hot dawg thermostat hookup problem

[rvcoaster]

ran into quite the issue today, i'm planning on hooking up four of the five thermostat connections (i'm not using Y). my thermostat needs the C to run it and i might as well hook up the G while i am at it as the thermostat has that feature.

inside the hot dawg i cannot turn R and W. i can turn the screws for G and C but cannot budge R or W. i tried three different screwdrivers and i can feel the screws starting to deform.

i tried rocking them back and forth with no luck. they are STUCK. i dont really know what to do.

 

[CARS]

I can't help with the screw issues. Good luck.

But why such an elaborate thermostat? Why not a cheap, two wire unit??

 

[rickairmedic]

Sounds like maybe somebody got a little carried away with the solder at the factory . The screws shouldnt be that hard to turn . Can you see the backside of the screws ?

Rick

 

[rvcoaster]

its hard to see in there with the board upside down. i can sorta see the threads.

the R and W are all the way out.

the thermostat came in a kit, i got everything except the thermostat cable and some odds and ends.

 

[rickairmedic]

Well if they are stuck all the way out and you cant turn them in without stripping them . I would be calling the 800 number in the instructions and telling them I need a new control board and what the issue is .


Rick

 

[dave67fd]

Well i would like to think they are stuck in the down position. I did have a couple of mine that were pretty tight but they cracked loose.

Try applying a little WD-40 or equiv. penetrating oil. You could also try the opposite like carb cleaner/alcohol as they might have gotten a bit of solder flux on the thread. The screws on the board are fairly easy to access (with the side access cover removed). You could also hold the terminal base with a pair of needle nose while cracking the screw loose so you don't tear it from the board/solder joint.

 

[rvcoaster]

i actually got them to turn today. i used one of those short stubby screwdrivers with a big pattern on it, suitable for a 4" drywall screw. it fit into the thermostat hookup screws quite nice and with a controlled amount of power i was able to get them to turn very slowly at first and then after in and out a few times they acted normal.

i hooked up the thermostat with the four wires and it works! lights up and everything without batteries.

now i just need mr propane man to come and bring my tank (and hook up the propane, i have no pipe)