Community Forums

deprived · 03-07-2022, 10:30 AM

I'm installing a replacement ducted Mach 3 A/C unit next week (or the week after, weather permitting) and I'm thinking about adding a heating element to the unit.

My understanding is that they do not put out all that much heat, which is okay with me, so we don't need to debate that.

My question is in regards to how they operate.

How do they work in conjunction with my existing propane furnace? Do I need a new thermostat regulate both the new AC heater and the basement propane heater? Does my existing Coleman thermostat control both heat sources?

If you have installed one of these on your ducted Coleman AC setups, I'd like to hear what you learned.

dizcom · 03-07-2022, 10:48 AM

The heat strips and furnace are independent of one another. If your thermostat can already cycle on the heat strips then you don't need to do anything with them. Otherwise, you'll need to add a thermostat that will turn on the heat strips when you want them on. We had them in a previous coach and the thermostat could be set to use either the heat strips or the furnace for heat. If it was particularly cold, the thermostat would kick on the furnace even if I set it to use the heat strips. Your thermostat either has the extra control for the strips or it doesn't. A new one is plug and play but you might need to run an extra wire to the heat strips, depending on your setup.

deprived · 03-09-2022, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizcom

If your thermostat can already cycle on the heat strips then you don't need to do anything with them. Otherwise, you'll need to add a thermostat that will turn on the heat strips when you want them on.

Yeah - I see what you're saying. I'll start here.

Thanks!!

TandW · 03-09-2022, 07:16 AM

Much prefer the heat of a small, portable, QUIET barn heater on the floor than the roar of puny, drafty overhead heat-pump with resistance backup. Your results will vary.

TXiceman · 03-09-2022, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TandW

Much prefer the heat of a small, portable, QUIET barn heater on the floor than the roar of puny, drafty overhead heat-pump with resistance backup. Your results will vary.

The barn heater on 120 VAC puts out the same 1500 Watts or 5115 BTUH as does the strip heater in an A/C unit. It is simply a matter of preference and tolerance for noise and drafts.

A heat pump operating on the same 120 VAC circuit will produce 10,000 BTUH up to15,000 BTUH.

I prefer the small ceramic heater that I can move around or put up under the bed when not used. Right now, we are at 45 degF and I am running the heat pump on the opposite end of the trailer for a comfortable 72 degF in the trailer.

Ken

TandW · 03-09-2022, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

The barn heater on 120 VAC puts out the same 1500 Watts or 5115 BTUH as does the strip heater in an A/C unit. It is simply a matter of preference and tolerance for noise and drafts.

A heat pump operating on the same 120 VAC circuit will produce 10,000 BTUH up to15,000 BTUH.

I prefer the small ceramic heater that I can move around or put up under the bed when not used. Right now, we are at 45 degF and I am running the heat pump on the opposite end of the trailer for a comfortable 72 degF in the trailer.

Ken

Yes. Carry a ceramic heater around too. But it is either on low or high or fan only. The 5x12x16 barn heater has a fan large enough to quietly push the heat around.
We are at 34F outside and 71F inside the WinView and it is snowing here in Manheim Pa.