Portable heater questions

[racefan]

Freedom Elite 24FE. Im looking at a portable heater for winter storage. One that’s 1500w/750w with tip over & overheat protection. It will be plugged into a gfci in the coach. I’ve heard do not leave them plugged in unattended & others have said they leave them plugged in on low. I want to use it when it dips below freezing. It’s parked under my carport & shore power hooked up to a 120v 20 amp outlet (dog bone/Progressive Ind. surge protector) Is this safe to do?

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by racefan

Freedom Elite 24FE. Im looking at a portable heater for winter storage. One that’s 1500w/750w with tip over & overheat protection. It will be plugged into a gfci in the coach. I’ve heard do not leave them plugged in unattended & others have said they leave them plugged in on low. I want to use it when it dips below freezing. It’s parked under my carport & shore power hooked up to a 120v 20 amp outlet (dog bone/Progressive Ind. surge protector) Is this safe to do?

I would NEVER leave a portable electric heater unattended. Question... if in "storage", why are you using a heater anyway? Unless you don't want to drain water and winterize? But unless you have some foolproof way of keeping ALL the tanks and plumbing above freezing, that's a huge risk for not much benefit.

If you DON'T have a severe freeze risk, simply drain everything and blow out the water lines with compressed air. Probably not necessary to use pink antifreeze if you want to keep it "ready to go" at a moments notice. But in Ohio, mine's put to bed for several months.

Without water to freeze, there's simply no need for a heater. Actually in cool weather heat in the RV can cause condensation/mold. Bottom line... if you're not using it, drain the water so it won't freeze and forget the heater.

[DavidEM]

I think a portable heater as you describe, set on low and placed with nothing in front of it and maybe with a couple of sheets of aluminum foil under and forward of it to reflect the radiant heat, you will be safe.

David

[ducksface]

10,000,000,000 units made since the invention of electricity.
A percentage in the vacinity of NONE have self-immolated.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...8eHLC0DnchG9RE

[abjbrtd]

We use one and trust breakers and other safety devices

Nothing frove last Feb in 17*

[taylorbob1]

Years ago we would leave two portable 150 watt incandescent lights on in our 26’ docked boat.
The heat helped keep the cabin interior dry from mold.
Many others on our dock did same or used small portable heater.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by racefan

Freedom Elite 24FE. Im looking at a portable heater for winter storage. One that’s 1500w/750w with tip over & overheat protection. It will be plugged into a gfci in the coach. I’ve heard do not leave them plugged in unattended & others have said they leave them plugged in on low. I want to use it when it dips below freezing. It’s parked under my carport & shore power hooked up to a 120v 20 amp outlet (dog bone/Progressive Ind. surge protector) Is this safe to do?

Winterize and check it in the spring

[The Gritz Carlton]

Heaters will be fine...just use the low 750 position. Been using them for years. We actually use them while camping to save propane and the heat stays more even throughout the camper.

[ducksface]

Some of us do not frighten well at all.

[16ACE27]

Been doing this for a couple of decades with RVs in our backyard as well as the greenhouse. We don't need it often and it doesn't run unless it gets below 35 (they do have thermostats) here in north Florida, but it does occasionally get into the teens.

[ducksface]

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

I'm loving this for the greenhouse.
I may one day build one into the heater vents of the 24.1
But
For now its doing just fine without it.
But
If I had a diesel powered rv and didn't have one of these I might feel a bit foolish

[lwmcguir]

Huge benefit of a diesel Aquahot is the low fuel burn compared to LP

Used one of Ducks heaters to warm up the airplane engine in extreme cold

Before all the electric meters in the camp grounds we used a digital electric front and rear plus the fireplace

Now the diesel is cheaper until it hits around 5 bucks per gallon and depending on KW cost also

I use an Excel spread sheet with btu cost per unit and with efficiency calculations to determine the optimal fuel use and switch points for the shop and houses

Energy cost is certainly climbing fast

Wood blocks and cord wood are up 30% or more as is our natural gas and propane

Most electric heater issues are due to long term high usage, poor wiring and a few extension cords

Check the plug temperature after an hour

[Chance]

Originally Posted by racefan

.....cut.... Is this safe to do?

We have been using a 1500/1000 Watt unit for primary heat for many years, including while sleeping, and safety doesn’t concern me. I feel safer with electric than when in an RV with other types of heat. Not saying that they are not all safe, just that electric makes me feel even safer.

Since I’m willing to sleep with one, I would not hesitate using for freeze protection. Having said that, unless the RV was one of the newer designs with all tanks and lines inside heated space, it may provide limited freeze protection. I learned that the hard way overnighting in a Class C with propane heat set fairly high, and it wasn’t terribly cold outside (+/- 20 F as I recall).

[macdaddy1111]

Have 2 Electric Heaters, Use them all the time when cold. I have Velcro on Pizza pans I hook them to, keeps heat off floor and makes little bit more secure.

They propane heater sounds like a jet engine and when in RV parks it wakes up neighbors.

I got rid of the cheap smoke detector in Rig and replaced with couple high dollar ones.

[16ACE27]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPz8y32enHg

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Read the comments. Ask firemen who've been around awhile.

Finally... I used to ride in cars as a kid without seatbelts. Heck, all the way from WV to Florida and back several times. But after living a few years, I'm now the type that won't leave the awning extended while away from the MH.

Just a personal choice... I'm not much of a risk taker, too much living on the edge in my younger years.

[racefan]

Interesting video👍 Ah yes the days of standing next to my dad in his 52 Chevy pick up. When we came up to a stop his right arm went out to be my seat belt😁

[HarryTh]

I use a radiator style during the winter in my coach. It is safe and does a good job on heating my 25' Siesta. I keep it on low heat and adjust the thermo to keep it at 50 degrees.
Harry

[vegas25.5]

Vornado travels with us and comes out when we are hooked up and using power. When supplementing furnace or solo. Great lil heater...

https://www.amazon.com/Vornado-EH1-0...8-9&th=1&psc=1

Storage heat has always been a radiator oil heater like this...

https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Filled-El...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Never an issue with either.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by racefan

Freedom Elite 24FE. Im looking at a portable heater for winter storage. One that’s 1500w/750w with tip over & overheat protection. It will be plugged into a gfci in the coach. I’ve heard do not leave them plugged in unattended & others have said they leave them plugged in on low. I want to use it when it dips below freezing. It’s parked under my carport & shore power hooked up to a 120v 20 amp outlet (dog bone/Progressive Ind. surge protector) Is this safe to do?

I'm still not getting why you're heating your coach while in storage? Lots of replies reference heating the coach WHILE OCCUPIED.

I guess it's not clear to me why you would need heat in a STORED coach? No freezable liquid in it? No people in it (on a regular basis)?

I MUST be missing something here?