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Topic: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation (Read 1320 times) previous topic - next topic

Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Heading home from recent adventure in NAC...it is getting kinda cool in the mornings in Texas, so we're using our heaters...mostly the front one.

The front heater works great - my gripe is with the location of the thermostat.  (See photos below)  Some genius at Foretravel had the bright idea to mount the thermostat directly above the 2-burner Gaggenau AND the microwave/convection oven.  :headwall:  As a consequence, when you are heating or cooking anything, the heat rises and fools the thermostat into thinking our coach is warm and toasty...thereby defeating the purpose of the device.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever relocated their thermostat?  I'm thinking perhaps the foreword facing side of the cabinet, which is above and to the right of the kitchen sink, would be much better.  There, it would accurately sense the air temp in the "living room", which is the where we spend most of our time.  Seems like it would be much more effective in that location.

Haven't actually looked at where the wiring is run yet.  I'm hoping it goes through the upper cabinets above the sink, and can simply be moved to a different location.  While I'm at it, I might consider replacing the thermostat with a more modern version.  Any suggestions in that regard?

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #1 –
I replaced our 95's with the LuxPro ProSpec Series, PSD010B and run about $26 from Plumbers Outpost.
jor

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #2 –
No big deal extending the wiring and relocating to a more temperature-stable location.  Unless the OE thermostat is not functioning, can't see a reason to change it.  It is a very simple device and you can even set the temperature delta between cut in/out.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
It is a very simple device and you can even set the temperature delta between cut in/out.
Both of our thermostats still work fine.  I'll have to study up on that adjustment, and try it.  DW says that aspect could be improved.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Both of our thermostats still work fine.  I'll have to study up on that adjustment, and try it.  DW says that aspect could be improved.


Remove the cover.  The temperature delta adjustment is a lever on the bottom (degrees between cut-in and cut-out temperature).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #5 –
The LUxpro is what a few of us used a couple years ago when this item was talked about then. I moved (in the 94 240) the living room area one to exactly the same location as you think and it worked much better. The wiring came from the side of fridge to back corner (next to outside wall) so easy to add onto then pull thru the base of upper cabinets. Was a simple change over and as you commented should have been that way from beginning.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #6 –
The thermostats that came with my Atwood Air Command also control the Atwood heaters. However, I have not found a way to set the thermostat below 60 degrees. This is fine for air conditioners, but falls way short of setting the heaters to prevent freezing.
 
What would be the simplest way to be able to set the furnaces to come on at 45 - 50 degrees and not burn up all my propane?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Remove the cover.  The temperature delta adjustment is a lever on the bottom (degrees between cut-in and cut-out temperature).
EASY!  Thanks, Brett.  I'll play with them this winter and see if I can "fine tune" the heater operation a bit.

You know, we've owned our coach for 3 years now, and I have never popped the cover off either of those thermostats.  They always fell into the "If it ain't broke, don't mess with it" category.  Just goes to show how we can learn something new every day from this Forum!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #8 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
What would be the simplest way to be able to set the furnaces to come on at 45 - 50 degrees and not burn up all my propane?
 
Separate thermostat for heater only?  This one can be set for a range of 35 F to 90 F:

https://customer.honeywell.com/en-US/Pages/Product.aspx?cat=HonECC+Catalog&pid=TH1100DV1000/U
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Location

Reply #9 –
Got my thermostat moved (to get it away from stove/microwave heat).  Decided to also relocate the Cool-O-Matic Fan control while I was at it.  Since the old original Taytronics inverter had been replaced, I had a nonfunctional inverter control panel taking up space on the wall next to sink.  I removed the panel, took it apart, and repurposed the front plate to mount the thermostat and fan control.  Worked out pretty nice, I think.  8)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Reply #10 –
Looks good, and to answer questions about the 60 degree lower limit on thermostats it's to prevent condensation inside the heat exchanger. Unless you have a stainless steel heat exchanger the mildly sulfuric acid condensate will cause corrosion. 93% high efficiency heating appliances have SS heat exchangers, and produce a large amount of acidic water, depending on how much sulphur is in the fuel gas.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Reply #11 –
Mine is in the same spot. Must have had the same crew on our '93's.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Jeff & Sandy –
Mine is in the same spot. Must have had the same crew on our '93's.
It was truly the worst possible spot to locate both of those controls.  Whoever came up with the idea was a idiot.

In my original post, I pointed out that heat rising off the gas burners and microwave would fool the thermostat into thinking the coach was "hot", so the heater would shut off prematurely (or not come on at all).

The opposite situation also occurs.  If it is cold outside, and we run the Cool-O-Matic to expel cooking fumes and vapors, it draws cold air in through the (open) bathroom vent.  The cold air flows across the bathroom ceiling and past the thermostats on it's way out the exhaust fan.  This cold air again fools the thermostats, but this time into thinking the coach is too "cold".  This would cause the heater to run excessively, and the Cool-O-Matic fan to shut off.

PLUS, who positions a thermostat that controls a heater a couple inches from the ceiling?  Note to interior designers: HEAT RISES!

Sometimes you gotta wonder what they were thinking...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Reply #13 –
Chuck, you must understand how to become an engineer these days.
Fill all your pockets with marbles. Go off to college. Everytime you learn something new, throw away a marble.
Once you have lost ALL your marbles you are an injunear. >:D  >:D
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Reply #14 –
I still haven't figured out what driving a train has to do with installing a thermostat >:D
Len and Deb Speiser
1999 U270 36'
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
You're either on the bus, or you're off the bus!--Ken Kesey
If you're lucky enough to live in a bus, you're lucky enough!

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Reply #15 –
Chuck I r an injuneer and I agree with the comments about the original BAD location for the tstat. Tstat as we refer to them are like real estate, location, location, location... To further enhance your location, since its on an exterior wall you may want to extend the plate so that it's mounted on slightly off the wall and cover the back of the plate with some thin foam from a Styrofoam dinner plate.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
...since its on an exterior wall...
A very good thought - however, looks can be deceiving.  The walnut panel upon which the tstats are now mounted is actually a "false wall" of sorts.  There is about 2" of dead air space between that wood piece and the actual coach wall.  I guess it was designed that way to allow room for the heavy wiring that supplied the inverter control panel, the PowerWatch panel, and the duplex outlet below it.  I am confident the tstats are sufficiently insulated, and will now reflect the actual interior air temperature.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Atwood Hydro Flame Thermostat Relocation

Reply #17 –
Sounds like you're good to go
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake