Heat Coil

[calewjohnson]

Receiving a new trailer next week, Outback 323BH. Saw an add on for the AC, a heating element. Thought it would be a great idea for the cool mornings, just to knock the chill off. I know this is counterproductive if in freezing weather, since the heat won't go into the belly........ With that being said, how does it control the temperature? Do I turn it on fan? Looks plug and play, but if I select heat on the thermostat, it kicks the furnace on.... Thanks in advance!

Cale

[B_O__Plenty]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If you think a heat strip is expensive, be prepared for "sticker shock" when you look at the so called "cheap heat" system.

I've "rolled my own" for about $250.00 total cost.

X2 What an overpriced piece of junk! Do the same thing with an electric box heater or two for about 1% of the cost and you don't wear out or have to listen to your furnace fan either..

B.O.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If you think a heat strip is expensive, be prepared for "sticker shock" when you look at the so called "cheap heat" system.

I've "rolled my own" for about $250.00 total cost.

[JC2]

Here is an electric furnace addon to your existing lp furnace that is available. It blows warm air through the same ducts as your lp furnace and might warrant a closer look.
http://www.rvcomfortsystems.com/

[Bumpyroad]

and since a heat pump puts out air at about 85 degrees, it feels cool when you sit in a draft of it. I've had about 8 of them over the years, including the infamous HP83111 by Leonnex and they all suck.
bumpy

[ShapeShifter]

It's hard to get opinions as to what will effectively "take out the chill" as different people have different temperature sensitivities, and are comforted by different amounts of heat. Someone may say that a particular heat source is enough to make them comfortable, but it may not be enough for you. Or it could go the other way: someone may say it's not enough, but you might think it's just fine. As an example, DW and I can never agree on temperatures, so we compromise: she's cold and I'm too warm.

The heat strip will put out about the same amount of heat as a hair dryer. So if you think that'll be enough heat for you, then go for it (the heat strip, of course, the hair drying is not designed for long term use!) You have to decide if the convenience is worth the cost (a portable heater is the same heat, but less expensive.)

For about the same amount of electricity, a heat pump will put out a lot more heat than a heat strip, but still not as much heat as a propane furnace. Of course, the heat pump costs a lot more than a heat strip. And while a good residential heat pump may work down to about 30 degrees, the RV units seem to cut off around 40 degrees - mine must have an outside temperature sensor, because once the outside temperature drops to below 40, the heat pump shuts down and the furnace automatically takes over.

[jnharley]

We had a unit with a heat strip and it worked just fine for what it did, take the chill off. We had our unit for 7 years and never had any problem with our compressor from running the heat strip and it always our first chojce when the temps dipped. We now have heat pumps and they work great. We have 2 units and both are also heat pumps. When our furnace quit working, we were able to stay warm using the bedroom heat pump. We have not filled a propane tank since February and that includes time exercising the LP generator. So the heat pumps do help to minimize propane usage.

[calewjohnson]

camperforlife wrote:
I had one, used it frequently and it does exactly what you want it to do,take the chill off. If you turn it on and expect instant heat, yo will be disappointed.

Thanks, what I am looking for. With kids and pets running around, I don't have to worry so much about space heater safety.... Plus, to get a couple of nice heaters will cost about as much as the heat strip... Not too worried about saving electricity, since I don't pay for it anyway...even if I did have to pay for it, it would keep me from turning the furnace on and use propane.

Cale

[pianotuna]

Hi Bumpy,

Installing the heat strip is pretty low tech for someone who does DIY. Cost for materials is a bit more than a stand alone heater at around $70.00. Time required is well under 20 minutes.

I've separated out the control for the furnace with a second thermostat so I can run the heat strip--and if it gets too cool the propane furnace will cut in.

That said, my RV came with the heat strip already in place--and I would rather have had a heat pump. If the air conditioner fails I'll probably upgrade it to a heat pump.

[camperforlife]

I had one, used it frequently and it does exactly what you want it to do,take the chill off. If you turn it on and expect instant heat, yo will be disappointed.

[Bumpyroad]

B.O. Plenty wrote:
1500 watts is about 5200 BTUs. It won't matter if it's a heat strip, electric fireplace, "Amish" heater or milkhouse type heater. They all put out the same amount of heat for the same amount of power. Why waste more energy to run your A/C fan or other just to try and blow that little amount of heat around?

because they wasted the $200 to install the heat coils and it is easier to laud how wonderful it is instead of admitting that it was a waste of about $180.
bumpy

[B_O__Plenty]

1500 watts is about 5200 BTUs. It won't matter if it's a heat strip, electric fireplace, "Amish" heater or milkhouse type heater. They all put out the same amount of heat for the same amount of power. Why waste more energy to run your A/C fan or other just to try and blow that little amount of heat around?

[my_toys]

I have a heat strip in my ceiling ac unit. I love it. Last night, 40 outside, 70 inside. It is not an instant heat. It is ducted. I have 4 ac/heat vents across the rv. The furnace has 2 vents. The furnace is hotter and quicker. I also have a small ceramic heater. At 40 deg. the little thing was working it's butt off. Last night is the first time I turned on the furnace. Well worth the money in my opinion.

[Bumpyroad]

a waste of money. a $17 ceramic cube is better. and you aren't wearing out your AC fan motor or hearing that noise, nor being charged extra in the campground for using electric heat. if you have ducted air, most of your heat will be lost anyway.
bumpy

[Lynnmor]

rvten wrote:
A heat pump unit and a heat strip add on are 2 different things.
Other than being a little noisy. They are great to about 40 deg.
They make no more noise than your A/C.

This is the correct answer.

People try the heat strip for a few minutes and expect instant warmth. If you let it run, it will indeed work well in cool weather.