Dometic 2nd Air Heat coil

[orvlin]

Has anyone install a heat coil,in a Dometic 13,500 2nd air in the bedroom ,if so what kind a job was it.Was it worth the money or is a small heater the better option. I camp alot in colder weather.

[PARAPTOR]

I have a heat strip in the AC unit and I think it is useless as compared to a space heater

[Pmedic4]

Originally Posted by PARAPTOR

I have a heat strip in the AC unit and I think it is useless as compared to a space heater

Good information - I'd always considered putting in the heat strip, but really debated about spending more than $20-$40 for a space heater. If you don't mind, could you give your reasoning for saying that?

My first thought was that heat coming from the ceiling AC of the RV is just going to stay up at the ceiling, so there would be no air circulating, like a floor heater, where the hot air rises and the cool air falls. The next part is the AC fans are generally fairly noisy, while the little space heaters are no where near that volume. The first statement is a guess, the second one, I know for sure.

[PARAPTOR]

If you don't mind, could you give your reasoning for saying that?


Okay one day little chilly so turned thermostat on Electric Heat waited and waited felt cool air blowing down seemed like forever, so shut it off and turned on furnace. One day I was on the phone with Keystone and asked if my RAPTOR had a heating strip in it. NO there isn't one. Okay now makes sense that I was feeling no heat. DONE.

One day up there cleaning the filter, well, well look what is up here a heating strip. Turned on the electric heat , strip did not glow so I placed my hand near the strip about an inch before I could feel any heat. That explains why I felt nothing standing below it. Therefore I concluded that it was useless and why I recommend buying a space heater. Really never looked up the rating on that heating strip, thought about calling keystone then remembered that I did not have one Hope that helps

[Pmedic4]

Thanks ParaRaptor - You confirmed more than ever the heat strips are useless.

[mikell]

Get a heat pump AC unit and enjoy not hauling propane or having electric heaters in your way

[Pmedic4]

Originally Posted by mikell

Get a heat pump AC unit and enjoy not hauling propane or having electric heaters in your way

I always figured if I ever had to replace the AC unit on my RV, I would always replace my AC that way. So far, those units just keep working, fortunately.
Knock on wood.

[mikell]

I think the heat pump is only like $300 more and it saves a lot of propane hauling!

[PARAPTOR]

Originally Posted by mikell

Get a heat pump AC unit and enjoy not hauling propane or having electric heaters in your way

Given the extra price I would probably consider going with a heat pump when I need to replace my AC unit. I would not get rid of your electric heaters, if I recall these heat pumps are most efficient at 50 degrees and the bottom range is around 38 degrees. With the Fall temperatures we have been having keep those electric heaters close by.

[Javi]

Just a note.. the Dometic heat coil is 5600 BTU and can only be used on non-ducted a/c units.