WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

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WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

September 03, 2021, 02:31:53 pm

Recently upgraded from the 5-button 2-zone Dometic thermostat to the Micro-Air RV thermostat. Bluetooth local control or WiFi remote control. Access to all settings and control, plus temp readout that the Dometic didn't have (zone 1 only). A friend has it and has really liked it, so I put one in. Works well so far!

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #1 – September 03, 2021, 04:27:16 pm

These are so cool, I'm jealous. Wish they made a version to replace the 4 button CCC, without changing the air cond boards.
Chris

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #2 – September 05, 2021, 08:58:53 am

Hum Keith... wonder if they'll work on Furrion's? I sent an email to Hutch Mounain, the manufacturer to see what they say. Just Nneed to know the control wire interface...

These are really cool. Thanks for finding/sharing!

Jeff

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #3 – September 05, 2021, 09:38:36 am

Jeff, I just talked to Kevin Carlin at Micro-Air. The answer is not yet but they are working on it.

"Our engineer IS working on a Furrion replacement and he thinks it will behave in a predictable way and that we should be able to make it and sell it successfully.

But your next question would likely be "When?" We don't answer that during development. Our experiences include that, just when you think you have the problem licked, an ugly new issue rears its head. It could be this year or next, so plan on next camping season to be safe."

These replace specific thermostats and the device specific communication protocol they use. I am keeping an eye in Furrion too. The Micro-Air is ar least $150 more the the 4 zone Furrion thermostat. Seems like there is room for a new one from them.

It wasn't clear to me from the Micro-Air web site if the thermostat is on (lights on) all the time. If it is, I probably wouldn't like that. You can adjust brightness.

https://www.micro-air.com/products_easytouch_rv_thermostat_touchscreen.cfm

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #4 – September 05, 2021, 10:03:17 am

Thanks Keith. I love this kind of ingenuity...modernizing stuff in our coaches!! Now I'll be able to change the thermostat from bed!!!

FYI, I just ordered one direct from HutchMountain webstore Micro-Air EasyTouch RVâ„¢ Thermostat â€“ Hutch Mountain and including insurance still ended up being $10 cheaper than Amazon Amazon.com: Hutch Mountain Micro-Air EasyTouch Digital RV Thermostat... .

Woody.

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Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #5 – September 05, 2021, 11:00:21 am

I don't need something I can control from bed or a couch - I would just like something that is more user friendly and that I can see without a flashlight.

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #6 – September 05, 2021, 11:18:58 am

This is what came on my coach when I bought it. Has illumination, Aqua Hot labeling, timers and auto features, But you do have to get off the bed or couch to use it. Personally I love it. Mine is white though.

Amazon.com: DOMETIC 3314082000 Thermostat : Automotive

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Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #7 – September 05, 2021, 12:22:49 pm

The micro air will go black after a bit. You have to touch screen for it to light up. You can adjust in the dark. If you have internet in your coach you can adjust anywhere with your phone

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #8 – September 05, 2021, 01:05:20 pm

The screen does have a day mode and night mode you can switch with one touch of the screen. Day mode is a bright screen with darker text. Night mode is a dark screen with lighter text. The picture I posed was night mode.

My main goals for the thermostat were:

Be able to see inside temp and control remotely.

Before leaving on a trip, turn the A/C on before I leave work to come home, so it's cool when I get there.

Being able to set the A/C higher during the day and turn it on remotely before I return.

Set a schedule to run the A/C as I choose.

This device covers all of those. My idea was not to control from another room but rather from the house or while away, so it's comfortable when I get back, without having to leave it set to my desired temp all the time and run the A/C's harder.

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #9 – September 05, 2021, 02:23:26 pm

Sven,

I have replaced all of my lights in the bottom of the cabinets with LED lights including the map light over the left shoulder of the driver in the bottom of the over head cabinet. With the driver's seat swivelled the map ligh switch is hard to reach. To make it easier to have lighting for the thermostat, I installed a touchless on/off/dimmer for that light also in the bottom of the cabinet. With the map light switch on we use this to turn on and off or dim the map light just by moving your hand near the sensor. It lights up the thermostat and front shade switches quite well.
- Lee Valley Tools

You could also do the same with a wifi connected LED lighting controller. "Alexa, turn on the map light to thirty percent"
Amazon.com: Goldwin Smart Single Color LED Strip Lights WiFi Controller...
If your wifi connection goes away then the conroller remains where you last set it and the dash switch turns it on or off.

Simple stuff to make life easier in your coach.

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Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #10 – September 05, 2021, 06:48:16 pm

Quote from: WS6_Keith – September 03, 2021, 02:31:53 pm

Recently upgraded from the 5-button 2-zone Dometic thermostat to the Micro-Air RV thermostat. Bluetooth local control or WiFi remote control. Access to all settings and control, plus temp readout that the Dometic didn't have (zone 1 only). A friend has it and has really liked it, so I put one in. Works well so far!

Keith, I really like that thermostate. Question: I also have 3 airs on my coach with Aqua Hot, so wondering if this will still work? I noticed you have 4 zones listed on yours, so maybe! Is this just a plug and play setup?
Thanks, Joe

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #11 – September 05, 2021, 07:56:15 pm

Quote from: juicesqueezer – September 05, 2021, 06:48:16 pm

Keith, I really like that thermostate. Question: I also have 3 airs on my coach with Aqua Hot, so wondering if this will still work? I noticed you have 4 zones listed on yours, so maybe! Is this just a plug and play setup?
Thanks, Joe

Yes, it will handle up to 4 zones and runs the AH as a furnace. Remove the current tstat mount, unplug the telephone like connection, screw in the two screws to mount it, plug in the connector on the rear and it's done.

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #12 – September 05, 2021, 08:16:49 pm

WS6
Was the change from the 5 button to the new digital basically a plug and play. ?Just plug in the phone cable and attach it to the wall? Any install info would be great as this really looks interesting

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #13 – September 05, 2021, 10:59:36 pm

Quote from: dicksop – September 05, 2021, 08:16:49 pm

WS6
Was the change from the 5 button to the new digital basically a plug and play. ?Just plug in the phone cable and attach it to the wall? Any install info would be great as this really looks interesting

Exactly correct. 2 screws to mount it and plug in the phone cable (RJ-12) to the back of the new t-stat. That's it.

https://youtu.be/YYXV927O6_M

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #14 – September 05, 2021, 11:49:16 pm

I and others have requested the sync button where you only set one zone/unit and the rest will follow. Send them a request at

http://www.micro-air.com/contact_microair.cfm

Hopefully the more that request this feature the sooner they will add it.

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #15 – September 06, 2021, 09:39:24 am

Quote from: WS6_Keith – September 05, 2021, 07:56:15 pm

Yes, it will handle up to 4 zones and runs the AH as a furnace. Remove the current tstat mount, unplug the telephone like connection, screw in the two screws to mount it, plug in the connector on the rear and it's done.

Thanks for that quick reply Keith. I just thought of something else that might make a difference, Heat Pumps! I also have these on the 3 Dometics. If you have the Heat Pump option, is there an issue with this? Sorry for so many questions!

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #16 – September 06, 2021, 12:51:51 pm

Quote from: juicesqueezer – September 06, 2021, 09:39:24 am

Thanks for that quick reply Keith. I just thought of something else that might make a difference, Heat Pumps! I also have these on the 3 Dometics. If you have the Heat Pump option, is there an issue with this? Sorry for so many questions!

Probably a good question for Micro Air. My Dometics have heat pumps, but I've never used them. I believe the AH will do everything I need. Could not run them in combo with the AH anyway, but I did not look into that.

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #17 – September 06, 2021, 02:57:42 pm

Found this review.
http://www.adventurousway.com/blog/easytouch-rv-thermostat-review

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #18 – September 06, 2021, 05:46:51 pm

So far I have not run into a problem with 4 ac/heat pumps and Aqua hot.

But I have not really been in cold weather since I have gotten thermostat

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #19 – September 06, 2021, 11:40:54 pm

Quote

Jeff, I just talked to Kevin Carlin at Micro-Air. The answer is not yet but they are working on it.

"Our engineer IS working on a Furrion replacement and he thinks it will behave in a predictable way and that we should be able to make it and sell it successfully.

Good info.

I received a similar answer from Micro-Air, (different person). Sounds like they are on it, just may take some time... They interesting asked specifically what features "users" thought were valuable or used often.
Such as: (in Furrion's terms) sleep mode, light function, dry mode.

I did answer that I thought:
A schedule function, like within a basic smart thermostat would be great.
A better adjustable lower limit to kick on heat at a lower temp.
Sleep mode on the "heat" setting, drop temp through the night.

GOT ANY WISH LIST ITEMS?

Best

J & K

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #20 – September 06, 2021, 11:44:32 pm

I just put this same unit in yesterday and am very happy with it. My initial motivator was to be able to control the thermostat mode from bed but there are a few other benefits:

1) I can control and monitor coach temp when we aren't there. Great for the dogs or getting the coach cooled down before we get back from a day exploring.

2) We can control the ac/heat as we're driving without getting up/unbuckled. Valuable if you're like me and haven't bothered fixing your dash air yet.

3) It's a less frustrating interface to use in general. Both through the app and using the hardware. It auto-dims automatically and isn't bothersome in the dark.

Initial setup of the app was a little confusing but besides that it's a five minute job to install. I will keep the old thermostat around as a fallback.

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #21 – September 27, 2021, 06:27:34 pm

Elliott, I saw your post on Thermostat conversion from 5 button Dometic to Micro-Air Rv thermostat. I have a 4 button Dometic original thermostat that I would like to change out. Do you think the Micro- Air thermostat you converted to would work in place of my 4 button thermostat? If so, was it a plug and play option or did you have to swithch out A/c circuit boards? Any info you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks, Phillip

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #22 – September 27, 2021, 06:42:08 pm

Quote from: juicesqueezer – September 06, 2021, 09:39:24 am

Thanks for that quick reply Keith. I just thought of something else that might make a difference, Heat Pumps! I also have these on the 3 Dometics. If you have the Heat Pump option, is there an issue with this? Sorry for so many questions!

FYI, I found that there is a heat pump setting AND the furnace setting in the mode options, so you can run either one, just not both at the same time.

Quote from: New24Travel – September 27, 2021, 06:27:34 pm

Elliott, I saw your post on Thermostat conversion from 5 button Dometic to Micro-Air Rv thermostat. I have a 4 button Dometic original thermostat that I would like to change out. Do you think the Micro- Air thermostat you converted to would work in place of my 4 button thermostat? If so, was it a plug and play option or did you have to swithch out A/c circuit boards? Any info you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks, Phillip

Hello Phillip, here's the info they say about the 4-button thermostats:

Not Compatible Without Upgrading Your Air Conditioner Control Board.
Control Board Upgrade Options: Not Sold By Micro-Air

Upgrading to the CCC (3109229.009) or CCC1 (3311557.000) control board would allow you to use our ASY-357-X01 (black) or ASY-357-X02 (white)

Upgrading to the CCC2 (3312227.000) control board would allow you to use our ASY-350-X01 (black) or ASY-350-X02 (white)

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #23 – September 27, 2021, 08:34:35 pm

I installed the Micro-Air in less time than it took me to download the iPhone app for it. The definition of plug-and-play. It functions exactly like the Dometic 5 button thermostat, except now I can control the coach HVAC from my iPhone or iPad, anywhere there's internet or Bluetooth. Today it was in the 40's this morning when I left for the day with the heat on and it got up to almost 90 this afternoon...I set the air-conditioning on when I was on my way back to the coach over the inter-webs, and the coach was cool and comfy when I got home!!!

I love it!!! A couple caveats. The furnace mode (Aquahot) mode on mine cycles on/off when target temperature is reached more often than with the Dometic 5 button...like every minute. Not a deal breaker, but it is annoying to me. I have a request into tech support for them to find a way to modulate temperature deviation range in a future firmware update. The other is that the touch screen is 1st generation stuff...a push screen...not like your glass screen smart phone, it just takes a little getting used to.

All in all, it's an upgrade I'd recommend if you have a 5 button Dometic, and you'd like to have a thermostat that is cutting edge. Woody.

Re: WiFi/Bluetooth thermostat upgrade from Dometic 5-button

Reply #24 – September 27, 2021, 08:54:33 pm

Quote from: Pyolet – September 27, 2021, 08:34:35 pm

I installed the Micro-Air in less time than it took me to download the iPhone app for it. The definition of plug-and-play. It functions exactly like the Dometic 5 button thermostat, except now I can control the coach HVAC from my iPhone or iPad, anywhere there's internet or Bluetooth. Today it was in the 40's this morning when I left for the day with the heat on and it got up to almost 90 this afternoon...I set the air-conditioning on when I was on my way back to the coach over the inter-webs, and the coach was cool and comfy when I got home!!!

I love it!!! A couple caveats. The furnace mode (Aquahot) mode on mine cycles on/off when target temperature is reached more often than with the Dometic 5 button...like every minute. Not a deal breaker, but it is annoying to me. I have a request into tech support for them to find a way to modulate temperature deviation range in a future firmware update. The other is that the touch screen is 1st generation stuff...a push screen...not like your glass screen smart phone, it just takes a little getting used to.

All in all, it's an upgrade I'd recommend if you have a 5 button Dometic, and you'd like to have a thermostat that is cutting edge. Woody.

You also need to request that they either put in a sync button or add another tab for all where you can adjust all units at the same time in an update firmware. Everytime I see that they have a new update I cross my fingers that they have added this but not yet

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