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

[kalik282]

I am considering purchasing the Elect-A-Heat add-on for my Coleman-Mach 15K AC unit.

Has anyone else done this? Thoughts? Worth it? Easy to install? Capable of cutting down/eliminating the need to run the propane heat?

We usually take along electric heaters for the early spring/late fall trips, and this could cut down on extra stuff to pack. (We don't do winter camping.)

I've included the installation instruction sheet w/part #...

Thank you in advance,

John

[cfsoistman]

Mine isn't a Coleman but I can say the add-on strip heater is nice. In my case they maintain the temperature down to around 40 degrees outside. The only thing is most portable heaters are quieter than the AC unit fan. But when you use a portable heater you are using up one of your 15 amp breakers and limit the use of other receptacles on that circuit. When you have the strip heater in the AC unit you're just using the same breaker that the AC unit uses and all of your receptacles are available for other appliances or whatever.

[jimh]

my 84 fleetwing had a coleman ac w/heat strip. i camped in the dead of winter with it where the outside temp dropped as low as 45 deg F, and it kept the trailer warm (i like the trailer abt 65 to 68 in winter).
the air doesn't seem warm but it keeps the trailer warm. i may have actually been able to stay warm w/ outside temp in the 30's, but never tried.
i have a carrier heat pump in the fdw hole on my present trailer. it has a heat strip for when the temp gets too cold for the heat pump or the heat pump goes into defrost cycle. air coming out is slightly warm but keeps the bedroom and bathroom warm. the lower part, of the trailer, doesn't get enough circulation to really tell. now i have had it on when the temp got down into the mid 20's and we were warm. heat pump stopped somewhere around freezing (should have stopped at 40 deg). knew the heater strip had come on because of the "first use" smell.

i didn't read thru the instructions but on the dometic and the carrier ducted version, it wasn't recommended. if ur unit is ducted, u may want to look for that and see if it can be used.

as far as installation? easy, just mount with a screw and plug in. if u have to replace the thermostat, that is a couple screws as well. if u have ducts, may want to make sure u have clearance around it (plastic parts and sides). i really don't know why they aren't recommended for the ducted versions. there is someone on here that has done it though.
worth it? u can get more out of a portable heater but the one in the overhead unit is more convenient. one draw back is that it blows all the time (the newer ones may be different). that isn't very comfortable if ur lightly dressed and in direct path of the air.
would i buy one knowing it cost more than a portable electric heater and blows all the time? yes. at least u still have the option of running it and u may find urself out and a cold front comes thru and u forgot ur heater.

[kalik282]

Charlie,
Thanks for the info. The ease of use and lack of tying up outlets are two of my reasons for wanting to do this.

Jim,
Again, thanks for the info. I had not heard of the fan having to run all the time. Will call Coleman-Mach on that one. I have read that their unit is OK for use with ducted AC units, unlike the Dometic.

Both,
Good to know that these units are capable of taking the chill off past 40º!

Thanks again,

John

[herk7769]

Did you see this note?

NOTE

The optional heating assembly is intended to take the chill out of the indoor air when the air is a few degrees too cool for comfort. The heater is an effective “chill chaser”. It is not a substitute for a furnace.

[kalik282]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Did you see this note?

NOTE

The optional heating assembly is intended to take the chill out of the indoor air when the air is a few degrees too cool for comfort. The heater is an effective “chill chaser”. It is not a substitute for a furnace.

Lou,
I was wondering if anyone would actually read the attachment!

Yes, I saw it, hence the nature of my original question. The add on heat units are pricey, and if all they do is "take the chill off", I think I will stick with the portable space heaters. However, if they are as others have said, and good to about 40º, then I should be OK. We use the furnace now, when the heaters can't keep up, or we need the AC outlet/amps. This should work the same way, I would think.

John

[herk7769]

I installed one of these in the Bedroom, The Furnace keeps the LR/Kitchen area warm just fine. Due to "no registers" in the 5th wheel's BR it gets cold with the doors closed (guests).

Only 400 watts (120VAC) and works great.

Envi High-Efficiency Whole Room Electric Panel Heater - White (Model # HH1000) - eheat.com

[kalik282]

Originally Posted by herk7769

I installed one of these in the Bedroom, The Furnace keeps the LR/Kitchen area warm just fine. Due to "no registers" in the 5th wheel's BR it gets cold with the doors closed (guests).

Only 400 watts (120VAC) and works great.

Envi High-Efficiency Whole Room Electric Panel Heater - White (Model # HH1000) - eheat.com

Lou,
That could be the "Hot" ticket!

Seriously, at only 450 watts, (according to their website,) so easy to wall mount, and only $120, might be the way to go.

John

[herk7769]

Originally Posted by kalik282

Lou,
That could be the "Hot" ticket!

Seriously, at only 450 watts, (according to their website,) so easy to wall mount, and only $120, might be the way to go.

John

My mistake! Let me be the first to tell you that it works GREAT for such a small low draw heater. In the winter I can run the fireplace and the Envi at the same time on a 20 amp circuit when I work on the camper.

[mstell2]

Well what did you decide to do?