Which is the best electric heater for less than $50?

[Diesel Dan]

I'm looking for an inexpensive space heater for the bus. Right now I've got two like this: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1 ... ogId=10053, but I have to run them on the low setting or they cut out. They are really not doing the job.

So which heaters work well? How about the oil-filled heaters? Or the radiant heaters? Or just plain old utility heater with heating elements and a fan?

Here are some of the options I'm considering:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1 ... ogId=10053

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1 ... ogId=10053

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1 ... ogId=10053

Anyone have experience with any of these types of heaters?

I want to get something next week because we will be spending the night in the bus on Thanksgiving, and will have access to electric.

Thanks!

[madpsalmer]

I am with Smitty the oil filled space heater have many benefits, quite, even heat you cant beat them.

[Diesel Dan]

Thanks guys, I guess I have my answer! God, I love the internet!

Kid's today don't realize how good they have it. We were in the information dark ages when we were kids.

[lornaschinske]

We have a Patton Milkhouse type. It's 1500W (two fan speed) and heats well. I have got to dig it out of the shed because we are using Staceys similar unit (lakewood brand) but it doesn't heat as well as the Patton. Looks similar, similar ratings but just doesn't heat as well as the heavy duty Patton we have. When we downsized our storage units, I sold off about three of these. Only kept one. We like this brand. When it tips over (even if not completely) it will shut off. Stacey's heater will not. I believe we bought most, if not all, from Wal-Mart. I know the last one (the one we currently have) is from WalMart.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ater+&x=8&y=19

[opus]

I have had 2 of them oil radiators going all day. That surely wont cut it for me, not even close. Bummer...I was thinking they might be a good idea too.

[opus]

Thermo-insulated curtains all around. Nothing done to the ceiling though. I couldnt find a way to do the ceiling. I would rather spend more to heat than fuss with the ceiling. In the future, we might put something up there but not sure what yet. I cant afford to lose any more height though.

[Stuff]

i got two of them oil filled ones going in my rv

[lornaschinske]

Originally Posted by opus

T... Nothing done to the ceiling though... I cant afford to lose any more height though...

Perhaps you should try what George Myers did to his coach when he needed to have more insulation although I would have added a lot more than he did. He added 1 inch... if going to that much trouble, I would have added at least 4 inches.

http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/1...tml?1165275072

[Diesel Dan]

Seems like we have some different opinions on this subject (imagine that!) . I can see how the large size of the oil-filled heaters would be a drawback, especially in my relatively small bus. I may need to set the heater in a cabinet, so I'd also like to have one with a fan that pushes the heat out rather than just a radiator. I may try one of the utility heaters like Lorna mentioned. I really like the small size of the ceramic heaters I have, but they do not function properly since they cut out when on the "high" setting. Has anyone else experienced that type of problem with a heater?

[madpsalmer]

It could be a faulty hi-limit thermal switch in the heater, I have worked a bunch on brewers and hi end vending systems and I have noticed space heater I have played with off the clock have these switches and they are not as reliable as they can be especially when they get a bit older.
Here is a picture of one check the voltage while the unit is on and watch if it kills the power to the element or if the issue is up stream from the problem

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9 ... 8GEVDIYyRV

[edfrank]

Guys,

If you look at the wattage rating of all of the electric heaters that run on house current, they all max out at 1500 watts. That is the limit. They all produce about the same amount of heat it just depends on how well they distribute the heat. The oil filed radiators have oil which stores the heat in their mass, so the heat will be more even over time. One that doesn't have the storage mass will turn on and off and go ht an cold in regular cycles (unless it is producing max heat at all times). So the net amount of heat will be the same, it just will vary more. The small ceramic heaters are the most efficient and small. The oil filled ones have the most even heat and are bigger. The other thing to consider how well the fan in them works. A better fan means the heat will be better distributed over a larger area. look for one with a fan that will broadly distribute the heat.

Ed Frank

[Lady Chicory]

The oil radiator type heat the area close to them but the warmth doesn't reach very far. The heat also travels upward too so your feet will be cold while your head is warm. The ceramic fan type are cheap to run and circulate the heat nicely.