Remote Temperature Sensor May 27, 2025, 03:03:07 pm A couple years ago, the original Lazy Daze digital clock died so I replaced it with a new La Crosse unit. Unfortunately, the new remote temperature sensor was larger than the old one and would not fit in the factory casing underneath the motorhome so I’ve been setting the remote sensor on the back bumper ever since.I finally got around to working on a solution. I found this PVC compression coupling at Lowe’s which was the perfect size to house the sensor but had open ends so needed to be sealed up. This location under the motorhome, next to the gray water tank, works (communicates with the base) but I may look at a more protected area going forward. 2 Likes
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #1 – May 27, 2025, 03:37:12 pm Hi Greg. That factory supplied housing was open at the base, right? I think that was to let air in, so the sensor would respond to outside air temperature. Your new housing is all sealed up, so you might have a very long time lag before the outside air temperature shows up on your inside display. The sensor should be rain tight, you could drill holes in your housing to let air in. My older LD didn't have an outside sensor. The sender unit I have now hangs on the driver mirror arm. I hope that will keep me from trying to drive with it still deployed. I move it around to keep it out of direct sunlight. Is has a small bubble 'wrap' bag now to keep the rain and sun off of it. My TST TPMS has a temperature and pressure readout on the dash while I'm driving. It tells me the spare's temperature which is a good reflection of the outside temperature. It doesn't work with the engine off. RonB
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #2 – May 27, 2025, 04:30:43 pm Quote from: RonB - May 27, 2025, 03:37:12 pmHi Greg. That factory supplied housing was open at the base, right? I think that was to let air in, so the sensor would respond to outside air temperature. Your new housing is all sealed up, so you might have a very long time lag before the outside air temperature shows up on your inside display. The sensor should be rain tight, you could drill holes in your housing to let air in.Hey, Ron, that’s a good point I had not considered. I have a remote camera that reports the temperature so I’m going to set it on top of the gray tank and compare the temperatures throughout the day. If I end up having to drill holes in the housing, I would want to relocate it where it’s more protected from rainy driving. Thanks!
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #3 – May 27, 2025, 05:44:42 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 27, 2025, 04:30:43 pm I would want to relocate it where it’s more protected from rainy driving. The propane tank compartment should have room and be out of the elements.Larry 3 Likes
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #4 – May 27, 2025, 07:28:15 pm Like Larry, I always used the propane compartment. Plenty of air circulation, but no chance of rainwater if you mount the sensor near the top of the tank.
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #5 – May 27, 2025, 08:01:50 pm Sounds like an idea worth exploring. My thinking was to locate it as close to the middle as possible. Did you guys notice any erroneous temperature readings when the sun was on that side of the rig?
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #6 – May 27, 2025, 08:12:20 pm I cannot think of any location that will not be affected by the sun hitting the side or end of the MH.Any location under the rig will take many hours to read accurately after a long drive until the accumulated heat bleeds off.Unless you are willing to move the remote thermometer to the shady side each time you park, there are always going to be times the indicated temperature is not accurate.Larry
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #7 – May 28, 2025, 06:14:19 am My LD was too old to come with a factory-installed exterior temp sensor.The Class A came with a user-installed temp sensor. It had a piece of extra-strong Velcro stuck on the back, with a matching piece on one window on each side of the coach, under awnings. I'd put the sensor out only when I was going to be in one spot for a while. On a few occasions I drove off with the sensor attached; the Velcro held it, even at highway speeds.Mark H. 3 Likes
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #8 – May 28, 2025, 08:00:30 am Greg, The compression coupling is a good start. Get a threaded cap to put on the bottom end for a replacement port for the sensor. Instead of sealing the other end use a short piece of 1 1/4 pvc pipe inserted in the top of the coupling that has a O-ring seal to secure the pipe. Then add a "L" fitting similar to what LD did and copy the rest of the pipe direction down to let air (but not water & dirt) access to the sensor. LD very securely bolted this to the body and you should do something more secure than tie straps wherever you place it. A location anywhere under the coach will give you higher temperature reading from the pavement, engine and tail pipe heat until all cools down. 2 Likes
Re: Remote Temperature Sensor Reply #9 – May 29, 2025, 03:00:03 pm Thanks for all the information and suggestions. I've been monitoring the temperature of the remote sensor and comparing it to a camera I placed very close to it. So far, the temps are tracking within a few degrees at worse so not too bad. I'll probably make some modifications to the housing and relocate the sensor at some point.
Topic: Remote Temperature Sensor (Read 340 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: Remote Temperature Sensor (Read 340 times)
previous topic - next topic