Making updates to MH and I wanted to replace the old CRT TV. It was mounted in the dash and the 32" flat screen would not fit in the existing area. Looked and looked for an electric fireplace to mount where the TV was and finally found one that was the correct width and depth but too tall. Decided I could modify the cabinet so it would fit and I was successful with the modification. After the installation I was very pleased and the fireplace worked great when I took it from the warm house and installed in the MH. The next day I went to the MH and the interior temp was in the 20s. When I turned on the fireplace it started making noise and the display flickered. My question is was the temp too cold for the display function of the fireplace? Will it need to be "warmed Up' like a flat screen TV or computer before it can be turned on? This particular fireplace the display can not be turned off separate from the heat function. I plan to use it for auxiliary heat so I could run the furnace to warm things up before turning the fireplace on if necessary.

Are you sure it had enough power available? Are you at home plugged into a household 15 amp circuit or something similar?

Did you have shore powerOr did you plug the fireplace into the "entertainment outlet powered by the inverter"It is very likely too small an inverter for the heater, also will kill your batteriesYou need shore power or generator power for the electric fireplace heat

Insufficient power source sounds like the cause to me.

If you plugged it into the same outlet as the old CRT TV, it might be tied to an inverter as was already mentioned... Try running an extension cord to a known 120v power source and see how the fireplace reacts..Good luck!Mitch

Plugged into shore power. 30amp circuit. Have plugged 1500w heaters in the same circuit in the MH with no problems. Don't have an inverter.

Electric Fireplace - Too Cold? | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Feb 13, 2014
Might be a good idea to call the mfr, sounds like a good question for them.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2014
I do not believe it will damage the display.. I mean there are LCD displays that are always on in modern cars and trucks and they are not damaged.

BUT.. You are wise to not take chances.

You can always give a blast from ye old propane burner to get the house warmed a bit quickly if you need to then switch to electric fireplace for atmosphere and lower cost when the park buys the power.
haydoracin
Explorer
Feb 12, 2014
The heat function works fine at any temp but unfortunately the display cannot be turned off when the heat is on and I am afraid it might damage the display function. I would rather the two functions could be operated separately but this is the only unit I found that would fit in the space I wanted to install it. The heat function can be turned off when the display is on but the display can not. now that I know the display will work when it warms up I can live with it.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Feb 12, 2014
The fireplace makes heat, even when cold, just the display doesn't work, right? I can't see the heating elements only being operable above 50F
haydoracin
Explorer
Feb 12, 2014
Had the heat on in the MH today while we were packing. Fireplace display started working after temp got up to about 50 degrees. Since engine heat ducts run behind fireplace I'm hoping it will be warm enough to work when we stop for the day. If not we will have to warm things up with the furnace before we can use the fireplace for auxiliary heat.

Thanks for all the replies.

Haydo
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
haydoracin wrote:
That's the information I am looking for MrWizard. I can't find anything that states LCD, LED or Plasma. Yes the flame is orange. The box says not for use outdoors and I assumed this was for safety reasons and didn't consider inside a MH as outdoors. Nothing on the box or website mentions operating temperature range. The unit is an Emerson fireplace.

Have you checked the installation instructions for operating temp? Every electric device has basic operating parameters somewhere. Either in the installation/operating instructions or on a tab attached to the unit.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2014
fla-gypsy wrote:
Insufficient power source sounds like the cause to me.

That would be my guess as well, though that said some LCD type displays do have problems at low temps.. USUALLY are OK in the 20's but I've seen them go away completly at say -20.

IF it clears up as the motor home warms up.. That's it.

Slse, what Gypsy wrote, which as I said is my best guess as well.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2014
If you can, I would take it out of the RV while its still nice and cold and bring it inside and immediately plug it in. If the same issue exists but goes away once it warms up you have your answer. If it works perfectly when you bring it inside then you also have you answer but the answer is you have a power issue somewhere in the RV.
tenbear
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
I bought some LED bulbs at Home Depot and they won't work in an outdoor socket when the temp is below about 15F. Could be the same problem.
haydoracin
Explorer
Feb 09, 2014
That's the information I am looking for MrWizard. I can't find anything that states LCD, LED or Plasma. Yes the flame is orange. The box says not for use outdoors and I assumed this was for safety reasons and didn't consider inside a MH as outdoors. Nothing on the box or website mentions operating temperature range. The unit is an Emerson fireplace.

Forum Discussion

Electric Fireplace - Too Cold?

20 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

electric fireplace

electric fireplace

Electric

Electric fireplace

Electric Fireplaces