Adding Heat Strips

I had them in my pop up ac. They basicly said they were more like warmers to make it a tad more confterble then to be able to give off any real heat. And they were right.

mobeewan wrote:
Some A/C units have plastic parts in the area where the heat strip mounts that may melt.

Dometic makes a kit for the OP's model. I would hope it doesn't melt things.
Dometic heat strip for B57915 ducted system

There's a different kit for non-ducted systems.

Two points from my experience:
1) Don't expect a huge amount of heat. Doug posted the wattage earlier. A space heater can give just as much or more heat.
2) These things stink like heck on the first use of the season. Before you really need it, run it a few minutes with the windows open.

Check the manual or check with domestic. Some A/C units have plastic parts in the area where the heat strip mounts that may melt.

cavie wrote:
If you add heat strips you must add wire and breaker to carry the extra load of the strips. Also, thermostat to control them. Not a DIY job.

He has a Dometic roof AC. WHY WOULD HE NEED TO CHANGE THE WIRING OR BREAKER????????????. The system is designed for 20 amp max service. The largest Heat Strip is about 12.1 amps. The AC in COOL/Max fan is about 13.2 amps. The heat strips are plug and play. The only requirements are, that for easiest install you have a wall Tstat and you may have to replace the wall tstat if you have NO Heat Strip option, only furnace. You can add a Heat Strip to a Roof mounted control system but you have to replace the Tstat and possibly the ON/Off knob control. Doug

cavie wrote:
If you add heat strips you must add wire and breaker to carry the extra load of the strips.

I don't understand why. There should already be a 20 amp circuit going to the air conditioner.

Cheap Heat

way2roll wrote:
I asked about adding heat strips to a former MH and was told that if your current unit isn't wired for it - with a harness, breaker, and thermostat- it wasn't an easy job or worth the time, trouble and money. Plug in ceramic heater will work just as well and be much cheaper and easier. That was sort of what I was thinking at the time and never bothered to research it much further so I ditched the idea.

They sell the thermostat kit and control box according to Dometic. Still have to check wire size

I asked about adding heat strips to a former MH and was told that if your current unit isn't wired for it - with a harness, breaker, and thermostat- it wasn't an easy job or worth the time, trouble and money. Plug in ceramic heater will work just as well and be much cheaper and easier. That was sort of what I was thinking at the time and never bothered to research it much further so I ditched the idea.

Ceramic heaters are a much quieter and less expensive solution.

cavie wrote:
If you add heat strips you must add wire and breaker to carry the extra load of the strips. Also, thermostat to control them. Not a DIY job.

I have not checked to see what size wire is running to the unit.