Forum Discussion

bristles's avatar
bristles
Explorer
Mar 18, 2018

Electric heaters

This has probably been asked before, If so, sorry. Getting started early this year. I am looking to add an electric heater to help cut down on the propane use while plugged in. Are there any formula's to know what size heater I should use? Trying to heat 23 feet of camper and only help not over ride the furnace.

50 Replies

  • I like an electric oil filled radiator. It's silent and doesn't get jammed up with dust like a fan driven heater. Downside is it takes a bit longer to start producing heat.

    Once you find out what setting on the dial is comfortable it provides a very nice even heat, not up and down like the furnace or fan heater.
  • The biggest portable space heaters are 1500 watt and they all put out the same amount of heat. You don't have to worry about circuit size or anything like that.
    The rest of the design is more about noise and delivery method but they all put out the same heat.
  • “Cheap ones that I've seen at Wal-Mart“

    Hmmm. I haven’t...seen...any cheap ones at Walmart without a tip over switch. Could you elaborate please, trail explorer?
  • “But I prefer getting far away from civilization when I camp..”

    Me too, All I could.
  • I use my 1,500 watt cube heater if I am at an electric site. Plenty for my tiny trailer. But I prefer getting far away from civilization when I camp, so propane heat and solar battery charging is my norm
  • rbpru wrote:
    and they shut off if tipped over.


    Cheap ones that I've seen at Wal-Mart don't have a tip-over kill switch.
    At least the last time I bought they didn't, that was about 3 years ago.
  • bristles wrote:
    Are there any formula's to know what size heater I should use?


    No formulas.

    All you can do is go buy a space heater at your favorite store and use it. If it's not enough, buy a second one.

    Most space heaters have a max rating of 1500 watts.
  • Only issue I see, RB, is an electric heater doesn’t shoot any warm air down to the tanks...cupboards open or not. I try to think of my TT first. She’s happy...I’m happy.
  • rbpru wrote:
    In general an electric heater draws a max of 1800 watts that is a 15 amp draw. Many home circuits are breaker/fused to 15 amps.

    15 amps is also half of the 30 amps most smaller TTs are designed for.

    We run our electric heater at the medium setting which is 1200 watts and it keeps our 25 ft TT in the mid fifties at night. That is where we like it.

    During the day the cooking, washing and other activities seem to keep our TT warm.

    We almost never run the gas furnace but it can bring the TT into the 70s in ten minutes.

    I like electric heaters because they are safe and they shut off if tipped over.


    X2.
    We can keep,our 33ft warm up n the feistier and use propane and electric in the 30's and upper 20's.
  • In general an electric heater draws a max of 1800 watts that is a 15 amp draw. Many home circuits are breaker/fused to 15 amps.

    15 amps is also half of the 30 amps most smaller TTs are designed for.

    We run our electric heater at the medium setting which is 1200 watts and it keeps our 25 ft TT in the mid fifties at night. That is where we like it.

    During the day the cooking, washing and other activities seem to keep our TT warm.

    We almost never run the gas furnace but it can bring the TT into the 70s in ten minutes.

    I like electric heaters because they are safe and they shut off if tipped over.