Heat strip

[K-man]

I had a coleman Mach air conditioner installed last spring.  I am thinking "Can I put a heat strip in the unit?"  What would I have to do to do that.  Do I need to change the bottom part of the unit out?  Is my air conditioner compatible for adding a heat strip?  If anyone knows, I would be very appreciative.

K-man

[tlhdoc]

I don't have a Coleman AC, but from what I have heard adding a heat strip isn't hard.  I am sure someone that has heat strips in a Coleman AC will give you the information that you need.  

[2manytoyz]

Here's what the heatstrip looks like: http://2manytoyz.com/camp/mods/heatstrip1.jpg

This panel with the heatstrip element replaces the stock panel.

You'll need another part too.  It's very likely your shroud doesn't have a heat position on the switch.  You can either get a new shroud (more expensive), or RVP, the maker of the Coleman A/C, offered an upgrade kit that consisted of a new switch and bezel.

The new switch will have a wiring harness that simply plugs into the heatstrip.  It's the white cable in the photo below.

http://2manytoyz.com/camp/mods/heatstrip2.jpg

Only need simple tools to install this.  If you need more details, let me know.  I'd check with Camping World to see if they have what you need available.

FWIW, I highly recommend the heat strip in Southern States.  As long as the temp doesn't go much below mid 40s to low 50s at night, the strip will do a fine job.  Temps below that, you'll need an auxillary heat source too.  There's a trick to using the strip.  Turn it on as soon as the temp starts to drop.  It's a slow heater, don't expect hot air coming out, that's not the way it works.  It warms a high volume of air that's being shoved into the bunks, right where you need it most.  In colder weather, I use a small electric heater to assist.  By putting it on the floor under the air intake, the warm air rises into the A/C, is heated more, then pushed into the bunks.  As long as it isn't too cold outside, you'll find yourself turning it down.

We survived this: http://2manytoyz.com/camp/camp2/snow.jpg
 

[K-man]

Thanks for the information.  I will check at Camping World, and if that fails I will check with the local dealer.  I have a portable electric heater I used last year during trout season, (got down to 18 degrees),  but I thought adding the heat strip to the AC would help.

Thanks again,

Keenan :W

[mikewilley]

I had a Coleman Mach air conditioner installed last spring.  I am thinking "Can I put a heat strip in the unit?"  What would I have to do to do that.  Do I need to change the bottom part of the unit out?  Is my air conditioner compatible for adding a heat strip?  If anyone knows, I would be very appreciative.

K-man

K-man,

We were thinking about adding a heat strip to our Coleman Santa Fe AC unit too, but I have changed my mind.  After camping in sub freezing temperatures we found that the camper remained much warmer if we put our ceramic electric heaters on the floor, rather than a table, or something higher.

Without trying to do a complete thermodynamic analysis on my camper, what I think is going on is that when a heat source is at or above the canvas level there is no opportunity for any heat retention (it all goes straight out the canvas), when you put the heat on the floor, there is some heating of the trailer box which has a lot greater heat capacity (the ability to store heat) than canvas so more heat stays in the camper and less heat leaves.

I also highly recommend electric blankets between you and your mattress on the bunk ends, this helps more than you can imagine and since electric blankets draw very little power, you can run them and your ceramic heater without blowing a circuit breaker.

cheers,
mike

[2manytoyz]

Mike,

That's essentially what we did.  The big plus of the heatstrip is that the warm air from your portable heater rises and goes into the intake of the A/C unit.  From there, it's warmed even more, then pushed into the bunks.

The heatstrip, even in your case, would only help rather than hinder.  That's 5600 more BTUs, and heat where you need it most.

If I camped in such temps frequently, I'd upgrade to a furnace.  The big problem with the popup is no insulation.  Heat quickly escapes through the tenting.  

An electric blanket is a huge help.  Even if the camper is icey, the bed will be warm.  

I do take a propane heater with us.  If the power goes off in the night, we still have a source of heat.  We just follow safety precautions.

Anyone else got Popup pictures in a snowy setting?  The campground was almost empty when we went, and there were no tents or PUs.

[woodthumb]

K man..... I installed a heat strip in my Mach A/C Sept of '02.  It has been great for us here in central FLA.  We also have small ceramic for those under 40 nights, but usually the strip is sufficient.  I ordered mine directly from Suncoast RV ( all over South ) for 65.00 +-.  They will need your model number.  It comes with harness, new switch and decal for heat setting as well as thermostat probe, gaskets. etc. Everything you need and it took me about an hour.  Good luck.

[K-man]

I called tw0 different places today, and the cost is going to be about $90.  I plan to purchase it closer to my use.  No need in spending the money just to have it sitting in the garage, waiting to be installed.

Thanks for the help and information.

Kman