Cheap Heat electric add-on

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If you have a 30 amp service then the cheap heat won't meet your needs. If you have a 50 amp service--then there is no need for multiple cords to run heaters.

I have a 30 amp service, so I do indeed have to run more than one shore power cord.

I suggest you install the biggest possible unit, since you have already proved that the smallest one and the medium size one are NOT going to meet your real life needs.

Interesting about the start up and electric motors. Does it apply to A.C. (120 volt) motors too?

So the bearings in a motor never wear out?

2-MTnesters wrote:
Over Thanksgiving We used our Montana as an additional bedroom for relatives that were in visiting from Texas. We had the furnace set at 65f during the day and 70f at night. We also had 2 space heaters running continuously in addition to the gas furnace. 1.5 30lb tanks of lpg were consumed during this time frame. Where we live I pay right at $25 to fill a 30lb cylinder. At the rate of consumption of 1.5 tanks of propane per week it would only take 13.5 weeks to have spent $500! For me this is a no-brainer, I would rather spend $500 on the Cheap Heat system and have it paid for in 1 season than to have to run numerous small electric heaters in addition to running the gas furnace and having to worry about running out of gas! Speaking only for myself, the Cheap Heat system is what I'm going to purchase for my camper because it is more practical for MY needs. I don't want electric baseboard heaters or stand-alone electric heaters in the middle of the floor, I don't want multiple extension cords run from the rig to the power pedestal and I also want heat in the basement to keep water lines, drains and valves thawed like the factory system is intended to do. Also, if the furnace blower has to run longer with the electric add-on that's fine, the life of an electric motor is NOT shortened by running, it's shortened by the max amp draw of the start condition.

I do have the 50amp service on my camper so I will be getting the largest unit that my furnace will allow. As for the motor remark, when an electric motor first starts up it will draw max amps. When this occurs heat is generated in the stator or windings, more so than during normal run conditions. Over time, this increased temperature will break down the varnish on the windings and will degrade the insulation on the internal wiring thus causing a short. This does apply to 120v motors as well. This is why on large motors there is usually a Soft Start installed which lessons the heat and strain on the mechanical components on the motor which in turn extends the life. And yes, bearings will wear out over time as well but a significantly cheaper repair than replacing the entire motor in most cases.