What kind of heater?

[Trails_And_Tail]

WARNING Newbie Question: We are not planning on using the old furnace in our old Class C RV, but rather use some kind of 110v portable heat. I was thinking a ceramic type heater but have been told that the oil filled ones are better. I'm asking the wise and wonderful long-timers on these forums for guidance. Please keep in mind we travel with our 2 dogs, so safety is at the top of the list. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Chris_Bryant]

No matter the type of electric heater you buy, I would strongly recommend installing a dedicated, high quality outlet, and not using the standard RV outlets they install, which, in my opinion, are not suitable for continuous heavy loads like a heater.

[Dave_H_M]

We use the ceramic tower type oscillating one. One must have for me is a tip over safety switch and they are getting hard to find. I have to have that for insurance with the two dogs and three cats romping around in the camper. Also it has to be digital for setting and controlling the temp.

[buta4]

Oil filled heaters are somewhat similar to home radiators and are the safest mode of heat IMHO.
No propane flame.
No glowing electric grid wires.
Does not consume oxygen from the RV interior.
Can be placed near walls, carpets, furniture, etc.

[tenbear]

We have a ceramic heater but do not use it for over-night use. We bring enough covers to keep us warm in bed. In the morning, if it is cold we use the propane furnace. It provides much faster warming than the electric heater. The electric heater is used mostly for keeping the RV warm in the evening and if it is just a little too cool in the AM.

[georgelesley]

In a RV air circulation is very important for moisture control. No matter the type of heat having a window or ceiling vent is necessary. The furnace does a nice job of this. Heaters without fans obviously do not. Two people + 2 dogs = a lot of moisture overnight especially when it is cold outside.

[JaxDad]

Trails And Tails wrote:
Then there's the fact that I'll be paying for 110 so why not use it instead of my LP. I do understand that we'll have to allow for the 12amp draw. We're planning a mountain trip next spring/summer and I'm not sure how cold it will get, but I do know it WILL be cold at times.

I think your biggest problem will be logistics.

A 1,500 watt heater makes ~5.100 BTU and draws ~12.5 amps.

Your furnace will be 30,000 BTU and about 75% efficient, so about 22,500 BTU.

So then in order to get close to the heat output of your furnace you would need more than 4 electric heaters. Now obviously the furnace doesn't run constantly but even if I you can get by with just 2 heaters running you will be pulling 25 amps out of a possible 30'ish maximum.

Also, in a lot of Class C rigs there is only one 15 amp breaker for all of the outlets. If yours is like this, you will have to get creative in order to run more than one heater.

In my experience one heater, even with a portable fan running to circulate the heat it really only takes the chill off a cool damp day.

[GoPackGo]

I have an DeLonghi oil filled heater and I like it very much. No noise and the heat seems to be more 'gentle'. I set mine under my over head fan. If you get this kind you might consider setting a small fan behind it to disperse the heat.

Farm and Fleet should have some for you to look at.

[Trackrig]

Get one with a two speed fan that osculates, it will keep things warmer by distributing the heat better. We put one about a third of the way down our 40' DP and it gets some heat all the way back to the bedroom.

Also, especially because you have dogs, get one that shuts off when tipped over. I think they're all supposed to have this safety feature now days, but test it. If it doesn't shut off to your satisfaction take it back and get a different model. And test how hot the front of it actually is. Will it burn the dogs or their hair if they touch it. Most units with fans won't, but again test it.

Bill

[DrewE]

Make sure you check out the RV wiring before relying on the electric heaters. RV outlets often use a sort of insulation piercing connection to the wire, unlike household outlets, and are usually not superior quality to begin with. These connections can get poorer with age and a poor connection with a heavy current draw can heat up considerably. It might not be a bad idea to replace the outlet(s) you plug the heater(s) into with good quality spec grade outlets (in the needed electrical boxes) if you can manage that.

Also be aware that many electric heaters, especially cheap ones, have barely sufficiently sized cords; avoid bunching up the cord or having it nestled in upholstery or under a rug.

I keep a small heater fan in my motorhome. I've mainly used it to take the chill off of cool mornings and to exercise the generator in the winter. The fan only mode is also occasionally handy, though it's certainly not a powerful fan by any stretch of the imagination. I am quite cautious about running my heater unattended, especially on high, for the reasons outlined above.

[3boxerss]

we use a ceramic heater that has a osculating feature. keeps us toasty

[Johno02]

If you have good power available, the electric heaters work pretty good. With propane heat, in a trailer with portable tanks, OK but a Motor home has to be moved to refill the tank. Could be a problem. If power is questionable, or voltage drops under load, the heater output drops fast. If you can run two heaters without voltage drop at your power post, you should be OK. Consider an extra, high capacity drop cord for the heater instead of you interior wiring and breakers. If you have space, I like the oil heaters, but for space, we use the small ceramic.

[newman_fulltime]

I prefer the convection type quiet and pus out the heat

[rv2go]

We have been using a couple of these when needed for several years. We got them at Walmart. Less than $20. 2 heat cycles, 700 and 1500 watts.

[stickdog]

Trails And Tails wrote:
We're not using the furnace for a couple of reasons. First it's 25yrs old and I don't trust it. Then there's the fact that I'll be paying for 110 so why not use it instead of my LP. I do understand that we'll have to allow for the 12amp draw. We're planning a mountain trip next spring/summer and I'm not sure how cold it will get, but I do know it WILL be cold at times. We are in the Midwest so we will do a little cold weather testing here, this fall. The furnace works if push comes to shove. Using it would probably mean me staying up "on watch", but it would keep the place warm.

The engine and drive train are 25 years old as well. Do you trust them?
Why not have the furnace inspected by a professional and if given the OK use it.
We use a couple 1500 watt ceramic heaters and they are fine when the temps are require a bit of heat but when it gets below 32 it's time for the furnace.

[time2roll]

1500 watts is about 5200 BTU no matter what the method of delivery.
Fan, radiant or convection -- your choice. I like the radiator style (convection).

I went with a 1200 watt for the lower amp draw.