Remote switch for Furnace

RickW wrote:
A more elegant solution might be to use two DPDT switches, one at the T-stat and one at the bed. Either one will turn the T-stat on or off.

Good idea. You have to look harder for small DPDT switches.

A more elegant solution might be to use two DPDT switches, one at the T-stat and one at the bed. Either one will turn the T-stat on or off.

I added a remote switch this week. It was one of the things I knew I would miss on our old camper we just replaced (had the thermostat by the bed).

When I opened up my thermostat it had a screw connector on one side (on back) of the off switch and on the other side the screw was on top. I didn't want to secure a wire to the front of the thermostat and the screw stuck through the back far enough I could put a nut on it. Just attached to the two sides of the switch with a double conductor thin wire I had in my junk collection (I think it was cheap speaker wire). The work was finding a path all the way to a spot close to the bed. I used a micro toggle switch just so it was different from other switches I have mounted close to the bed. Since I was buying some extra LED lights from SuperBrightLEDS.com I checked for switches and they have a nice assortment of switches priced cheaper than Radio Shack, so I threw a couple of switches in my order. Delivered to my door a couple of days later.

Now either the thermostat on/off or the toggle switch will turn the furnace on (if temperature is set high enough to come on). Just have to be sure both are off when you don''t want the furnace to run.

Just remembered one problem you may have if you use the nut on the back of the screw trick. Mine was a strange size something like 5-36, I also have a large hardware collection so I had it in stock.

You'll almost certainly have to open up the thermostat and see if you can short the off switch to on.
If so, then you could solder wires to those two points and wire in a normally-open switch operated by a remote control switch.

The challenge would be to source a remote switch and control.

sabconsulting wrote:
Good idea.

I assume you have one of those with a switch on the bottom and a thermostat slider on the top (or is it the other way around - can't remember). If you could open the case you might be able to solder a pair of wires onto the contacts of that on/off switch, then take the wires to where you want them and fit another switch in parallel. That would mean you could turn on the furnace from the other location, but you'd have to remember to ensure both switches are turned off in order to shut the furnace down again.

Steve.

Simple and certainly the least expensive, though routing wires to another manual thermo (I wouldnt use manual switch but would work)might be challenging. Most thermostats use screw terminals so'd be easy to tap thermostat running new wires to bed area or tapping existing wires anywhere including at heater. As noted though either location can turn on, if both on auto can only turn off with both.
The remote would be simplest if getting up to prewarmed camper worth the cost. I personly dont do well with electronic devises till after noon. But the programble option would simplify that- cept I dont have a furnace so need to get up to manualy light the wave. Hmm getting back into bed while camper warms..that never occurred to me. I always huddle like a caveman in front of the wave.

You could use this. You can use the furnace wiring as a 12v source if you install it next to the furnace.

Edit: by using this, you can also start the furnace while driving the last part to your camp site to pre heat the camper.

OK, here's the drill: You wake up. It's cold. You jump out of bed and flick the furnace to ON, and jump back in bed. Ten minutes later, the camper is toasty and you get up and start the day. What's the problem?

I installed a digital programmable thermostat and just set the clock to raise the temperature when I get up. Note - not all thermostats will work on 12V dc systems. What you do is pick one you like and before you pay for it, flip it over and call the manufacturer's tech phone number on the back of the package. Let them know you are installing it in an RV (dont say truck camper - that will confuse them ) and tell them it is a 12 volt system.

Also tell them if you are only controlling just the heat or heat and A/C

Good idea.

I assume you have one of those with a switch on the bottom and a thermostat slider on the top (or is it the other way around - can't remember). If you could open the case you might be able to solder a pair of wires onto the contacts of that on/off switch, then take the wires to where you want them and fit another switch in parallel. That would mean you could turn on the furnace from the other location, but you'd have to remember to ensure both switches are turned off in order to shut the furnace down again.

Steve.

My thermostat is next to the bed. Turn on, get up 15 minutes later.