I eat alot raw and enjoy use of the microwave. For heat would there not be possible alternatives for a small 24 ft. motorhome? I have never tried anything but propane and would want something very safe. I guess there would be no other options for "dry camping" Long range I will get a new propane tank just exploring alternatives. Doug

Look up portable IH cooker.Of course youll also need power suply to use it,such as Jackerry or Bluetti rechargable generator.I see many rvers using just that.Examplehttps://youtu.be/6KgW7OQDsTkhttps://youtu.be/VAhbMuXScqc

Not that I can think of unless you install a little wood burner and heat with wood or have enough battery capacity to heat that way which would be very expensive. You the guy with the rusted out LP tank?Have you considered a storage area in the RV that you could modify to accept 20lb or 30lb portable LP bottles? Basically just needs to be sealed from the interior with open air ventilation. Piping and hoses shouldn't be too much of a challenge.Another option that would use electricity, but near as much as electric heat could be a pellet stove? Quick check, saw a wall mount pellet stove that was 27x36 x 12" deep. Heats 1000sf, so you could run it very low to heat a couple hundred sf?

Are you in a situation where you have an under-floor propane tank that is bad and need expensive replacement so now is the time to ask this question?OR new bbq tank for $40 full?Keep the propane onboard for the heat, that furnace is so easy and already safe.Use the stove, it is already there, yes it takes a little longer, but no need to run a generator. If you like cranking a generator to heat a plate then fine too.The Buddy heater will be maxed out for a 24 foot camper, but use at night in a closed bedroom with window cracked for safety and a CO alarm you will be fine.Buddy does put out humidity so room will be more humid and you will get condensation on walls that can lead to mold if used a lot.If you were building from scratch it is one thing, but you have an RV built for propane, use it. what about the fridge, you don use a fridge?

IH cooker looks interesting but no good for dry camping. Right now my onan gen is no good so no genset either. Depending on the weather maybe I would not need a heater on some nights with this global warming. I do camp between Dec and March only. But only in very southern desert country. Doug

No, your options are really just propane. You can use the 1lb cans for a buddy heater or similar, or use the 20lb bbq tanks that fit your RV. Make the 20lb tank happen.You need batteries for boondocking multiple days and also solar. solar is fine in southern states in the winter depending on your needs. It works for me even in the forest, which of course is leafless in winter.Two golf cart batteries are a good investment and are more robust than the marine battery.The lithium batteries are low enough price that if you camp a lot it can be worth the investment assuming you will stay with it 5-10 years.Again, solar. Do not get the flexible panels, glass only. 200-400 watts is typical, and an MPPT controller that fits the system. Go 24 volt and let the controller change it to 12. By going 24 you use smaller wire from the panels to the inside controller and the controller is always supplied more than 14 volts. This is running two panels in series. Panels are 18 volts, so thats really 36 volts in series, but it is still called 24 volts. dont try to understand this.

Doing without propane | Good Sam Community

afidel
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2022
I'm using this style of heater, they say 1500W but they really draw ~1,000W on high and 500W on low according to my killowatt and smart plugs. On a 30A you could run 2 on high easily enough. If it gets really cold they might or might not be enough to keep it comfortable, you might want to have a buddy heater available for the very coldest nights. Also note they'll do nothing to keep your tank warm, my trailer was winterized back in November and I've been carrying jugs of water in and using the facilities in the house.

As far as temps, 10F is the coldest day I've seen without any propane use, that was after I got the 3rd heater. My trailer stays at 45 at night and then starts warming up to 72 90 minutes before my work day starts, 30 minutes before the propane furnace is set to 65, so it only comes on if the electric hasn't raised the temp from 45 to 65 in 1 hour. At anything below 10 degrees that was happening most days with 2,000W of electric, like I said with 2,500W it's only happened once that I've seen.

Basically at least in my trailer with Reflectix in the windows and the vents stuffed with Camco reflective pillows I'd be fine down to 10F easily, below that I'd want a supplemental source of heat.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 10, 2022
afidel,

Did you happen to note the voltage under load when measuring the wattage on the heaters?

I love my kill-a-watt and my watt meter.
afidel
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2022
pianotuna wrote:
afidel,

Did you happen to note the voltage under load when measuring the wattage on the heaters?

I love my kill-a-watt and my watt meter.

My voltage is generally around 123-125V, according to my smart switch this month it's been 120-123.3V at the device for the heater in my living room.
mlts22
Explorer
Mar 15, 2022
I know I'm late to this topic, but if I were looking for something as an alternative to propane, and electric didn't do it, I'd look into the no-name Chinese diesel heaters that a lot of people are touting. They can throw out quite the BTUs for the relative small size and power usage (around 3-4 amps), and exhaust the stuff outside.

If I were putting in a furnace, and could use propane, I'd go with a vented Platinum Cat, as it uses relatively few amps to keep a rig warm.

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