Ceramic Heater Safety

[Dernhelm]

Not sure where I should post this; please feel free to move it? I did a forum search for the subject, but couldn't find it.

Basically, I'm looking for a supplemental space heater that's "safe" to use in a trailer. By "safe" I mean it has a tipover switch, an overheat switch and if your dog wags his fluffy tail against it, it might not ignite.

Do "ceramic" heaters fit the bill?

[rhagfo]

Well I have read most if not all the responses and don't recall the effects of running a 1500 watt heater on the standard RV 15 amp circuit and outlet. At 1500 watts that is 12.5 amps of current draw on a 15 amp circuit on 14 gauge wire. Not to my liking. My supplemental electrical heat is through my furnace.

[NRALIFR]

The ceramic cube heaters are probably the safest of all the forced air type portable space heaters, and I’m kind of partial to them. I wouldn’t use any type of electric heater in an RV that uses resistance wires or quartz tubes that glow red hot.

The heating element in a ceramic heater is a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) which is self-regulating. If the air flow is restricted, the PTC increases its resistance to reduce the power input and limit the temperature output. You can actually hook one of these heaters to a Killawatt meter, block the air flow and watch the power drop off. Try it and see. A ceramic heater will not get hot enough to ignite flammable materials.

It seems like most of the ceramic heaters nowadays have overtemp and tip over protection on them, but I have 2-3 older ones at home that only have overtemp protection.

:):)

[jfak7670]

We use a Honeywell HeatGenius heater.(https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HeatGenius-Multi-Directional-Programmable-Thermostat/dp/B01M17VVJ7/...) It is easily controlled, has a two-hour auto-off heat phase timer, overheat protection. Also it has a quiet mode setting and is made of high quality heat resistant plastic. We love it!

[austinjenna]

We just use 2 cheap heaters and leave the ac fan on to distribute the heat

[JesLookin]

BarneyS wrote:
We have had excellent luck using a Vornado electric heater in our 30 ft trailer even when the temps get into the hi 30s. It is very quiet and the fan distributes the heat very well. It also does not get hot to the touch, even on the front.
Barney

We've been using a Vornado heater for years. The heat and fan automatically adjust themselves to maintain the preset temperature. Keeps a constant temperature and is very quiet.

[BarneyS]

We have had excellent luck using a Vornado electric heater in our 30 ft trailer even when the temps get into the hi 30s. It is very quiet and the fan distributes the heat very well. It also does not get hot to the touch, even on the front.
Barney

[ScottG]

I was managing an ACE h/w store about 7 years back and there was an above average (for heaters) number of radiator space heater failures. Something in the stat would fry - don't remember exactly.
I don't know if that was an on-going issue after I left the business. If I were in the market for one, I would take a close look at the reviews.

[pianotuna]

How odd. I've never had an oil filled heater fail. I've been using them for 29 years.

[DutchmenSport]

Maybe my head is in a different atmosphere or something, but in all my life, I've never had any problems with any kind of electric space heater, except once or twice. Maybe it's because I use some common sense when operating them.

Over time, and because of marketing, the old style red-hot wire heaters were replaced with the more modern ceramic, square box, style heaters, or fan blown heaters, or the oil-filled heaters. The bottom line is, what's being manufactured today is simply much, much more safe than what was manufactured 30 or 40 years ago. Used with some sensibility, and all of them should work without issue.

I have experienced failure in the oil filled radiator style heaters twice. In both situations, the heating element would not shut off. The thing just kept heating and heating and heating. What was the result? The heater itself was OK, but the electric wire running to it was extremely hot!

After two bad experiences with the oil-filled ones, I quit using them all together. Fortunately, I was right there when I realized something was wrong.

So, now migrated to the little square ceramic style heaters. Never had an issue with any of them.

I think it's more important where the portable heaters are placed, more than the brand or style you get. We have 3 places we position the heaters. The first is on top of the stove. After all, that location is designed for heat, and it's high enough and in sight enough, nothing should ever bump or tip it.

The second location is on a counter top. Never on the floor. Again, it's high enough it's in sight all the time, no threat of tipping, and in the open. Just make sure nothing is placed in front of them, or right beside them.

The third location is the bathroom shower with the door open. Yea, bathrooms get pretty cold!

I think, all the contemporary models and brands and styles are good. Mechanically, there is only so much heat electricity can produce regardless of the new-fangled claims. The difference is how the heat is disbursed from the source... fan or radiant.

So, in my opinion, go to Wall Mart, find one that fits your price range and one that is appropriate for the size it will be used in, be smart in where you place it in your RV, and just enjoy.

[BarabooBob]

One thing to watch out for is the so called "Amish heaters" They are no more than a wooden box with a cheap Chinese heating unit built into them. They do not produce more heat than a basic utility heater (milkhouse heater) They just look fancy and cost a $100 instead of $15 at Walmart.

[BarneyS]

Marcela wrote:
Snip... Lately i've been using a quarts tube unit from lifesmart. It is the cats meow. It has a fan that is pretty quiet with different speeds and the quarts tubes last a long time. It has an eco mode that is set on 68 that I am using, depending on the temperature drop determines how many tubes light up and how fast the fan runs. Search at home depot or other stores will find them. Mine looks like a black box about 1.5' square and sits on the floor. It won't tip over and nothing gets hot that you can touch. Snip...

Is this the one you have or one similar to it? Found on Amazon.
Barney

[JRscooby]

1500 watts is 1500 watts is the max for a plug in heater.
I have a 12 gauge extension cord with a duplex box on the end. I plug that into the 20 AMP on the post. One heater, and DW's coffee pot. My camper has a 20 AMP outlet for the AC. I plug a heater and the mattress pad in there. That leaves the other outlets for normal use, or a 3rd heater.

[Marcela]

I live in a small place without conventional central heating. I've tried a few space heaters. The oil filled radiator looking things take a lot of electric to run, they crack and creak as they heat up, but they work. Lately i've been using a quarts tube unit from lifesmart. It is the cats meow. It has a fan that is pretty quiet with different speeds and the quarts tubes last a long time. It has an eco mode that is set on 68 that I am using, depending on the temperature drop determines how many tubes light up and how fast the fan runs. Search at home depot or other stores will find them. Mine looks like a black box about 1.5' square and sits on the floor. It won't tip over and nothing gets hot that you can touch. Using these has been the comfortablist of any setup I have been using and the electric bill has so far been the cheapest. They are rated to 1500 watts when all the tubes are lit and fan on high but eco mode it might not use all the rated wattage.

Some of them have a filter on the back. This would be my choice to keep dust off the tubes.

[rhagfo]

Dernhelm wrote:
Not sure where I should post this; please feel free to move it? I did a forum search for the subject, but couldn't find it.

Basically, I'm looking for a supplemental space heater that's "safe" to use in a trailer. By "safe" I mean it has a tipover switch, an overheat switch and if your dog wags his fluffy tail against it, it might not ignite.

Do "ceramic" heaters fit the bill?

What do you mean by "supplemental space heater"? Are you trying to avoid using your propane, or to supplement the propane furnace?

[Oasisbob]

Another option is the oil filled radiator type that are electric. Mine has a built in timer and is very adjustable. We leave it on low while the rig is not being used. Timer set for evenings only when it might dip below freezing.