outside thermometer

[Carl n Susan]

Now I am curious. When we bought our rig two years ago, there was a discussion here about the CCC and its external thermometer. I haven't searched for the discussion but I seem to remember it was the same cast of characters in that discussion as this one (richfaa, Bingo, etc). The answer at the time is that while the Dometic CCC has an internal and external thermometer feature, Montana chose to only utilize the internal probe, The external probe was not installed.

Has this changed in the last two years such that the external probe is installed? Is this documented anywhere or is it rumor?

[bncinwv]

I have not verified that it is functional on our new rig, Carl. I do know that it was not functional on the 2011 one, but Dometic sold the sensor kit that would make it so(and I am thinking it was around $20 and required fishing telephone line or similar to the thermostat). From Rich's comments, it appears that it is now functional on his new rig. So for verification purposes, we are going on a one rig count so far. I will not have the opportunity to verify on our rig until mid-April, but will definitely do so. Does it appear to work on yours?
Bingo

[bigskyjimmy]

I checked under my air cond I did not see a temp probe ,so that explains the "flatline" figure when I hit the outside temp button,OH WELL off to Costco and buy a weather station AND other stuff while I'm at it

[bethandkevin]

Ours works.

[paulinbaja]

I use a wireless sender outside and readout inside. This works fine as I place the sender on the top of the tire on the other side from the sun. At least it worked well until I did just what you thought. Actually I did once run over the unit but it still works. I don't forget it any more.

[richfaa]

I am saying it is functional on this 2013 3402 Big Sky. Right now it is night the outside temp on the CCC reads 51 degrees. My Phone reads 51 degrees and the wally Mart outside thermometer reads 52 degrees. The CCC function reads fine as long as it is night, gloomy, no sun. When the sun is out..no cigar

Kevin..are you saying that yours works under all conditions???

[DonandBonnie]

Interesting! We have a 2012 Big Sky 3700RL. We do not have an outside temperature sensor, nor was it mentioned as an option when we placed our order for this rig.

[bncinwv]

Based on all of the above it appears the change to make the outside temperature feature on the thermostat work was made on the 2013 models. Ours is a 2014 model so I assume it is also enabled. I will check, but if the installation puts the temperature probe inside of the air conditioner cover, it will work about as well as Rich's, I would surmise, since our ac covers are black. Wonder what the maximum reading is? I may be able to test that when we are in Florida in July!!

[richfaa]

The max is 105 degrees according to the manual anything over that will read 105 degrees so says the book. Been there done that when the real outside temp was 80 degrees. We hit 100 degrees in the shade two summers ago at our S&B.
It is working fine right now and is following the temp drop as seen on our two other thermometers.
It works fine just keep it out of the direct sun and perhaps most of our South western States.

We like the wally mart outdoor sensor and the indoor read out. We had it on our last Montana and we have it at the S&B. I do not much care that the CCC does not work I was just curious.

[bethandkevin]

Kevin..are you saying that yours works under all conditions???
[/quote]
It works well. As for in direct sunlight, I can't say for sure what it reads. We've only parked in direct sun once while in Chicago. It was 109* when we set up, I didn't need to check the temp to know it was hotter than I liked. I am not sure where the probe is, I assume the same as yours and others. I think it was just easier for Keystone to run the probe leads with the rest of the A/C wiring from the roof top unit. May be that it's part of a pre-wired harness even. In any event, the outside temperature function has worked ok for us-we normally park in a shaded area to ease the effort on the A/C.
Maybe this is the opportunity for you to add pop-up solar panels to your rig Rich. The panel could shade the A/C pod when deployed.

[JandC]

The Domestic in our 2014 doesn't have the button for "Outside Temp". There is a blank button space in the lower right side of control panel, is that where it is generally located?

[richfaa]

Thanks Kevin, yes in the shade it works fine. We are in the direct sun now. Real outside temp is 54 degrees. CCC outside temp reads 104 Degrees. Don't think I will put shorts on.

[richfaa]

The CCC measured outside temp is now down to 96 degrees. Miraculously the inside temp of the Montana is only 78 degrees . Dometic and Montana have been able to design a A/C Rv combination that can keep the inside temp cooler than the outside temp by nearly 20 degrees without the aid of air conditioning. Why does it not feel like 96 degrees outside.????