Why Does My Itasca Meridian Thermostat Never Read Below 32F?

[Mongobird]

My 2004 Itasca Meridian 34 has exhibited a thermal enigma. Specifically, the thermometer for the furnace never reads below 32F I am wondering if there is a limit on that thermostat, or if there is possibly a heater behind it. Recently, the barn it is kept in has been below zero for a couple of days, and when I go in the rig, the display always shows 32F. Stock unit.

Is it a sensor limitation, or is there a secret electron hog in there giving off heat in the digestive process?

 

[RobertToby]

My 2005 Itasca Suncruiser 38J also does not go below 32F, so sounds like it might be a common issue.

 

[Morich]

I might favor going one of two ways depending on what is handy and on hand?
One of the small digital thermometers that record high and low, would check the sanity!
But if you look on the thermostat for a brand and model, it is possible you could find specs online to tell you what it should be doing?

 

[RobertToby]

It really doesn't bother me. If it is showing 32F, I already know it's cold.

 

[wahoonc]

I think that may be the minimum that the thermostat goes to. We upgraded to the MicroAir and they bottom out at 45 degrees. Which is fine by me that is what I set the furnace at to avoid freeze up in most winter conditions we get here in the Sandhills of NC. If it is going to get stupid cold (low teens with minimal warm up) I will add heat lamps and kick the thermostat up to around 50-55. We don't normally winterize, we use the RV as an escape pod or storm shelter if the power goes out.

Aaron

 

[Mongobird]

I can accept that 32F is the lower limit. When I get my hands on a recording temperature sensor I will measure to be sure. But it has been -14F, and that thermostat reads 32F. I will say that inside it does feel warmer than outside, though.

The escape pod idea is great, but I am not sure that my diesel Onan will fire up at -14F. My holding tanks would be big bricks, if they were filled.

I did notice earlier in the season that bottles of water in the refrig were still liquid. I just assumed that changed after the temps went subzero. Now I have to check. The refrigerator power is off.

 

[wahoonc]

I can accept that 32F is the lower limit. When I get my hands on a recording temperature sensor I will measure to be sure. But it has been -14F, and that thermostat reads 32F. I will say that inside it does feel warmer than outside, though.

The escape pod idea is great, but I am not sure that my diesel Onan will fire up at -14F. My holding tanks would be big bricks, if they were filled.

I did notice earlier in the season that bottles of water in the refrig were still liquid. I just assumed that changed after the temps went subzero. Now I have to check. The refrigerator power is off.

I always add anti-gel to my diesel tank in the winter months. Our all time record low as -2F back in 1985. Our winter average lows are around 30F with occasional forays into the 20s. We normally don't bother to winterize, just leave the beast plugged up, electric water heater on and the furnaces set on the lowest setting. Sometimes it is outside under an RV shelter, other times in a lightly insulated pole barn. We have just come off a two+ week run of below average temps. Next week it will be in the 70s and I am going camping!

Aaron

 

[Mongobird]

Normally I run straight #2 diesel when we are camping. The last couple of weeks it has been closer to -10 than to +10 F. In the fallI add some diesel #2 with antigel, but if I were using the rig right now, I would run #1 for short runs.

 

[wahoonc]

Normally I run straight #2 diesel when we are camping. The last couple of weeks it has been closer to -10 than to +10 F. In the fallI add some diesel #2 with antigel, but if I were using the rig right now, I would run #1 for short runs.

I couldn't get the local fuel distributor to tell me if they provide winter grade #2 or not, so I err on the side of caution and dump the additive in. I haven's seen #1 since I stopped heating with oil back in the early 1990s.

Aaron

 

[Mongobird]

Your approach works. But #1 is alive and well. It is on the pumps in northern country in NY and the parts of Canada I have been in.

 

[Mongobird]

So the thermostat stops at 32F, verified with a PIR meter (passive infrared radiometer).

 

[wahoonc]

Your approach works. But #1 is alive and well. It is on the pumps in northern country in NY and the parts of Canada I have been in.

I live in Central NC so winters are usually mild by NY standards. I retired from a company based out of Elmira, NY. They held annual training at the NY facility in January, not my favorite time of year to be up there.

Aaron