a/c unit heating element?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4083
Printed Date: 06 Jun 2025 at 9:55pm
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Topic: a/c unit heating element?
Posted By: wingnut2312
Subject: a/c unit heating element?
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 11:44am
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I was looking on campingworld.com and came across a heating element that can be added to coleman a/c units. It allows heating by electric vs propane.
Has anyone checked into one for the rpod a/c units? Does it exist? ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Replies:
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 11:45am
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http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/coleman-mach-mach-8-electric-heating-element/69629
This is the link to what I saw. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 11:49am
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Ok, so it does exist and looks cheaper than most portable heaters. Has anyone ever installed one? If so, how do you disconnect the furnace? ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 12:53pm
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Don't bother. Everyone I have ever talked to says a small portable heater heats better and, obviously, much quieter. The option also isn't cheap since you can buy 2-3 portable heaters for the cost. If you can't install it you will also need to pay for that, too. I recently discovered mine came with the "heat strip" option (although it wasn't activated) and I removed it while doing maintenance on the evaporator. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 1:15pm
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Gotcha. Figured it would run on the same fan settings which would make it a little difficult to sleep. Thanks! ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 3:23pm
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My last motor home had 2 Coleman air conditioners with the heat strips. The motor home had ducted air distribution and no matter if we were in heat or cooling mode, the system was very quiet. Note, the keys words are Coleman (which are much quieter than Dometics) and ducted air distribution. My present pod has a Coleman, and if I did not live in Florida I would probably install a heat strip in it. I believe my 178, which is on order, comes with a Dometic. If so, I would choose a portable heater over the heat strip. So, I agree with all the comments. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 4:40pm
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Thanks! I have a battery question. How do I know the battery is fully charged? I'd hate to depend on the power center reading in the pod. Is there something we can buy to let us know? Is the full light bar on the power center accurate? Thanks again ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 5:31pm
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Best way is a voltage reading with the battery 'at rest', meaning no charging or discharging for at least 3 hours. Then compare the voltage reading with the colorful chart about 2/3 of the way down on this page: http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Deep_Cycle.htm - http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Deep_Cycle.htm There are other ways, including expensive meters which measure amps in and amps out (like Trimetric). ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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