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Artum_Snowbird's avatar
Oct 01, 2018

Electric plug in heaters recommendations

We have been looking at plug in heaters to replace a cheap one we bought a year ago. The trouble with this one is the thermostat is way too wide. It cuts in at 60, then out about ten degrees higher.

I am looking at a Tenergy unit that sells through Amazon. This model has a squirrel cage fan and wraps the cord up on the back because it feeds in the front and exits out the same.

We like a quiet unit, and a unit with a handle too as we have to stow it between stops.

Any that you particularly like, or really don't?

10 Replies

  • Lynnmor wrote:
    I might buy one of these to provide a more accurate control of temperature. Plug In Thermostat


    That looks like a good idea. I have a oil filled baseboard heater. It works well in my 20 foot TT.
  • Lynnmor wrote:
    I might buy one of these to provide a more accurate control of temperature. Plug In Thermostat


    Dittos! I have never had decent performance out of an in-heater thermostat, but the pictured thermostat does a much better job of maintaining a halfway even temperature.

    As to type- After trying many, I THINK I like the oil filled "radiators" the best. While they don't have a 'circulating fan' I've found that old fashioned convection does an adequate job of heating the whole room. The only trouble with them is that I can't seem to keep them on "full time". Even when totally on high, the internal thermostat kicks them off pretty regularly- and thus limits the ability to heat vs. some other types of heaters. They are also a little bit big and heavy compared to others.

    Used to love "Vornadoes" (they had a nice quiet fan), but I've had too many break and they cost a pretty penny!
  • wa8yxm wrote:


    BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND PLUG IN HEATERS IN RV's (unless)

    The reason for this is that the Uni-box or Quick Box Outlets are really not that good at double digit amperage (The standard 1500 watt heater is 12.5 amps I think) the punch down type connections they use are great for say a few milliamps of telephone current (common in phone systems) but at double digits there is not enough contact area between teh wire and teh outlet so it gets HOT. and things MELT.. I've not had a wire actually melt on me but others have. I have had "How wire smell"

    I put in a pair of 15/20 outlets with 12ga wire bent around a well tightened screw.. Each one has a circuit breaker to itself (one 15 one 20. that is what I had open) and both of 'em .. LIke 12 years and not one evidence of overheat.



    I agree with this and also installed a dedicated outlet on its own breaker for a heater. I used the screw type with the wire wrapped around it just like God intended. I also replaced the other outlets with real ones wherever I could.

    A heater with the 750 and 1500 watt settings is also a great idea.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    I have some HOlmes I rather like and I think Honeywell.

    BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND PLUG IN HEATERS IN RV's (unless)

    The reason for this is that the Uni-box or Quick Box Outlets are really not that good at double digit amperage (The standard 1500 watt heater is 12.5 amps I think) the punch down type connections they use are great for say a few milliamps of telephone current (common in phone systems) but at double digits there is not enough contact area between teh wire and teh outlet so it gets HOT. and things MELT.. I've not had a wire actually melt on me but others have. I have had "How wire smell"

    I put in a pair of 15/20 outlets with 12ga wire bent around a well tightened screw.. Each one has a circuit breaker to itself (one 15 one 20. that is what I had open) and both of 'em .. LIke 12 years and not one evidence of overheat.

    Currently I'm only using half power (750 watts) on each but that's all I need at the moment if I kicked one of 'em up to 1500 I'd be too hot in one area.

    OH I have a 3rd circuit (also 15 amp breaker but 12ga wire) I added as well that one was added last summer to add power to the kitchen area NICE.
  • Digital heaterWe have used various iterations of this heater for years - the digital control works like your house's thermostat. Keeps the temp nice and uniform
  • OP...I recently purchased the Tenergy 750/1500 heater. I have used it several times, and am very happy with the performance, compared to others I've had. It has a very good cord on it, that can actually handle 1500 watts. The heat comes out the upper front, so the floor right in front of heater does not get hot. The squirrel cage does make a little rumble noise, if you are sitting right behind the heater, but moves huge amount of air.

    My last week camp had night time temps in the mid 40s, and the Tenergy kept my entire FW at 70, when set at 1500 watts, thermostat knob just past halfway. My FW is well insulated, so others experience may differ.

    Jerry
  • We have an oil filled radiator type that works very good. We keep it in the bedroom on low but it can heat our entire trailer down into the 40's on high. Best thing about it is, it's completely quiet.

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