Roof Air with heat strip

garmp

352
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 3/20
Model: 2351
ModelYear: 2020 2351D
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Greystone
ExtColor: Jack Doub Grey/Greystone
Location: St. Louis, MO

Roof Air with heat strip

« on: November 12, 2016, 05:48:26 pm »

OK. Getting ready to order our first PC and on the price list the Premium Convenience Package contains "Roof Air with heat strip". What's that? Roof Air, OK, I understand. But a heat strip? I want Air not heat. Is that a sealant? Would like to know what I'm buying and paying extra for.

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jatrax

827
John and Carrie
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: November 2016
Model: 2552
ModelYear: 2017
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Graystone
ExtColor: Graystone
Location: Oregon Mountains

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2016, 07:43:33 pm »

"heat strip" is a resistance heater included with the A/C unit to provide auxiliary heating when you need it. As understand it you can get an A/C unit with heat strip, A/C without heat strip or a heat pump. You should check with the factory for the exact options though.

The idea being that with either the heat strips or the heat pump you have a 100% electric heat source without using your LP up. Once it gets really cold you will need the LP furnace no matter what.

I ordered the 15k BTU Heat pump model because it will supply heat in moderate climates, a little more A/C than the standard unit and it is rumored to be a little quieter. YMMV.

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randallandchris

127
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2015
Model: 2400 Ford
ModelYear: 2015
Slide: No
Location: Fort Myers, FL

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2016, 09:36:42 am »

Quote from: jatrax on November 12, 2016, 07:43:33 pm

I ordered the 15k BTU Heat pump model because it will supply heat in moderate climates, a little more A/C than the standard unit and it is rumored to be a little quieter. YMMV.

Hope your A/C is quieter than our Dometic 15k with heat pump. We need to turn up TV to 100% volume to hear any dialog and it wakes us up, but it is just above our beds. Still PC could install a quieter roof unit from another brand but they appear to use Dometic/Atwood exclusively, or they could build a more substantial roof with a ducted A/C.

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donc13

1358
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 03/2015
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2015
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
ExtColor: White/Nightscape
Location: Colorado

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2016, 03:48:35 pm »

Quote from: randallandchris on November 13, 2016, 09:36:42 am

Quote from: jatrax on November 12, 2016, 07:43:33 pm

I ordered the 15k BTU Heat pump model because it will supply heat in moderate climates, a little more A/C than the standard unit and it is rumored to be a little quieter. YMMV.

Hope your A/C is quieter than our Dometic 15k with heat pump. We need to turn up TV to 100% volume to hear any dialog and it wakes us up, but it is just above our beds. Still PC could install a quieter roof unit from another brand but they appear to use Dometic/Atwood exclusively, or they could build a more substantial roof with a ducted A/C.

We've had both ducted and central A/C units.. BOTH are loud. Ducting requires a thicker ceiling, thus about 5" or more additional exterior height or 4" less interior headroom.

The standard low exterior height (with A/C installed) is a huge plus for the Phoenix Cruiser.

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Don and Patti

Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2007
Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2016, 08:07:28 pm »

Quote from: garmp on November 12, 2016, 05:48:26 pm

OK. Getting ready to order our first PC and on the price list the Premium Convenience Package contains "Roof Air with heat strip". What's that? Roof Air, OK, I understand. But a heat strip? I want Air not heat. Is that a sealant? Would like to know what I'm buying and paying extra for.

Hi garmp,

Put in simple terms, the heat strip is a 1500 watt electric heater built into the roof top air conditioning unit. You can use the a/c unit for air conditioning or for heat which is enough to take the chill out of the interior on a cool night.

Assuming thermostats installed today are unchanged, ours shown here illustrates how to select your heating and cooling choices.

Our experience is that when we want to take full advantage of an electric campsite for heat (not our propane furnace) we use a 1500 watt small cube heater. Sitting on the floor with a gentile fan, it produces heat down near the floor and directed where it is needed most. The heat generated up high from the heat strip tends to linger near the ceiling, never heating the cold down near the floor. Running the roof unit is also quite noisy. Still it is nice to use both electric heaters together for more heat when desired.

Ron

« Last Edit: November 13, 2016, 08:12:22 pm by ron.dittmer »

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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

Gail Staton

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2016, 11:06:01 am »

Gary,

Happy to hear you are nearer to placing your order.

We have a 2013 2100 with the AC with heat strips. Living in FL, and not planning anymore cold weather trips, it is probably all we will ever use. We can always use the furnace should things change.

This past weekend we attended a rally just north of Tampa. The overnight temperature did get in the high 50s. Before going to bed, we set the thermostat to heat with the fan set to run constantly at low speed. Even the fan set on low it is still not quiet but for us it is better than having the heat cycling on and off all night. The fan running does drown out any outside noise, too.

Gail

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donc13

1358
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 03/2015
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2015
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
ExtColor: White/Nightscape
Location: Colorado

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2016, 12:13:53 pm »

Quote from: ron.dittmer on November 13, 2016, 08:07:28 pm

Quote from: garmp on November 12, 2016, 05:48:26 pm
OK. Getting ready to order our first PC and on the price list the Premium Convenience Package contains "Roof Air with heat strip". What's that? Roof Air, OK, I understand. But a heat strip? I want Air not heat. Is that a sealant? Would like to know what I'm buying and paying extra for.
Hi garmp,

Put in simple terms, the heat strip is a 1500 watt electric heater built into the roof top air conditioning unit. You can use the a/c unit for air conditioning or for heat which is enough to take the chill out of the interior on a cool night.

Assuming thermostats installed today are unchanged, ours shown here illustrates how to select your heating and cooling choices.

Our experience is that when we want to take full advantage of an electric campsite for heat (not our propane furnace) we use a 1500 watt small cube heater. Sitting on the floor with a gentile fan, it produces heat down near the floor and directed where it is needed most. The heat generated up high from the heat strip tends to linger near the ceiling, never heating the cold down near the floor. Running the roof unit is also quite noisy. Still it is nice to use both electric heaters together for more heat when desired.

Ron

The new thermostat is an LCD unit that has all the same functionality.. but isn't quite as intuitive in its operation, but once you learn its quirks, works very well.

Obviously heat rises, so when we use the heat strip, I have the A/C vents set to blow down and open the quick cool panel partway which also directs the air down. It all works well down to about 40-45 degrees. Beyond that, we use the furnace.

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Don and Patti

Gail Staton

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2016, 01:28:56 pm »

Gary,

I forgot to mention we also have a ceramic heater that we've used previously. Very nice to aim it toward the bathroom when showering.

Our thermostat is different that the one pictured in the previous post. It is digital and easy to set.

Gail

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HenryJ

205
All ready for the road
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: April 16 del Jul 24,16
Model: 2910
ModelYear: 2016 / 2910T
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Hickory (light)
ExtColor: graystone
Location: Florida near Tampa

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2016, 06:43:24 pm »

We picked up our April ordered unit the end of July. We have 2 air conditioners an both have heat strips our unit is 50 Amp which was how it had to be with the 2 ac units. We did use the bedroom heat and we're pleased to have it. These units will never be quiet... If you want quiet you have to have basement air and heat which we had in the past and we're pleased. Has taken some adjustment to get youst to the noisy roof units. So you may want heat strips if you plan on being out and about in cooler weather.

Our first test went well. The odd thing is the very different thermostats we have for front unit and rear unit. The back thermostat could operate several units but is not hooked up to anything else.

Learning yet.
Regards
Patricia

« Last Edit: November 16, 2016, 07:28:53 pm by HenryJ »

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Patricia
A new day has dawned now only traveling with Miss Elle . Jim will be watching over us.

Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2007
Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Roof Air with heat strip

« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2016, 07:32:12 pm »

Quote from: Gail Staton on November 15, 2016, 01:28:56 pm

..... we also have a ceramic heater that we've used previously. Very nice to aim it toward the bathroom when showering.

Us too when showering on a cold evening. My most favorite place for the cube heater is on the floor placed right where the step up from the cab to the house is, facing rearward. The front cab area is the biggest source of cold air infiltration so placing the heater there warms it up on it's way into the house.

We had a standard heating coil cube heater for years, just recently bought a little ceramic one from Walmart for $15. Regardless of the type, a little floor heater does wonders on cool evenings. But nothing beats the furnace for performance. When getting home late and it's cold inside, we will sometimes do a quick warm-up with the furnace and maintain it with the quiet cube heater.

« Last Edit: November 16, 2016, 12:49:12 am by ron.dittmer »

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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer