Can RV Furnace Run on Analog Only Thermostat
Updated 07/06/2026 | Published 07/01/2026
Question:
Good day. I just purchased a Furrion chill cube from you guys and it replaces a Dometic Penguin unit. When I replace the Dometic that means the thermostat controlling the furnace will be ineffective and that is not unexpected. Question, if I use a Suburban analog t-stat to control the furnace independent of the Furrion unit does that need 12v power or is it just an open/closed contact activated by the mercury bubble? If it does not need 12v power where does the furnace get its igniting power? Thanks!
asked by: Walt E
Expert Reply:
Hey Walt, the furnace in your RV basically just needs a thermostat that will connect a circuit to allow it to kick on. A purely analog thermostat wouldn't work but if it's one that wires run to that connect and close the circuit when needed it would work. Or if you like the thermostat from your old AC setup (assuming that was what you were using with the furnace) you could just leave that in your RV and continue to use it.
Ricky
7/2/2026
I just put that in my Thor ACE this replaced a colman that went out the Furrion had a hand held thermostat that you can contol so far I haven’t had to turn my front one on because the Furrion does great
Jameson C.
7/6/2026
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Furrion Variable Speed Chill Cube RV AC w/ Heat Pump & Ceiling Assembly - 18K Btu - Non-Ducted - R32
- RV Air Conditioners
- Complete AC System
- Heat and Cool
- 18000 Btu
- Standard Height
- Single Zone
- Rooftop
- Non-Ducted
- Black
- Furrion
more information >
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Walt E.
7/2/2026
Thanks again for your response and your support. I do wonder though. It is my understanding that the Dometic "system" that included the Penguins roof unit, the t-stat, and the furnace needs the control board that is in the Penguine unit to transfer the signal from the Dometic t-stat to the furnace so if the roof unit is not there and the control board is absent then the Dometic t-stat won't control the furnace. Am I incorrect?