Coleman-Mach 15K AC Elect-A-Heat Add-On

[kalik282]

Originally Posted by mstell2

Well what did you decide to do?

I ended up adding the Coleman-Mach Elect-A-Heat add-on. So far, I've been very happy with the results. As stated previously, we don't do winter camping. Fall camping, 2011, was VERY comfortable. The unit worked as expected. Took the chill off, but, would never be considered a replacement for the furnace.

I used the Coleman-Mach "kit" designed for my AC unit, as recommended by the Tech Rep at Coleman-Mach. I also had to change the thermostat to one that had the option for Elec. Heat. (I decided to go with the digital unit, since I was upgrading.) In order to install the whole system, I had to run an extra wire from the thermostat to the AC unit. That part took FAR longer than adding the heat kit or installing the new thermostat.

John

[Murphie]

John, I also have the 15k Coleman Mach AC . Is your AC ducted? I didn't think that was an option. I thought it was to be only used on the non ducted units similar to the one shown in your attachment. Does the fan come on and push the heat thru the ducting? How much was it?

Thanks Richard

[kalik282]

Richard,
Yes, my AC unit is ducted. The tech at Coleman-Mach informed me that they do not have add-on heat restrictions for ducted units. He provided me all the correct part numbers to purchase. The heat "kit" and thermostat both came with installation instructions and a wiring diagram. The new t-stat has a setting for "electric heat" that energizes the heat coil, and turns on the blower motor of the ac unit. This sends heat everywhere your ac sends cool. However, in electric heat mode, the furnace will not come on. You have to switch over to Heat if the electric isn't keeping up with the demand.

I purchased the kit and thermostat separately, for a total of $200.00. ($120 for the kit, and $80 for the t-stat.) (The kit has both the heater coil and the control unit. Each are available separately if a failure should occur.)

The kit I purchased was labeled "non-ducted" on the sellers website, but was the correct part number according to Coleman-Mach. Therefore, I recommend contacting Coleman-Mach, with your serial #s ready, to obtain all the correct part numbers you need to do this conversion.

Hope this helps.

John

[Murphie]

John, thanks very much for the quick reply. It's nice that the you went to the Manufacturer to get the right info. We camp at sites where the electricity is provided so this is a plus in my mind. The stat with a separate setting for electric heat which activates the blower is well thought out. This new stat, would it be digital by chance? We just bought a 30ft travel trailer and I was surprised how much gas the furnace used compared to our previous 19ft. trailer. Thanks again

Richard

[kalik282]

Richard,
See post #11 for your answer.

John

[Murphie]

Oops, now I feel silly. Missed that obviously. Thanks again John