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Old 01-20-2018, 09:36 AM   #21
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Originally Posted by Flyguy66 View Post
Hmmm. I tried electric heat unit last night and it only blew cold air.
Dealer seemed to indicate that the heat strip unit is only good for nights over 55.
Is that not right?
the heat strip WILL NOT come on ABOVE 55 degrees. Use your furnace for heat. The strip is not big enough to get much heat out of it.

Your A/C is called a Heat Pump. It is used to cool and Heat. In heat mode, it is blowing the hot air into your unit. In cool mode, it blows cold air into your unit. Compressor runs in both modes. there is a reversing valve involved. In Heat mode, if the outside air gets below 32 degrees (or where ever the set point is for your unit). The compressor will shut off because there is no difference in the transfer of heat. At that time the heat strip will turn on and the fan only will run. No compressor. The furnace will make much more heat then the heat strip. Some units turn the furnace on when needed some don't. Does your t-stat say HeartStrip anywhere on it?

Remember, your dealer is a salesman. Just like the guys at a car lot. They will tell you whatever it takes to make a sale. I doubt your salesman even knows how a heat pump works just as you don't. All this goes out the window if you have a straight cool with a heat stip. Like somebody just said. Trying to use a blowdryer for heat.
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Old 01-20-2018, 10:03 AM   #22
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grab a beer and read this

How Heat Pumps Works in a Motorhome
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Old 01-20-2018, 10:17 AM   #23
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As soon as one is empty, switch over and refill the empty. You will never run out. Some campgrounds have bulk propane. BJ's wholesale has it and will sell to non-members. There is no exchange for 30# tanks. Always keep one tank turned off.
If you have an auto-switchover regulator on your propane tanks (usually has a plastic arrow/lever you can flip and a red/green indicator window) it will drain one tank (the one the arrow points to) then automatically switch to the second tank.

To use this system, fill both tanks and leave BOTH valves open. When the primary tank (the one selected with the little arrow/lever) goes empty the red indicator will appear in the little window, and the trailer will start drawing from the second tank. Switch the arrow lever to the other tank, shut the empty tank's valve, and remove it to refill. Refill it, put the now-full tank back and open it's valve. The one you just refilled is now the secondary tank.

Repeat the process when the other tank goes dry. You'll never be without propane as long a you keep an eye on the little red/green indicator and follow these steps.
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Old 01-20-2018, 10:25 AM   #24
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Originally Posted by cavie View Post
the heat strip WILL NOT come on ABOVE 55 degrees. Use your furnace for heat. The strip is not big enough to get much heat out of it.

Your A/C is called a Heat Pump. It is used to cool and Heat. In heat mode, it is blowing the hot air into your unit. In cool mode, it blows cold air into your unit. Compressor runs in both modes. there is a reversing valve involved. In Heat mode, if the outside air gets below 32 degrees (or where ever the set point is for your unit). The compressor will shut off because there is no difference in the transfer of heat. At that time the heat strip will turn on and the fan only will run. No compressor. The furnace will make much more heat then the heat strip. Some units turn the furnace on when needed some don't. Does your t-stat say HeartStrip anywhere on it?

Remember, your dealer is a salesman. Just like the guys at a car lot. They will tell you whatever it takes to make a sale. I doubt your salesman even knows how a heat pump works just as you don't. All this goes out the window if you have a straight cool with a heat stip. Like somebody just said. Trying to use a blowdryer for heat.


It does not say heat strip
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Old 01-20-2018, 10:40 AM   #25
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You folks are a huge help. Thanks so much
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Old 01-20-2018, 10:45 AM   #26
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After you get your tanks filled, be sure to turn one on after reinstalling them. Next, go to the stove and turn on a burner to get the air out of the line. It may take several tries and a "minute to so" to clear out all the air. Once the air is out of the line the stove will light. Now turn on the furnace and it should light right up.
Also: Be aware that your propane tanks have a high flow shutoff valve in them. If they see high flow, the valve shuts and stops flow. So when you open them into a depressurized gas line, you have to crack them open VERY SLOWLY until they re-pressurize the line; then you can open them fully.
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Old 01-20-2018, 10:52 AM   #27
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
Also: Be aware that your propane tanks have a high flow shutoff valve in them. If they see high flow, the valve shuts and stops flow. So when you open them into a depressurized gas line, you have to crack them open VERY SLOWLY until they re-pressurize the line; then you can open them fully.


Awesome. Thank you
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Old 01-20-2018, 01:15 PM   #28
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Heat Strip in BD RM AC Unit

I have a 2015 Rockwood Signature Ultralight and my bedroom ac has a heat strip in it. I have two thermostats. One if for the living room, dining room, and kitchen area ant the other is for the bedroom. I use the bedroom thermostat and put it on heat. It takes a few minutes for it to heat up but it does. On my RV it only heats the bathroom and bedroom but barely.
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Old 01-20-2018, 01:15 PM   #29
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Or you can do like a lot of us do and get one or two electric heaters. $39 at Walmart.
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Old 01-20-2018, 09:05 PM   #30
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Now ur talking - use the electricity you are paying for at the RV parks and save your propane.

Those full (and empty) 30# propane tanks are heavy, I took them out and only use two 20# when traveling - much easier to remove, refill and reinstall.
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Old 01-20-2018, 09:19 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by Chuckinca View Post
Now ur talking - use the electricity you are paying for at the RV parks and save your propane.

Those full (and empty) 30# propane tanks are heavy, I took them out and only use two 20# when traveling - much easier to remove, refill and reinstall.
I should point out one fact. If you are using electric space heaters and it gets significantly below freezing your "heated underbelly" won't be heated anymore. The hot air ducting from the internal propane heater is run throughout the camper so that it keeps the pipes from freezing. So space heaters good until it gets to freezing outside then you need to use the propane heater.
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Old 01-23-2018, 06:35 PM   #32
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grab a beer and read this

How Heat Pumps Works in a Motorhome
Very educational!
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