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12-06-2021, 07:39 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 24FE
State: Washington
Posts: 125
THOR #23201
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Portable heater questions
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?
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12-06-2021, 08:11 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,149
THOR #16721
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Quote:
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?
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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.
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12-06-2021, 08:28 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,790
THOR #20289
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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
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12-06-2021, 08:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,887
THOR #13932
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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
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12-06-2021, 08:41 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Citation
State: Texas
Posts: 920
THOR #8139
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We use one and trust breakers and other safety devices
Nothing frove last Feb in 17*
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12-06-2021, 10:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: '17-Vegas 24.1
State: California
Posts: 2,227
THOR #13362
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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.
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'17 Vegas 24.1
Fallbrook, CA
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12-06-2021, 10:22 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Ace 33.1
State: Illinois
Posts: 1,266
THOR #20274
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Quote:
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?
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Winterize and check it in the spring
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12-06-2021, 10:27 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
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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.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
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12-06-2021, 10:37 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,887
THOR #13932
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Some of us do not frighten well at all.
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12-06-2021, 10:47 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,325
THOR #7035
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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.
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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12-06-2021, 10:58 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,887
THOR #13932
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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
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12-07-2021, 01:29 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tuscany 42GX
State: Missouri
Posts: 1,158
THOR #9178
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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
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12-07-2021, 02:24 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by racefan
.....cut.... Is this safe to do?
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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).
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12-07-2021, 03:34 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35m
State: North Carolina
Posts: 933
THOR #13505
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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.
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Retired Squid who has a Retired Squid that drives him around in a RV!
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12-08-2021, 12:34 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,325
THOR #7035
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__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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12-08-2021, 01:14 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,149
THOR #16721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
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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.
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12-08-2021, 01:25 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 24FE
State: Washington
Posts: 125
THOR #23201
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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😁
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12-08-2021, 06:14 AM
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#18
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds Siesta 24 SA
State: South Carolina
Posts: 60
THOR #13919
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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
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12-08-2021, 04:05 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,149
THOR #16721
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Quote:
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?
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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?
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