Dometic A/C controller

[Jeff Bayley]

This Dometic controller is starting to get more and more erratic. Turns itself off and sometimes back on again. Any tips ? Replace the head unit or did someone comment there's yet again another controller somewhere ? The buttons are weird. Have to press them numerous times to get them to respond, especially the up / down arrow buttons for the temperature setting. Do others have this problem or it just time to replace it ?

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Jeff, this is a guess as I have no idea, but wondering does the controller cover open to maybe a battery that needs to be replaced??

Good luck, JIM

[Danss]

The four button controls are no longer av. I replaced mine with 5 button. No more 2 finger stabbing. Good luck

[Jeff Bayley]

Jim-

Good idea. I went and gave it a tug and pull and it does appear that the cover comes off or in my case, might break off. Does anyone know the answer to the battery question being in the controller before I go and break it and make it worse ?

Danns- The upgrade sounds good but can you elaborate ? I don't know what "av" stands for in this application and also........the 5 button........ ? Is that a straight replacement from Dometic ? Order it from them I presume or is there some generic controller you refer to ? Would love to find a photo of it or more online if you can give me some key words to search with.

Anyone know if there is a control board between the controller and the A/C's and where that is located ? I've got a Royal. Too bad the Royal Coach Club (which I haven't joined) doesn't have a forum.

[CAPT MOGUL & Sandy]

Jeff, "av" means available. "5 Button" means that there are 5 buttons to push on the new control. You don't have to push the first two buttons together to select. Only one button on the "5 button" changes the units.
Sandy

[lewpopp]

Jeff,

I may be far out of the loop but is that the controller to the exhaust fan? If so, and it isn't a Fantastic I would call them anyways because they are sharp guys. They know their competition well. I'll bet they would help you with your problem.

[CAPT MOGUL & Sandy]

Lew, we have the exact controls for our AC,furnace,heat pump,etc. Ours is still working fine on our 97 Royale. It is in the exact location just like Jeff's bus. On the wall behind the driver's seat . Our fan in the bathroom is different than Jeff's.
Sandy

[garyde]

Hi Jeff. The t-stat controller can be purchased from Grainger. It is probably a 4 or 5 wire connection. There may be abatterry which you can change by removing the cover carefully. Its usually by finding the release tabs on the sides or top and bottom.

[Larry W]

I have one of the thermostats that has to be pushed a number of times to get the setting. There was an article in a FMCA magazine about how a person repaired his. He was quoted $450 for a new one. I can't find it now, but am still looking. The problem is the contacts inside get bent. The person took it apart and carefully got things back in shape. If I find the article will let you know. The release to take it off the wall is on the very bottom and the wire on mine looks like a phone jack. I plan to try the repair next week.

[Jeff Bayley]

Lew- No, that has nothing to do with the fans. Like CAPT MOGUL & Sandy said, it's A/C and heat controls only. It does control which Aqua Hot go on and off in the 3 zones.

Gary- Did you guy a replacement 5 button controller from Grainger ? If so, how many wires do you have to deal with, figure out to change it over. Is it a Dometic brand or a generic upgrade / replacement ?

CAPT MOGUL & Sandy- I'm confused a little. Help me out. You said you had the exact same unit that is still working fine on your 97 Royal but then again I think you said you have a 5 button..........that you replaced the one I have with a 5 button. Was it $450 as Larry say's ? If you got it from Dometic, did it come with instructions on what how to modify it to work with 5 button or is all color coded and just "cut and paste" type of replacement ?

Still no comment on any control board that was made mention of somewhere along the way that goes between this wall controller and the A/C's. Also, no comment on the remote thermostats (I think I had that is another thread) which are the brown, round, remotes in each zone. Do these things all just blow or is there an adjustment one can make when replacing the wall unit (ie, a screw for each zone maybe ?).