Hello all!Just bought a 2000 year model Bigfoot 2500 9.6 camper. I bought it in Colorado Springs, where I left it in a storage lot, before I drive it to AK in 3 weeks.So....it has a 30,000 BTU Atwood forced air heater. It works completely normal EXCEPT that the on-off switch on the thermostat doesn't turn it off. The only way to shut down its operation is to pull the fuse. Again it works completely normally otherwise turning on and off according to the thermostat setting.Any ideas on what might be going on. Any suggestions on which wires to check and where with my multimeter?Appreciate any insight.Thanks,John

You have the old style square mechanical thermostat box?On the one camper where I had to work on the thermostat, there were just two wires coming out of the wall. Connect them - heater runs. Disconnect them - heater stops (after cooling down).You could open and clean the thermostat, and check whether everything looks fine. or just replace it - they are very cheap.It could also be in the heather itself - try bryantrv.com, they used to have the schematics up for the heaters. A stuck relay or a short somewhere.Unless yours is wired differently, of course.

Hi JohnThe on/off switch on the top of our thermostat takes some effort to return it to the off position. I felt like it would break the first few times I tried it. It will make a postitive click when returned all the way. Congratulations on the purchase of your Bigfoot. Bob & Cathy

bigfootgrey wrote:Hi JohnThe on/off switch on the top of our thermostat takes some effort to return it to the off position. I felt like it would break the first few times I tried it. It will make a postitive click when returned all the way. Congratulations on the purchase of your Bigfoot. Bob & Cathy Yes it takes an effort to click to off position .

Thanks for all the advice. REALLY appreciate the responses. I have a picture of my thermostat but I haven’t figured out how to post it yet from my iPhone. I will try a new thermostat, hoping it’s not in the heater itself.

joerg68 wrote:You have the old style square mechanical thermostat box?On the one camper where I had to work on the thermostat, there were just two wires coming out of the wall. Connect them - heater runs. Disconnect them - heater stops (after cooling down).You could open and clean the thermostat, and check whether everything looks fine. or just replace it - they are very cheap.It could also be in the heather itself - try bryantrv.com, they used to have the schematics up for the heaters. A stuck relay or a short somewhere.Unless yours is wired differently, of course.This is the exact thermostat I have. Looks like my picture isn’t working but it’s an Atwood 32300 thermostatIf I replace it can I use a digital model instead??

Atwood Heater Troubleshooting | Good Sam Community

AK_Truck_Camper
Explorer
May 01, 2018
rrupert wrote:
Do yourself a favor and get a simple non programmable digital model. They are very easy to install and give much better temperature control. Lowes, HD, and Walmart all sell them.

Done!! Thanks for the advice!
AK_Truck_Camper
Explorer
May 03, 2018
rrupert wrote:
Do yourself a favor and get a simple non programmable digital model. They are very easy to install and give much better temperature control. Lowes, HD, and Walmart all sell them.

Done! It arrived today, a super basic Honeywell digital! Can’t wait to get it installed!
Thanks for the advice.
chuckklr04
Explorer
May 04, 2018
30k btu? wow, overkill for a TC.
AK_Truck_Camper
Explorer
May 04, 2018
chuckklr04 wrote:
30k btu? wow, overkill for a TC.

In Louisiana it would be overkill, but this one will be used for Winter camping in Alaska!
I’ve tent camped with outside thermometer pictures taken at -50F.
TazFord
Explorer
May 19, 2018
ticki2 wrote:
bigfootgrey wrote:
Hi John
The on/off switch on the top of our thermostat takes some effort to return it to the off position. I felt like it would break the first few times I tried it. It will make a postitive click when returned all the way. Congratulations on the purchase of your Bigfoot.

Bob & Cathy
Yes it takes an effort to click to off position .

Ditto
TazFord
Explorer
May 19, 2018
AK Truck Camper wrote:
rrupert wrote:
Do yourself a favor and get a simple non programmable digital model. They are very easy to install and give much better temperature control. Lowes, HD, and Walmart all sell them.

Done! It arrived today, a super basic Honeywell digital! Can’t wait to get it installed!
Thanks for the advice.

So does a residential thermostat actually work in an RV. I’ve been curious but just thought not. Give us an update AK
S_Davis
Explorer
May 19, 2018
TazFord wrote:
AK Truck Camper wrote:
rrupert wrote:
Do yourself a favor and get a simple non programmable digital model. They are very easy to install and give much better temperature control. Lowes, HD, and Walmart all sell them.

Done! It arrived today, a super basic Honeywell digital! Can’t wait to get it installed!
Thanks for the advice.

So does a residential thermostat actually work in an RV. I’ve been curious but just thought not. Give us an update AK

As long as the thermostat has internal battery power it will work, most of the newer stats can work on power supplied buy the heating appliance or if that is not available batteries in the stat.
TazFord
Explorer
May 19, 2018
I’ll have to give it a try. My current thermostat when set at 70 seems to turn on at 60 and off at 80
Old_Islander
Explorer
May 19, 2018
I think this is the existing one?

I know the OP has ordered a replacement, but for others, I had the same problem. The 'off switch' on mine was so sticky, it wouldn't turn off. This thermostat can be disassembled, and when I did, some slight sanding of the plastic arm under the metal contact (in the red circle), a touch of grease, and it works like new.

As others have suggested, this furnace does not just shut off the instant this switch is moved to the 'off' position. The flame immediately stops but the fan continues for maybe a minute or more, until it's internally cooled...

Hope the new thermostat solves your problems.
AK_Truck_Camper
Explorer
May 19, 2018
Wanted to post that my new basic electronic thermostat works great and took care of my issues. I am not sure my original thermostat was OK, I think I just didn’t use enough pressure on the off switch.
Appreciate the help.

Forum Discussion

Atwood Heater Troubleshooting

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

ATWOOD Water heater

Atwood Water Heater

Atwood Water heater questions

Atwood Water Heater - Diagnosis Thoughts?

Atwood water heater problem