Space heater use in my rv??

[Eaglechief_13]

We are heading to family for Turkey Day. We are taking our camper to sleep in. Temps will be between 30 and 55. We purchased a space heater, 1500 watt, to help off set furnace/gas use. Just need to take the chill off.

I read some forums that said not to use a space heater as it will damage the electrical converter, others say they use them all the time.

Bottom line, can I use a space heater in my camper? Will running it for long periods cause problems to the electrical system. Again, just looking to save a little on LP.

Thanks

[kayco53]

Can't see any problem. Just wired one in. The plug from outside hooks into main breaker feeds a buss bar like your house panel and the plug circuit connects to breaker. Just like the house pretty much.

[wags999]

[QUOTE=Eaglechief_13;586911]We are heading to family for Turkey Day. We are taking our camper to sleep in. Temps will be between 30 and 55. We purchased a space heater, 1500 watt, to help off set furnace/gas use. Just need to take the chill off.

I read some forums that said not to use a space heater as it will damage the electrical converter, others say they use them all the time.

Bottom line, can I use a space heater in my camper? Will running it for long periods cause problems to the electrical system. Again, just looking to save a little on LP.

Thanks[/QUOTE

This has nothing to do with your converter...it runs off 120 power same as at home... just don't place it too close to the plastic trim. Enjoy.

[oldmanAZ]

We used one without a problem this spring in similar temps.

[RoyBraddy]

I really like to use one that has no open flame or hot visible heat core like the oil-filled heaters do. Our local WALMART running them on special right now for around $30... Looks similar to this one.


I always run mine no higher than a 3 setting and on low power setting. Running them full power may get the cords hot... If using an extension cord be sure to keep an eye at the connection points to make sure they are not over-heating...

For my POPUP trailer I use one of these low profile oil filled heaters. These are great... This is only 14-inches high... I ordered this from AMAZON


Also having one of these 10-inch O 2 COOL portable fans are great to sit behind the low profile oil filled heater to blow some air around the room... (WALMART)

This operates from 120VAC using a xfmr - 12VDC using a cable or has D-CELLS Batteries inside the case - Must have fan for trailers... Always using mine...


I hear alot of users like the CERAMIC TYPE which gives off heat more quickly. I however don't like them for the red hot visible core around kids or pets...

To hookup your trailer at your visiting home you will need to get a RV30A-15A long dogbone type adapter. They are available from WALMART in the camping supplies section. If you have to use an extension cord coming from the house/garage be sure it is at least a 12-ga (I use a 10-gauge 50-foot one) and works best plugged into the garage receptacle where there is nothing else on the 120VAC circuit. My garage has a 20AMP 120VAC Circuit where a Air Compressor was once used...



This is what we do at any rate... I'm sure others on here will have different ideas...

We have camped many of times in a friends driveway or back yard in our POPUP trailer.

Roy Ken

[33 RLDS]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We have this one in the bedroom. I mounted it to the wall. Unlike most oil filled , it makes no noise as it heating.

We have the electric fireplace in the living room.

[norty1]

We have two that we use all the time. We generally run them on the low option which is 750W instead of 1500. You have to manage your current usage. Even in a rig like ours with 50a service We can easily trip a inside breaker that feeds outlets if you have the heater running and turn on a coffee pot or hair dryer.

Power management is a good thing to be aware of. If the breaker pops you are loading it to much. It's good to know what outlets are feed by which breaker in the ac panel and you can use them accordingly. More so with 30a than with 50a.

[Jagiven]

We have been using a space heater since our unit was new. I has not been an issue. My parents has had one in their campers since the 70's (PU with no heat). They have never had an issue.

Only thing you need to watch is your overall amp draw. Make sure to turn it off if you are going to use the microwave, hairdryer, or any other high amp item. If you do not, you will most likely trip the main circuit breaker in the home/campground.

[RogerR]

We are on our 6th camper over 45 years and have always used space heaters when on AC.

Just bought one recently that has digital temp. control and love it. Really worth the extra money as the old ones had to wide an on off cycle and let the camper cool off to much, then ran till it was stuffy.

If yours has a low setting try that. It will run longer and keep temp more constant.

I keep my gas furnace on a lower setting in case it gets to cool inside for the electric to keep up.

Enjoy your camping Holiday!

[glamisbound]

I too, have used them in various coaches over the years without issue.

[us71na]

Unless you are running your space heater off the converter using batteries, it shouldn't be a problem. We've run a 120 volt 1500 watt heater several times in our travel trailer with no issues all night several times. It only draws 12.5 amps. We keep it in the trailer just in case the heat pump doesn't work.

to run a 1500 watt heater on a 12 Volt DC System using an inverter.

Formula: 12 volt inverters require approximately one (1) amp of DC input for each 10 watts of AC output.
Example: How many DC amps will a Vanner 12 volt inverter require to operate three 500 watt quartz lights, or a 1500 watt electric heater?
Answer: 1) Total watts = 1500
2) 1500 watts/10 (from formula) = 150 amps

This is the DC current the inverter will use to operate the 1500 watt load.

Note – if this 150 amps is drawn from the battery for one hour, 150 amp hours (AH) of battery power will be used. To support 150 amp hours of battery power, 300 amp hours of battery capacity is required.

[stevenl]

I have carried the same electric space heater with me for 30 years. Still works perfectly. 750 Watts, 1500 Watts and fan only. Use it to maintain a comfortable temp., if it can’t then the TT furnace will kick on.

Happy Travels

[bdreinv]

If we are plugged in have always used a space heater. If no electric good ole Buddy heater, and furnace as a last resort!

[RedHorse1]

We used one in our HTT and have 2 in the 5th. I use the furnace as “backup” by setting thermostat lower than the space heaters. Works great for us. IMHO as long as the day-time temps get into the 50’s you won’t have freezing probs with night temps in the high 20’s.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by bdreinv

If we are plugged in have always used a space heater. If no electric good ole Buddy heater, and furnace as a last resort!

Same here ^

[kneeslider]

works & doesn't use up propane

[koko]

We've used a ceramic heater in all of our campers. Has auto thermostat, has an emergency turn-off if it tips over, small, very quiet, very safe. Also, ours and most I've seen tell you never to use an extension cord. We always turn it off when we're away from the campground. We only use our propane heat when there's no electricity. When there is electricity but it's cold outside, we turn our propane thermostat down to 62 when we're away so that we still have a heat source to keep the chill off. Ceramic heaters are very cheap - about $20.

[MontyRV]

I have one like this that I was planning on using. I will set the house thermostat around 55 or so, just to keep the basement compartments from freezing. I think between this and the electric fireplace in the living room, we should be fine.

Also, I have thought about installing one outlet that would run to the basement, that I could plug into one of the other 120v receptacles at the campground box, that way it wouldn't be running off of the existing wiring in the camper.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...walnut-cabinet

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by MontyRV

Also, I have thought about installing one outlet that would run to the basement, that I could plug into one of the other 120v receptacles at the campground box, that way it wouldn't be running off of the existing wiring in the camper.

I did this about 2 years ago. Now I can run one 1500w space heater off the campers electrical system and another one off the box. Used a Marinco 20 amp plug, 14 ga Romex and a 20 amp rated wall socket and plug it in with a heavy duty 20amp rated extension cord to the box. Did my detachable cord mod while I was in there.

[MontyRV]

I like it!!