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Old 12-09-2017, 10:47 AM   #1
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How does the heatstrip work and what is it?

Can someone help me understand what the heastrip is and how it works? On my 2014 Georgetown is how this option on both the front and back thermostat.
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Old 12-09-2017, 11:02 AM   #2
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The heat strip is just that a strip that heats up, like space heater, located in the air conditioner unit. When activated on the thermostat the air coming through the air conditioner unit blows across the heat strip and blows warn air from the ceiling ducts.

I find they are not very efficient and only work well on days that are chilly but not cold.

Hope this helps.
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Old 12-09-2017, 11:18 AM   #3
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They are not very effective for really cold days/nights. They can heat the entire RV, but it is a slow process. I typically run the furnace to get the RV to the Temp I want, then use the heat strips to maintain.
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Old 12-09-2017, 11:23 AM   #4
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When I use our heat strips I close off most vents and it will produce enough heat for most nights unless the nights get down into the 20's.
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Old 12-09-2017, 11:27 AM   #5
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It's not a hot blowing air but enough to help take chill out. It works best when combined with a fireplace or other supplimental heat source other than your propane furnace.
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Old 12-09-2017, 02:15 PM   #6
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Just what I was looking to understand! Thank you all very much.
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Old 12-09-2017, 03:23 PM   #7
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I find that it works ok down to 40. Below 40 I use furnace.
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Old 12-09-2017, 05:09 PM   #8
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When turning a heat strip off, be SURE to leave the blower on for a couple of minutes to allow the strip to cool down. Otherwise, the high heat WILL trip a safety switch which does NOT have an automatic reset. Years ago, I had to disassemble my AC interior to manually reset said safety switch.
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Old 12-09-2017, 05:53 PM   #9
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Wow! Ok.... so how do you do that? Do you set to fan or do you just turn the thermostat down?
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Old 12-09-2017, 08:37 PM   #10
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Mine has a distinct odor that we are not fond of..so we use it sparingly.
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Old 12-09-2017, 09:49 PM   #11
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It was probably a unique situation. I have never had that issue. And any odors were there were burned off after the first time.

When I installed it, I made sure there was nothing it could touch. It gets extremely hot.
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Old 12-09-2017, 10:30 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by EricNJ View Post
Wow! Ok.... so how do you do that? Do you set to fan or do you just turn the thermostat down?

Instead of just switching it off, switch it from "Heat" to "Fan" (or "Blower"). Allow the fan to blow unheated air for a minute or three. By then, the heat strip will have cooled enough that it will be safe to completely turn off.
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Old 12-10-2017, 07:21 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoenig24 View Post
Instead of just switching it off, switch it from "Heat" to "Fan" (or "Blower"). Allow the fan to blow unheated air for a minute or three. By then, the heat strip will have cooled enough that it will be safe to completely turn off.
I don't know why or if there was any issue but this is very misleading to a novice and is not necessary when operating in heat strip mode. Can you post a reference for this procedure?
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Old 12-10-2017, 08:31 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoenig24 View Post
When turning a heat strip off, be SURE to leave the blower on for a couple of minutes to allow the strip to cool down. Otherwise, the high heat WILL trip a safety switch which does NOT have an automatic reset. Years ago, I had to disassemble my AC interior to manually reset said safety switch.
Interesting...I my coach, my blower does just that.....Once I turn it off, it continues to blow for a few minutes, to cool the strips
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Old 12-10-2017, 12:25 PM   #15
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I don't know why or if there was any issue but this is very misleading to a novice and is not necessary when operating in heat strip mode. Can you post a reference for this procedure?
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Originally Posted by chrisbailey13 View Post
Interesting...I my coach, my blower does just that.....Once I turn it off, it continues to blow for a few minutes, to cool the strips

HOW is this misleading? As I explained in my first post here, this actually happened to me several years back. chrisbailey13 posted that his unit does this (continues to blow unheated air) automatically so, maybe the issue has been resolved by manufacturers (added a delay to the blower).

When I experienced this problem back ~ five years ago, research indicated that Federal regs did NOT allow for an auto-resetting safety switch as an OEM part (of course, Big Brother knows what's best for us). I was able to purchase an auto-resetting switch and, had it ready when I opened up the AC in the Casita Travel Trailer I then had. The switch was very easy to swap and, I never had the problem again. I do NOT remember seeing ANY warning re this issue in the AC manual. That's why I posted.
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Old 12-10-2017, 01:06 PM   #16
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(YOURS) When turning a heat strip off, be SURE to leave the blower on for a couple of minutes to allow the strip to cool down. Otherwise, the high heat WILL trip a safety switch which does NOT have an automatic reset. Years ago, I had to disassemble my AC interior to manually reset said safety switch.

(ericNJ's) Wow! Ok.... so how do you do that? Do you set to fan or do you just turn the thermostat down?

It's misleading because the OP is new to this arena and you made your input sound like what he must do every time he uses the heat strip mode; which is incorrect. His Wow! question means he took it as normal procedures; which it isn't. That's all I was pointing out. If you disagree that's fine too.
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Old 12-17-2017, 02:36 PM   #17
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Before I dig into it, do the heat strips come std? I have a 2017 GT 5, I tried to turn on last w/e, during my genset maintenance run, but could feel no difference after almost an hour. I had installed these strips on both my previous PU & TT myself- thought the dealer said they were there, but you know dealers....
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Old 12-17-2017, 02:39 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by HaroldPE View Post
Before I dig into it, do the heat strips come std? I have a 2017 GT 5, I tried to turn on last w/e, during my genset maintenance run, but could feel no difference after almost an hour. I had installed these strips on both my previous PU & TT myself- thought the dealer said they were there, but you know dealers....
If you remove the interior cover and filters you can look up into the opening and see the heat strip if you have it. It will be obvious, if you know what the strip looks like.
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Old 12-17-2017, 05:37 PM   #19
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Yes, thanks- that was the "before I dig into part..."

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChibullsAN View Post
If you remove the interior cover and filters you can look up into the opening and see the heat strip if you have it. It will be obvious, if you know what the strip looks like.
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