our lithium/solar system.
Access to controls of the thermostat are either at the display, via Bluetooth within range or WiFi anywhere in the world if the coach has internet access and the phone/app has internet access. We travel with an "always on" hotspot in the coach and have some amount of internet in about 90% of our travels. Access to controls is the same whether on the display or the phone app. The display can be set with separate home/away settings with separate temp/mode/schedule if desired. We leave the display in night mode which leaves the display off until touched. This not only functions as a screensaver but also leaves the display off at night. Day and night display settings are available.
The display shows local weather, outside temps as well as inside temps at thermostat and in bedroom.
The phone app (apple or android) functions just like the thermostat display. For those of us without bedside control to our systems the app provides the ability to start/stop, change modes and temps without having to get out of bed at night.
Checking on the coach when it's in storage or when we're away for the day is nice. Turning on the AC or heat before we return makes it nice on hot or cold days and also a must have for pets.
The only annoyance so far is that it doesn't automatically switch between WiFi sources so when we leave our home WiFi I need to manually enter the SSID and password for the RV hotspot.
At $250 it's not cheap but for the us the control and convenience are worth the cost. Dometic, Coleman, Furrion, and Atwood versions are listed on their website. 2 year warranty.
I have no financial interest in this company or product. I offer this as my experience only. Your needs and mileage will vary.
We love ours. We have always on internet. We access it from anywhere. In Texas when we leave the coach, I always leave the AC on at 80d summer and heat at 40d winter. A very good addition to our coach, makes it as easy as our townhouse to remotely monitor and change temperatures. On our way to the coach we lower the temp on the AC so we can be comfortable when we arrive. If I forget to adjust it before we leave, I can do it from my phone. We have had ours about 6 months also. Purchased because of good reports on this forum. Thanks.
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: turbojack on May 29, 2023, 02:16:29 pm
The only annoyance so far is that it doesn't automatically switch between WiFi sources so when we leave our home WiFi I need to manually enter the SSID and password for the RV hotspot.
I solved this problem by adding the RV hotspot SSID to my home AP. I just need to remember to turn on RV hotspot when leaving and off when getting home.
This would be a good feature to add. I will send them an email asking for this to be added. I suggest that others also send them an email asking for this to be added to the firmware. It took them a while but we now can turn on or off all 4 AC's with 1 (maybe 2) button push instead of having to go to each unit in the control.
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: Journey, Roam, Explore on May 29, 2023, 10:08:29 pm
Looks like a cool thermostat to have. I just checked the website and they do not have one for the Atwood as yet. I wonder what the difference is are? When I replace the dometics with the atwoods I couldn't get them to work with the aqua hot so I had to put in manual thermostats for that. When I called Atwood they were absolutely no help. Now I'm wondering if it was just that I had the wrong thermostat. But others had made it work so who knows..
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: GleamB on May 30, 2023, 08:34:26 am
I bought one after reading posts on the forum. It did not solve my problem. Brand new. In the box. For sale.Look for my previous post.
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: GleamB on May 30, 2023, 08:40:03 am
Picture:
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: genehorr on June 03, 2023, 11:20:14 am
I am looking for a replacement thermostat for the 4 button Duo Therm Comfort Control. The problem I have is that there is a lot of somewhat conflicting information about what works and what is required.
The current problem is that I cannot switch zones for control. I suspect the problem is the Fan button. Yes, I could repair it but if I need to dig out the soldering iron I would rather do this to use a newer system that is currently supported.
Are there any currently made units that are compatible with this system?
Gene
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: Jim Frerichs on June 03, 2023, 11:57:42 am
Oh yes, the push buttons wear out eventually. There is a repairman in the Foretravel l commercial section the makes it work normally again. Or Google for it (repair of Dometic four button thermostats). New push buttons unscrambles the confused thermostat chip.
Jim
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: Jim Frerichs on June 07, 2023, 09:30:19 am
There are no replacements for a Dometic 4 button thermostat unless you also replace the circuit boards too. Then you can use a Dometic 5 button thermostat or the popular Micro Air replacement.
Some have also upgraded to the Dometic 10 button programmable model. Jim
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: genehorr on June 07, 2023, 01:41:07 pm
"...no replacements..."
Thanks. That isn't what I wanted to hear but it is the information I am looking for. I did see the circuit board replacement. The price isn't too bad (well, for an RV...) unless one has to replace it on both units. Also one runs into the issue of replacing a circuit board on a unit that may not last too much longer anyway. So I can now see why the suggested option is to just repair the original and keep the system limping along.
Gene
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: Jim Frerichs on June 07, 2023, 03:10:13 pm
The Micro air thermostat normally is not fictional on a 4-button system usually found in a '97 coach... unless you have upgraded to the 5 button circuit boards and therefore wanting to replace a 5-button thermostat. Perhaps by now they may make a Micro air thermostat for the 4-bttton systems. Jim
On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 12:42 PM genehorr via ForeForums noreply@foreforums.com> wrote:
Quote
"...no replacements..."
Thanks. That isn't what I wanted to hear but it is the information I am looking for. I did see the circuit board replacement. The price isn't too bad (well, for an RV...) unless one has to replace it on both units. Also one runs into the issue of replacing a circuit board on a unit that may not last too much longer anyway. So I can now see why the suggested option is to just repair the original and keep the system limping along.
Gene Gene
97 U320 3rd Owner
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: turbojack on June 07, 2023, 03:48:34 pm
Hi Dan, Have you considered having your 4-button thermostat repaired? That stops the frustration of bad push buttons, etc.
Me? I don't have a 4 button or an issue with buttons.
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: Jim Frerichs on June 22, 2023, 05:09:30 pm
Gene,
Each air conditioner need a circuit board. Jim
On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 12:42 PM genehorr via ForeForums noreply@foreforums.com> wrote:
Quote
"...no replacements..."
Thanks. That isn't what I wanted to hear but it is the information I am looking for. I did see the circuit board replacement. The price isn't too bad (well, for an RV...) unless one has to replace it on both units. Also one runs into the issue of replacing a circuit board on a unit that may not last too much longer anyway. So I can now see why the suggested option is to just repair the original and keep the system limping along.
Gene Gene
97 U320 3rd Owner
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: genehorr on June 23, 2023, 02:12:00 pm
"Each air conditioner need a circuit board."
Thanks, Jim.
I was able to resurrect the thermostat with a hefty application of CRC contact cleaner, so one issue put off for now. I left the switches in one piece and just gave several good shots. Description of the process:
1) Remove thermostat from mounting plate by prying down and out on the bottom tab. 2) Remove RJ11 "phone jack" plug in the back. 3) Remove the circuit board from the front cover with the four screws at each corner. 4) Spray the cleaner into the tops and sides of the switches. I tried to avoid getting any on the LCD panel, but there was some overspray. It didn't hurt it as far as I can tell. Work the switches, then spray again. 5) Let dry (pretty fast - a few minutes) & reassemble.
Title: Re: 6 month Review: The micro-air EasyTouch RV WiFi Thermostat
Post by: Jim Frerichs on June 23, 2023, 02:42:45 pm
Those weak push-button switches in 4-button thermostats actually weaken from age as well as from contamination. Many folks try contact cleaner though they often fail again sooner when sprayed. Over the years I have replaced several dozens of them that were sprayed - the become gooey. Kudos to the brave folks who take them apart and mange manage to put the tiny parts back together successfully. Just my 2 cents Jim
On Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 1:12 PM genehorr via ForeForums noreply@foreforums.com> wrote:
Quote
"Each air conditioner need a circuit board."
Thanks, Jim.
I was able to resurrect the thermostat with a hefty application of CRC contact cleaner, so one issue put off for now. I left the switches in one piece and just gave several good shots. Description of the process:
1) Remove thermostat from mounting plate by prying down and out on the bottom tab.
2) Remove RJ11 "phone jack" plug in the back.
3) Remove the circuit board from the front cover with the four screws at each corner.
4) Spray the cleaner into the tops and sides of the switches. I tried to avoid getting any on the LCD panel, but there was some overspray. It didn't hurt it as far as I can tell. Work the switches, then spray again.
5) Let dry (pretty fast - a few minutes) & reassemble.