Autoterm Control Panels Compared – Heating Modes, Features, Handling

With Autoterm auxiliary heaters you can choose between various control panels. They are essentially the control center of your heating system and offer different settings and features.

To make the choice easier for you, we want to compare the control panels here and explain how the different operating modes work.

Which Heating Modes Are There

Autoterm air auxiliary heaters can work in different modes. However, not every control panel has the corresponding settings and can use every mode.

Basically, the auxiliary heater can run in the following operating variants.

Power Mode

In this operating mode the heater is given a fixed power level. No matter how warm or cold it gets, the heater keeps going at this power regardless.

Temperature Mode

Autoterm air auxiliary heaters can automatically hold a desired temperature. In temperature mode this is done with a fixed hysteresis of -1/+4 °C.

To regulate, the heater slowly ramps down its power as it approaches the upper temperature limit and switches off completely when it reaches it – meaning both the combustion chamber and the air circulation are switched off.

If the temperature falls below the minimum, the heater starts again at the lowest power level.

Heat and Ventilate

The Heat and Ventilate mode differs from temperature mode in one (important) point: when the upper target temperature is reached, the combustion chamber is switched off, but the fan keeps running.

The advantage is a more even air distribution in the room. Without further air circulation, window areas cool down faster, while unwanted trapped heat can build up in corners.

The disadvantage is that the fan is audible. The noise, however, is generally perceived as perfectly acceptable and usually fades from conscious awareness as monotonous background noise. In addition, we offer our highly effective sleep-friendly silencers for the air intake. They greatly reduce the audibility of the air circulation once more, so that even ventilation at a high level (the higher the level, the louder the fan) is reduced to a pleasant degree.

Thermostat Mode

In thermostat mode the heater also holds an adjustable target temperature.

Unlike temperature mode, the user has the advantage of being able to set the hysteresis as well. It can be freely chosen between +3/-7 °C. With these settings the span between maximum and minimum temperature can be widened, which at the same time helps avoid the heater switching on and off too often.

Caution with heating modes that switch the heater off

If you run the auxiliary heater in a mode with automatic switching on and off, it is especially important that the heater is sized to suit the room volume to be heated.

You should not install a heater with 4kW heating output if it is not really necessary – not only does it make it harder for you to settle the room temperature in a sensible range, it also uses more energy and can negatively affect the service life of the heater through sooting.

Not sure how much heating output you need? Then read our article on the Twin Kit, which discusses the right heater sizing in detail:

We present the three important questions for choosing the right heater size for your motorhome:

Twin Kit – All-in-One Solution for Heater Sizing

In thermostat mode, unlike temperature mode, the heater runs at full power until the maximum temperature is reached and also switches back on at full power when the temperature falls below the minimum.

Ventilation Only

Besides the operating modes with a heating function, every control panel offers the option of running the heater purely to generate air circulation, i.e. as a fan.

Which Control Panels Are Available

The control panels are continuously developed by the manufacturer Autoterm. Even though more functions have been added to every control panel over time, customers’ wish for simple, clear operation is still taken into account.

Ordered by both release date and number of features, the following options for controlling your heater are available in our shop.

Mini Control Panel

The Mini Control is a very compact control panel with a deliberately simple operating structure.
This makes it especially suitable for anyone who does not need complex menus and wants to control their heater quickly and directly.

Compact Design

The biggest advantage is its size:
The Mini Control can be integrated very unobtrusively and also fits in installation situations where larger control panels find no space or get in the way.

That makes it particularly interesting for:

• compact campers
• minimalist builds
• people who deliberately want to keep things simple

Functions and Limitations

Due to the reduced design, the focus is clearly on the basic functions of the heater.

That means:

• simple control without extensive menu navigation
• no complex visualization like with display control panels

With the Mini Control you select one level of the power mode. If it gets too warm or too cold with the preset setting, you readjust it yourself.

You can also use the fan mode (without starting the burner) for air circulation.

With water auxiliary heaters, the Mini Control can be used in preheating mode – the heater then runs for 30 minutes to 8 hours and switches off. In “Boost” mode, the heater starts with the vehicle engine and ensures that an optimal operating temperature is reached quickly and held (for the Flow 14, from serial numbers with 6834, 6858 or newer)

Temperature Control – Possible with Optional Accessories

To automatically hold a certain room temperature, this control panel needs an optional room temperature sensor, which is simply connected plug & play.

This way, temperature mode as well as Heat and Ventilate can be used with the Mini Control.

How It Compares

The Mini Control positions itself as the counterpart to the full-featured control panels:

• especially simple
• very space-saving
• ideal for anyone who deliberately does without additional features

Touch Control

The Touch Control is Autoterm’s fully digital operating concept. Instead of mechanical buttons or rotary knobs, control here is via a capacitive touch display.

The central element is a 2.8″ color display through which all functions can be selected directly. The classic “button logic” is thus dropped entirely – settings are made directly in the menu.

That makes operation not only more intuitive but also considerably faster, especially when you switch between different operating modes often.

A digital temperature sensor is integrated in the control panel, which allows precise control of the room temperature. Alternatively, an optionally available external temperature sensor can be used to take the measurement at another place in the vehicle.

Display and Presentation

The Touch Control is clearly designed for visual presentation. All relevant information is shown at the same time:

• current operating mode
• target and actual temperature
• heater status

This way you can see at any time what your heater is doing and can intervene directly.

In addition, the control panel has a multilingual user interface that supports German, English and other European languages, among others.

Heating Modes and Settings

All typical operating modes can be conveniently selected via the Touch Control, including:

• Power mode
• Temperature mode
• Heat and Ventilate
• Ventilation only

The selection is made directly via the menu – without detours through button combinations or multiple levels.

In addition, for water heaters operating modes such as preheating mode (e.g. for preheating the engine or interior) and a so-called booster mode are available, in which the heater works together with the vehicle engine. The desired target temperature of the system can be specified directly.

Timer and Automation

A clear advantage over simple control panels is the integrated timer function:

• up to 3 programmable timers
• all timers can be active at the same time
• heating mode freely selectable per timer
• timers stay active until they are deactivated

This lets you integrate the heater very precisely into your daily routine – for example preheating in the morning or automatic switch-off in the evening.

How It Compares

The Touch Control is less a further development of existing control panels than a new category within the system:

• clear focus on display and user interface
• maximum overview of all functions
• much more comfortable operation with versatile settings

It is aimed above all at users who want to actively control their heater with all available functions.

Comfort Control Panel

The Comfort Control Panel was launched in 2021 in collaboration with us. After we brought our customers’ wishes to the manufacturer Autoterm, followed by a large-scale test phase with numerous tigerexped customers, the control panel has become a truly outstanding control element.

Despite more setting options than the predecessor models (Simple Control, OLED Control), it is very intuitive to use via a multifunction dial .

Operating Modes and Control

Besides power mode, temperature mode and Heat and Ventilate mode, the Comfort Control is so far the only control panel that offers the thermostat mode setting.

The settings are selected with the multifunction dial, and pressing the knob means “confirm”. There are only two other buttons, which mean “Back” and “Quick start / Instant off”.

The Comfort Control is of course also suitable for operation with Autoterm water auxiliary heaters.

Timer

The Comfort Control has three differently adjustable timers. All timers can be activated at the same time. So you can, for example, set different timers for Monday and Saturday (also in different operating modes) and do not have to remember to switch from one timer to the other in between. With this control panel the timers stay active until you deactivate them manually.

Additional Functions – Comfort Control Only

The Comfort Control has voltage monitoring and can automatically switch off the heater when voltage falls below an adjustable lower limit. This ensures that your batteries come to no harm, or that you still have enough reserves for other functions you absolutely want to be sure of.

A burn-off reminder also helps you extend the service life of your heater. If the unit stays inactive for a longer time, a message appears on the display. Simply let the heater run at full power for half an hour and you will not get any problems from deposits in the fuel pump or combustion chamber.

The Comfort Control is the only control panel that works together with the Push Control as a second control panel.

How It Compares

The Comfort Control remains the most versatile control panel for Autoterm auxiliary heaters so far, even if the newer Touch Control looks more modern at first glance.

Unobtrusive and compact in design, it offers a very balanced combination of range of functions and simple operation in a discreet way.

You can view / download detailed information on the settings here:

Autoterm Comfort Control Operating Manual

Push Control

The Push Control is a compact, simple switch. With a stainless steel housing and waterproof to protection rating IP67, it is especially robust and suitable for installation in various places.

Usable as a Second Control Panel

What is special about the Push Control: it fulfills a long-held wish of many auxiliary heater owners and makes it possible to control the heater with a second control panel – that is, from two places in the vehicle.

For example, the heater can now be started from the driver’s seat while driving, while the Comfort Control is installed as the main control panel near the bed or seating area.

Anyone who likes to keep it especially simple can of course also use the Push Control as the main control panel.

Operating Modes and Control

The compact switch limits the control options to the heater’s basic functions with several fixed power levels, which are set by pressing once or several times and shown by color.

A temperature mode is also possible; for this, however, an additional temperature sensor is required.

Installation and Connection

The Push Control is available with a 6 mm thread and Molex connector as the Push Control S (variant shown below), and with a 12 mm thread and round connector as the Push Control L.

Integrating the Push Control is very easy with the supplied control module and connecting cable.

How It Compares

Compared to the other control panels, the Push Control takes on a special role.

It is meant less as a full-fledged main control panel and more as a targeted addition for certain use cases in combination with the Comfort Control.

Functions and Features of the Autoterm Control Panels at a Glance