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Old 12-04-2016, 04:58 PM   #1
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Electric heat

I posed this question before without much response so I figured I would take another crack at it.
I plan on spending most of my camping time hooked up to power. Thinking of using some hard wired, 110 volt, in wall fan heaters. ( king, markel, etc).
Has anyone done this? where did you place them? I'm thinking up high for safety from propane boom. Any thoughts?

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Old 12-04-2016, 07:59 PM   #2
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Small portable heaters work quite well when you have shore power.
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Old 12-04-2016, 08:14 PM   #3
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Small portable heaters work quite well when you have shore power.
I am currently heating with portable electric heaters. Our favorites are the oil filled ones that look like an old radiator.

We are seeing 30's & 40's.


I would recommend any heat source be kept as low as practical. If you mount it higher then in cold weather you will wind up warm at the ceiling and cold at the floor.
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Old 12-05-2016, 06:38 AM   #4
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i had 3 electric heaters in my bus with half the bus blocked off and almost froze to death, my dogs are still pissed off. good luck
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Old 12-05-2016, 07:17 AM   #5
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You mention propane so why not a propane furnace?
You might find one from a travel trailer for cheap.

Anyways, install heater low.

Get yourself a propane gas detector and put it down low near propane source.

On electric heaters...........keep in mind they can't be more than 1500 watts when plugged into 120 volt outlet.
So when shopping, that $20 milk house heater is going to put out the same heat as the fancy and cool looking $300 heater.

Your not going to find a plug in electric heater that is rated for more than 1500 watts unless it is 240v.
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Old 12-05-2016, 08:03 AM   #6
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Heat

The bus already has propane heat that works well. I'm exploring electric heat to see if I can save propane. While I know I can use portable heaters, I'm talking about hardwired. My concern is safe placement.
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Old 12-05-2016, 10:05 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebird90 View Post
The bus already has propane heat that works well. I'm exploring electric heat to see if I can save propane. While I know I can use portable heaters, I'm talking about hardwired. My concern is safe placement.
Have you looked at "toe kick" heaters? That may be an option that is safe and effective.

The "radiator" style portable are quite safe. It is warm enough that it is uncomfortable to hold your hand on but not hot enough to burn.

Another factor in propane vs. electric: while prices vary, where I am at propane cost over 25% more per therm than electricity.

When we live in a full sized house we disliked running the central (electric) furnace to heat all of the rooms that we were not using. I found that zone heating with portable heaters saved me a significant amount on my electric bill. So, we have been using portable heaters as our primary Winter heat for many years. In that time I have found some heaters that I would not use as they simply got too hot and I was concerned about dog/kids tangling with them. I found that the "ceramic" heaters and the "radiator" style have worked well for me. I am not worried about setting the house or the grand kids on fire. I do still worry sometimes about the grand kids setting the house on fire though..... Kidding..
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Old 12-05-2016, 10:20 AM   #8
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PNS I think your talking about baseboard heaters?
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Old 12-05-2016, 10:40 AM   #9
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PNS I think your talking about baseboard heaters?

I had a 8ft free standing 120v and i liked it very well in a 400 sq ft area.
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Old 12-06-2016, 11:11 PM   #10
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Heat

I'm not talking about baseboard heaters, I mean the small fan forced wall heaters like king pic a watts. I already have dedicated circuits for this. My main concern is if I put them low like their supposed to be I run the risk of causing a propane explosion.
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Old 12-07-2016, 07:57 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebird90 View Post
I'm not talking about baseboard heaters, I mean the small fan forced wall heaters like king pic a watts. I already have dedicated circuits for this. My main concern is if I put them low like their supposed to be I run the risk of causing a propane explosion.

I think you have two choices...........
Mount the heaters up high and use fans or direct the hot air down via the heater vanes if so equipped.

Or spend the money for explosion proof heaters.
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