Atwood furnace voltage questions

[Maineiacs]

Puzzled by a seeming conflict between the furnace and the thermostat voltage requirements. The furnace runs on 12 volts. The Dometic thermostat runs on 120 volts. How does anyone with this combination manage dry camping in cold weather? (Assuming no generator)

[ctbruce]

Are you sure that the thermostat is 120vac? I'm pretty sure it is 12vdc.

You'll need a way to charge the battery because the furnace fan will drain it/them.

[chuckster57]

The furnace and thermostat should be 12VDC. The 120VAC is for the fan and compressor in the roof A/C unit. There is a 12VDC relay for the 120VAC.

If your dry camping, the thermostat will control the furnace, not the A/C unit. This is assuming you DONT have in command.

I would assume the in command system operates the same way.

[Maineiacs]

I don't have access to our coach right now but I'm fairly sure the t-stat only functioned when shore power was applied. Couple of times when we moved campgrounds, the furnace kicked on immediately when the shore power cable was plugged in. Time will tell I guess.

[flybouy]

The thermostat in your camper is a "low voltage" thermostat and operates with 12vdc to operate the control boards in the furnace and air conditioner(s). The control board in the air conditioner controls the 120vac for the compressor and the fan by operating relays.

[sourdough]

^^^^^The thermostat will be 12vdc. Look inside of it, if like mine and others you may have the lugs labeled +12vdc/-12vdc etc. - or, throw a meter on it while it's operational.