electric heat ??

[Nightstar57]

Hi all.. i am new to the r/v scene and bought a thor 29g a short time ago..all was good when it was hot outdoors using the a/c in the coach..now though here in Ct. it is dropping to close to freezing at night..reading about how much propane the furnace eats i want to get a portable electric heater..my rig has a 30amp hookup and it seems many heaters are around 1500 watts..is this ok without running other appliances?? Wondering what you other folks use instead of the furnace ??
Thanks, Mike M.

[16ACE27]

We've always used 1500 Watt electric heaters in our 30 Amp RVs. May be a problem running the heater, microwave and coffee maker at the same time but otherwise you should be good to go.

[bry899]

we are plugged into a 20 Amp outlet and are currently using a 1500 watt electric heater and the electric option on our hot water heater. When we use the micro, toaster, coffee pot, or toaster oven we shut one off.
The 20 amp circuit breaker in the house trips when we add a 3rd item.
A 30 amp line might possibly handle the 3rd appliance.

[Dippytwo]

We also have 30 amp and have 2 electric heaters. One has a fan to move the hot air around and the second is a radiator style for when it's to cold for just one heater. So far I haven't had any problems. This year I am going to also add a small fan that will be pointed at the ceiling to move the hot air around that it trapped up there. I look more at how many amps the heaters use and not just their watts (I may be wrong about that).

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Dippytwo

We also have 30 amp and have 2 electric heaters. One has a fan to move the hot air around and the second is a radiator style for when it's to cold for just one heater. So far I haven't had any problems. This year I am going to also add a small fan that will be pointed at the ceiling to move the hot air around that it trapped up there. I look more at how many amps the heaters use and not just their watts (I may be wrong about that).

Amps = Watts/Volts
Amps = 1500/120
Amps = 12.5

In a purely resistive AC system or DC system. No need to complicate this with Power Factor.

[JamieGeek]

In addition, you can install something like this guy (Amazon) and know how much current (or watts if you multiply them together) you're using at any given time.

[lug]

I went with two 900/450 watt Vornado heaters. It's 7.5 amps high and 3.75 amps on low. They have tip over, blocked intake and overheat protection.

[WarEagleDan]

Try the EdenPure Superbuddy. It puts out a lot of heat even on the low setting.

https://www.amazon.com/Edenpure-GEN3...ct_top?ie=UTF8

[TurnerFam]

we use several, but each is used on the LOW setting, since that provides usually enough overall heat to keep things warm enough to keep the chill off, but also leaves enough room to continue power to other things like TVs, receivers, computers, etc.

even those of us with 50amp coaches have similar issues, though we just have more room in the power supply IF we are plugged into a 50amp shore power connection. When we are at a 30amp RV park or campground, we have the same issues with power management as you do.... 30amp max is 30amp max, no matter the size of the RV.

We use our propane furnace for those times when, at least during the morning, you REALLY need that additional heat, but most of the time electric heat serves the purpose.

[TxTig]

Our Challenger came with a built-in electric fireplace. We initially thought it was kind of cheesy, but it’s actually quite nice for warming up the coach and minimizing our propane usage. I’m glad we have it now!

[Lt Keefer]

We also use electric space heaters. We prefer the ceramic type. WalMart always has them marked down in the spring.

[Bob Denman]

Question: If you're upgrading your A/C unit; is it helpful to get one that includes a heat pump?

(It seems that it might reduce propane usage a bit...)

[f troop 8th cav]

We have used a Varnado 1500 watt for years and it works well. We also have a small ceramic in the bedroom but seldom use it. We set the AC on fan only to circulate the air. I wonder if it would circulate on the furnace setting to use the floor vents with the temp set so the furnace does not come on.

[rudyhehn]

We routinely use a ceramic heater if we are plugged in. We've had no issues with 50 amps. At 30 amps we are careful to not use the heater, coffeemaker and microwave at the same time. We also turn off the hot water heater or use propane. At 20 amps we run only the heater.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by f troop 8th cav

I wonder if it would circulate on the furnace setting to use the floor vents with the temp set so the furnace does not come on.

No, that fan switch is only for the AC.

[rudyhehn]

Althiugh the blower fan on the small ceramic heater is 5iny, for us a single heater does great in either the bedroom or the living area. No problems with temp distribution

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Question: If you're upgrading your A/C unit; is it helpful to get one that includes a heat pump?

(It seems that it might reduce propane usage a bit...)

Our heat pumps do very well down to around 30 then diesel or electric dependent on whether we are on a meter

[Calman]

I have found having a timer for the electric heater will save battery life if boondocking. Set it to cut off about 15 minutes after you go to bed and again for about 30 minutes before you normally get up. Works great in tandem with an electric blanket!

Can be either a plug-in timer or an electric heater with a built-in timer.

[gnach]

Originally Posted by Calman

I have found having a timer for the electric heater will save battery life if boondocking. Set it to cut off about 15 minutes after you go to bed and again for about 30 minutes before you normally get up. Works great in tandem with an electric blanket!

Can be either a plug-in timer or an electric heater with a built-in timer.

Does anyone know why electric blankets are not to be used on generator power? I read that warning on a box.

Re: 30 amp pedestals. There usually is a 20 amp GFCI receptacle also. Running a separate circuit with an outside is not terribly difficult. It's been covered on threads about installing a second AC.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

Our heat pumps do very well down to around 30 then diesel or electric dependent on whether we are on a meter

Thanks!