Welcome to another Tech Tip Tuesday, where we bring you essential RV maintenance advice to keep your travels comfortable and stress-free! Whether you're a seasoned RVer or just getting started, knowing how to properly set your RV air conditioner thermostat can make all the difference in keeping your rig cool during those hot summer days.
I’m Jeremy Wagers, a Master Certified RV Technician and Instructor specializing in Advanced Air Conditioners & Heat Pumps. Today, I’ll share key tips to avoid common thermostat mistakes and ensure your RV’s air conditioning system runs efficiently.
Understanding Your RV Thermostat
Your RV thermostat is the control center for your air conditioning system, regulating temperature and airflow. There are several types of thermostats, but two common Coleman-Mach models include:
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Analog Thermostat (Dial-Based)
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Digital Thermostat (Button-Based)
Each thermostat type has specific settings that control your AC unit. If set incorrectly, your system may not cool properly—even if the fan is running.
Common RV Thermostat Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Mistake #1: The Fan is Running, but No Cold Air
A frequent issue RVers face is hearing the AC fan running but not feeling any cool air. I recently helped a first-time RVing couple with this exact problem. Their analog Coleman-Mach thermostat had the fan speed set to high, but the temperature was set to 90°F, preventing the compressor from turning on.
✅ How to Fix It:
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Make sure your thermostat is set to “Cool” mode, not just “Fan.”
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Adjust the temperature to your desired cooling level.
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Set the fan mode to “Auto” instead of “High” or “Low” to allow the compressor to cycle properly.
Mistake #2: Digital Thermostat Temperature Not Properly Set
Many RVs today feature digital thermostats that display the ambient room temperature. However, many RVers assume this number is the set temperature—when in fact, it needs to be manually adjusted.
For example, just because the display reads 72°F, doesn’t mean the AC is set to cool at that temperature! You need to use the arrow buttons to lower it to your comfort level.
✅ How to Fix It:
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Use the up/down arrows to manually set the desired temperature.
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Double-check that your system is in “Cool” mode, not just displaying the current room temperature.
(Fun fact: I like my RV at a crisp 68°F, while my wife prefers 72°F—we still haven’t settled that debate! 😂)
Final Thoughts: Stay Cool & Comfortable
Understanding your RV’s thermostat is crucial for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature during the summer. Whether you have an analog dial or a digital display, small mistakes—like setting the fan to “High” instead of “Auto” or forgetting to lower the temperature—can leave you sweating in frustration.
Always double-check your settings, and refer back to these simple fixes whenever you run into cooling issues.
For more RV maintenance tips, stay tuned for the next Tech Tip Tuesday!
💬 Have questions? Drop them in the comments below!
🚐💨 Happy RVing & Stay Cool!