What is a "heat strip?"

[Bob86ZZ4]

I keep seeing them mentioned. I even did a search here for it and found several mentions of them. Excuse my ignorance but I don't know what they are. Sometimes they call them "heat tapes" I think too. Seems like maybe they have something to do with the roof air? My old '92 Allegro class A I don't think had them. I don't know if my '03 United Specialties has them. I'll ask the dealer when I pick it up in a week or so.

 

[Bob E]

Some roof AC's can be equipped with a (resistance) heat strip that will sort-of knock the chill off on a cool day. They aren't real effective on a cold day - you would still need some other source of heat.

Another form of heat strip is a 110V flex type, for rapping around pipes to prevent freezing - available at most home improvement stores

 

[geofkaye]

.....heat strip are over rated on A/C's as heat rises and the heat stays close to the ceiling.....I'd suggest a regular electric heater if you would like heat near the floor. Use a smoke candle/burning rope to see what I mean about the heat moving towards the ceiling....keep heat next to the floor and let it rise naturally it will heat much more than you expect....geofkaye

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Ah, okay. Seems like all the rigs have furnaces tho. I guess I don't see why they even have heat strips? My for sale Allegro has a Coleman roof a/c that you can switch to blow out heat. It works pretty good if I'm hooked up to shore power and don't want to run my propane furnace.

 

[Doc Weaver]

I am using a Stanley ceramic heater with a "squirrel cage" fan that I bought for about 50 bucks. Since its a "construction" heater, it doesn't turn off with every bump and the fan blows just hard enough to move air in the living quarters. put it in the middle of the floor and ignore it. two weeks ago I used it in 40 degree weather and actually had to turn it down at one point.

An easy fix for cheap, that's the way I try to do it.

Doc Weaver