Oil Filled space heater

[Rwake901]

Does anyone use those oil filled radiator space heaters in their RV and if so do you feel safe using them at night while sleeping? I'm thinking about buying one. Thanks

[JiminDenver]

I had three 1500 watt units at the house, one was made in the 80's and was left on in the garage all winter long. I did have a switch go out on one of them finally but the other two are fine. Just one set to high was enough to keep the trailer comfortable when it was in the 20's. Now that I am on the road I have a 400w oil filled panel that evens out the cold spots and reduces how often the furnace comes on.

[MrWizard]

They work fine
If you want it on 24/7 run the external cord

Or you can think of it just like the A/C , if on 30 amp power, turn it off when using the MW or hair dryer etc..

Power Management is the key
Most are only 1200w and use less power than the A/C , also no power factor to va loss, like there is with A/C compressors

[pianotuna]

Hi,

My belief is that the oil filled heaters are the safest you can use. I've worn out two and may be upgrading to baseboard heaters this winter.

There are some 1/2 size oil filled and some flat panel ones that take no extra space at all. I do keep oven liner tinfoil to protect the walls of my RV and reflect the heat into the RV.

If you plan on using the full 1500 watts make sure to replace the receptacle in the RV with one that can take that sort of load. The OEM stab type are not suitable.

[ksg5000]

I don't think safety is an issue and quiet is nice - but they are slow to heat and take up more room than the more popular electric space heaters. I went with Vornado.

[azrving]

Probably safer than the $20 cubes that go into melt down. If you use one of those place it on the open oven door or a cookie sheet so it doesn't ignite the floor.

[Bumpyroad]

never used mine in the RV, but always in the S&B, they make/made a low profile one that would be better in a RV. one of mine at home is about 3 inches from wall and on 24/7/300.
bumpy

[DutchmenSport]

My mother has been using Oil Filled space heaters for years and years. She has 3 of them in her house. Leaves them on 24x7. In 20 (plus) years, she's had only 1 fail. It died, would not heat any more.

They should work fine in an RV as well.

Suggestion: If you are going to run a separate electric heat source in your camper, run a separate electric cord to the campground pedestal and plug it into the 15-20 amp household style receptical. This way, it won't draw amps through your camper, using up precious 30 amp or 50 amp power.

If you decide to run 2, run two separate extension cords outside the camper and plug in to the shore power pedestal. 1500 is a LOT to draw and you run the risk of popping breakers. Popping won't hurt anythng. It's designed to so. But it's frustrating not being able to keep and maintain the electric usage you want. (and the aggrivation of fumpling around in the dark to re-set breakers.)

[Mile_High]

It should be plenty safe, using the standard space heater precautions 🙂 Don't let anything drape over it, or have in a place you can tip it over.

I use one in the basement office at home round the clock, even in the summer because it curbs the over zealous house AC that is hard to regulate in the basement.

[time2roll]

Yes it runs 24/7 when needed. Mine is just 1200 watts.

[MountainAir05]

We use ours in the Rv and sleep with no issues. We have one with a fan and the other one does not. Both work without any issues with us.

[samsontdog]

I have one in all 9 rentals {Park Models} in Yuma. They take the chill off at night in Dec and Feb. They don't put out much heat when you start them up but after the oil warms up they work ok. Never had a problem using them in 16 yrs.
It is the renters choice if they use or not and they pay the elect that they use. Much cheaper then forced air heat