Portable electric heaters

Cummins12V98 wrote:
When ordering our DRV we went with "CheapHeat". It's not CHEAP but worth every $$$. No more little heaters that go bad and having them clutter the rig.

Some of the best money spent on our 5er, safe and warm!!!

When ordering our DRV we went with "CheapHeat". It's not CHEAP but worth every $$$. No more little heaters that go bad and having them clutter the rig.

rockhillmanor wrote:
I used to use the oil filled heaters too until I noticed that for whatever reason these oil filled heaters heats up the plug. Check you plugs you will be shocked how hot they are and your outlets.

I now only use ceramic heaters.

just checked mine that has been on 24/7/???? and it is cool.
I am curious if that was on a cheap knockoff or a name brand, think there are two, as I had a knockoff that started leaking oil. sounds to me like the plug/socket was not properly contacting.
there is or at least was a smaller version that would be perfect in a rV.
bumpy

I used to use the oil filled heaters too until I noticed that for whatever reason these oil filled heaters heats up the plug. Check you plugs you will be shocked how hot they are and your outlets.

I now only use ceramic heaters.

We also use a Vornado. Every happy with it. Also have a ceramic cube for backup. No problems running it through the 30 amp system in our TT. I did install a separate 15 amp circuit that I plug directly into the power pedestal at the campground if we need to use two heaters. Since I'm already paying for their electricity I'll save my propane until it gets pretty cold and I need to heat the underbelly.

rhagfo wrote:


Well as son of a Firefighter I avoid portable electric heaters as much as possible. I am
Concerned with draw on an RV outlet, and fires started by contact of flammable materials. The only semi safe portable electric heater is the oil filled, but still the issue with draw on the outlet.

I agree 100%. Whenever possible I add dedicated outlets on separate breakers to use with portable heaters. My present rig has all of the outlets in the trailer on a single 15 amp breaker which means a lot of connections between the breaker and most of the outlets, too easy for a poor connection to overheat and cause a fire. Doesn't matter if the appliance is a heater, hair dryer or coffee maker. Although most of the other high current items only run for a few min. while the heater may run for hours.

Anyway since the toyhauler doesn't have forced heat to the garage, I added one outlet there plus two others in the rest of the trailer.

theoldwizard1 wrote:

Dayle1 wrote:
I also use the oil filled heaters, unlike all the others, they put out a steady flow of heat even as the heating element cycles on and off.

The downside of an oil filled heater is it does not react quickly to big surge of cold air, like from opening a door.

Other than that, they are great. Add a small fan.

In reality very few portable heaters react to temperature changes, either fast or gradual changes. That is because the so called 'thermostat' really just provides adjustable heat output. At a specific setting, they will produce the same heat regardless of ambient air temperature. So, they do not measure the ambient air temp and cannot react to changes in room temperature. This is true of the oil filled units as well. That is why I use a separate WIN100 controller, it has a true temperature sensor and will cycle the heater just like the furnace thermostat. For safety concerns portable heaters do have a max temp switch, but that just keeps the heater from getting too hot internally.

I can attest that if you place a small ceramic cube heater on the floor, kick the covers off the bed onto it, the covers will get charred.
bumpy

rhagfo wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
Ceramic heater preferably with a "tip over switch". Read the labels carefully to see if the heater has a tip over switch.

Rv's are small and these units are usually placed on the floor where it easily can be knocked over.

Which finding one with a safety 'tip over switch' is becoming harder and harder to find since UL caved in and changed the laws and says they are no longer mandatory because lobbyist says its too costly for the manufacturers. :R

I digress IMHO buy a heater with a tip over switch. It tips over and it shuts off immediately.

The new safety functions.....when the heater tips over it will only shut off when it touches something and catches fire to raise the temp level high enough to shut off. A little too late for me.

Off my safety alert soap box. :C

Well as son of a Firefighter I avoid portable electric heaters as much as possible. I am
Concerned with draw on an RV outlet, and fires started by contact of flammable materials. The only semi safe portable electric heater is the oil filled, but still the issue with draw on the outlet.

I can agree there is some risk simply because electrical fires do happen.
However that risk exist with any hi draw appliance. Furnace and LP fires happen as well.
In the end use reasonable precaution and you should be OK.

rockhillmanor wrote:
Ceramic heater preferably with a "tip over switch". Read the labels carefully to see if the heater has a tip over switch.

Rv's are small and these units are usually placed on the floor where it easily can be knocked over.

Which finding one with a safety 'tip over switch' is becoming harder and harder to find since UL caved in and changed the laws and says they are no longer mandatory because lobbyist says its too costly for the manufacturers. :R

I digress IMHO buy a heater with a tip over switch. It tips over and it shuts off immediately.

The new safety functions.....when the heater tips over it will only shut off when it touches something and catches fire to raise the temp level high enough to shut off. A little too late for me.

Off my safety alert soap box. :C

Well as son of a Firefighter I avoid portable electric heaters as much as possible. I am
Concerned with draw on an RV outlet, and fires started by contact of flammable materials. The only semi safe portable electric heater is the oil filled, but still the issue with draw on the outlet.