Furnace or Heater

[RichS]

Hi all,

I was wondering if more people use the furnace or a small electric heater. I have a 30 amp system in a 28 foot Class C. If electric heaters are being used does anyone have any suggestions on a safe unit. I camp in Florida on the weekends during the winter. I am always hooked up to power.

I appreciate any suggestions

Thanks

Rich

[The Gritz Carlton]

Furnaces use lots of propane. When camping with hookups, you already are paying for power so use portable space heaters. If you are running a generator, use portable space heaters. I only use the furnace when boondocking of if I just want to warm the coach up real quick on a cool morning...before the sun warms things up. Any portable will work but make sure it's UL Approved. A small electric fan will help keep the heat evenly distributed and allows you to heat just a small portion of the coach when it's not totally freezing outside. There are 3 types of portables...ceramic, infrared and fan forced. I prefer the fan forced.

[Bob Denman]

I agree: save the propane for cooking!
But keep an eye on the amount of power that you're using at one time...

[bigben]

Our new Tiffin owner is spot on. Rarely use our furnace, save it for when it is so cold out that we need to heat our basement.

[RichS]

Does anybody have any specific models or manufactures that they prefer. Also looking for as many safety features as possible. Looking for electric.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by bigben

Our new Tiffin owner is spot on. Rarely use our furnace, save it for when it is so cold out that we need to heat our basement.

Even a Blind Hog; will find the occasional acorn...

One other thing: If you've got an A/C unit with a heat-pump...

[Miramar Owner]

Originally Posted by RichS

Does anybody have any specific models or manufactures that they prefer. Also looking for as many safety features as possible. Looking for electric.

There are sooo many out there and all are good with safety features so just pick the one you like best. The only suggestion I have is get one that has a fan... Does better at heating a box like an RV and if you have kids get one low to the ground. The higher models tip easily and although they have safety features the shut them off when tipped the unit can be damaged.

They all are 1500 watt heaters and doesn't really matter how efficient it is since you are hooked to shore power.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I just bought 2 of these Pelonis models for $15 each at Lowe's. Used them on my trip to Indiana last week where temps got to 22 degrees at night. The blades are metal. They kept coach nice and cozy. While they are not UL Listed, they are ETL Listed. The only difference is UL writes the standards...ETL builds to UL specifications.



https://www.lowes.com/pd/PELONIS-150...ter/1000378947

[bigben]

Rich - we use a small model we purchased at Walmart. Our Challenger is a bit longer and has 50 amp service, so if it is really cold (not subfreezing) we will use 1 in the front and one in the rear. The ones we bought have a thermostat, fan speed and tip over cutoff. As memory serves (we are not in our RV - waiting for Christmas/New Years), the little heaters are 1500 watts. I gave one to our son in his 29' travel trailer. He looked at me like I was being funny and said he thought he could use it to supplement his furnace. After his first night of cold (he is in South Carolina), he has come to believe he'll use the furnace to supplement his heater. Maybe the old guy does know what he is doing - too funny.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I will add...the "sea breeze" coming in under the slide as the wind howled at 15-20 required towels packed around the base of the dinette. It was the only area I had the issue. If it were going to be any colder than that or freezing rain/sleet or snow...bring the slides in at night.

[RichS]

Hey Gritz

Just took a look at the Pelonis on the Lowes web. Looks very interesting. I may try it.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I did try it (them) and can't believe it works so well for so cheap. Excellent value and two of them warmed up a large coach in no time. Actually had to turn them down to low after a couple hours. The reviews are great!! They are small enough you could use them on low in a basement next to holding tanks.

[Muggs]

X2 with the Pelonis heaters. A single one keep main furnace off most of time in NC recently. If they tip, they shut off.

[Bob Denman]

Do they have a couple of versions of the 1500 watt heater? I keep running across one from them at Home Depot for about $12.00.

[The Gritz Carlton]

The one in the link above is the best bang for the buck. I bought another Pelonis a little bigger that oscillates for $29. Took it back and got a second just like the link above. Now that link seems broken on Lowe's site but it's the Model NF15-16B. I like that it also has a "fan only" setting for helping circulate the A/C in summer.


Pelonis link:

https://pelonis.com/product/nf15-16b/

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1545227397

[saddlesore]

Thankfully Have the Aqua-Hot (2 stage diesel / electric system) for heat & hot water.. just turn both on, runs on electric until enough demand fires off the diesel burner to maintain..

[The Gritz Carlton]

WOW...sounds like a great system. Fixing to buy another boat (Cutwater 242 Coupe) that has a diesel furnace/heater in it. Never used one before but peeps say they work great.

[Bob Denman]

Boats sound as if they're even more like potato chips: than are the potato chips!

It's impossible to stop after the first one!

[The Gritz Carlton]

AND...just like motorcycles...NEVER sell your current one until you have already purchased the new one. It's in the Bible somewhere I'm sure!