Can I Bypass the InCommand System and Install Standalone Thermostats on My 2020 Keystone Cougar?

Updated 10/27/2026 | Published 10/15/2026

Question:

Hi, I have a 2020 Keystone Cougar 24 RDS with the InCommand system and two AC units. I want to remove the HVAC control from InCommand and use a stand alone thermostat instead. I cant be the only one that wants to or has done this? Do you have a recommendation on how to make this change? Is it as easy as getting a thermostat that talks RV-C and moving the CAN bus from the InCommand to the new thermostat? I am a retired electrical engineer so I am not afraid to take on a task like this. Also, my biggest issue with the current system is that the furnace cycles to much due to the small swing of the IC system and I cant set the temp to lower than 55 F. Id like a thermostat with adjustable swing and the ability to set the temp to 35-40 F so the furnace can be used just to prevent things from freezing before the rig has been winterized. Thanks, kw

asked by: Ken W

Expert Reply:

Hello Ken,

Welcome back.

Normally, I get the opposite question, people wanting to add their AC units to the InCommand system, so this is a little different. But I can see why you want to make the switch, especially with the furnace cycling so frequently and not being able to set the temperature below 55 degrees.

You may be able to bypass the InCommand system and use standalone thermostats, but we will need to make sure they're compatible with your existing equipment.

Can you tell me the manufacturer and model numbers of both AC units and your furnace? I do not have the schematics to what is put on what camper or I would look it up myself. With that information, I can look into what it will take to make the switch and whether we have a thermostat that offers the temperature settings you're looking for.

expert reply by: Kate F

Ken W.

10/22/2026

Kate, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. The back AC is a Dometic B59516.711C0, the from AC is Dometic B57015.711C0 and the furnace is Dometic DF series but I'm not certain of the furnace exact model. Zone 1 on the InCommand is the back AC unit and furnace and zone 2 is only the front AC. tx, kw

Kate F.

10/23/2026

@KenW Thanks for getting those model numbers to me. That helps quite a bit. From what I can see, your Dometic AC units could have one of two different control boxes, depending on how the system was originally set up. Before we go any further, I want to make sure we're getting you the right parts and not replacing anything you can reuse. Can you check the control boxes for both AC units and let me know the part numbers? They're typically located inside the ceiling assemblies. Once I have those numbers, I can reach out to Dometic to see the best way to get you away from the InCommand system while keeping both AC units and your furnace working properly.

Kenw

10/24/2026

@KateF, I sent you a few pictures via email since I couldn't figure out how to attach them here. There are two control boxes in the ceiling. A black one with Dometic 3316945.000 on it and a gray one with the identification not visible. I believe that the gray box is a Dometic relay control unit? My guess is that the InCommand talks RV-C to the 3316945.000 which then talks to the grey relay box that controls the AC unit? tx, kw

Ken W.

10/25/2026

@KateF, One more thing that might help, the black box has a sticker on it with "F/W REV. 1.5.2.0". tx, kw

Kate F.

10/27/2026

@KenW Thanks for sending over those pictures and additional information. I reached out to Dometic, and they confirmed that the black boxes are the gateways communicating with your InCommand system, while the gray boxes are your single-zone control boxes. The good news is that you can bypass InCommand and keep your existing single-zone control boxes. You will need to run three wires from each control box to its own thermostat. For this setup, you can use the Replacement Single Zone Thermostat # DMC79FR in black or # DMC95ZR in white. Each AC unit will have its own thermostat. These thermostats also allow you to set the furnace temperature as low as 40°F, with an adjustable furnace temperature differential between 1°F and 2°F. This will give you more control over when your furnace cycles on and off, which I know was one of your biggest concerns with the InCommand system. Now, if you want to continue controlling both AC units from one thermostat, Dometic confirmed that you will need to replace both single-zone control boxes with multizone control boxes, run communication cables, and install a multizone thermostat. I'm still waiting on confirmation from Dometic that the CCC2 thermostat is still in production. If it is, I will also need to get the thermostat, new control boxes, and communication cable added to our website so you can purchase everything needed for the conversion. Would you rather wait for the multizone if it is still available?