Adding a fireplace (electric fireplace heater)??

[Arkjayco]

Ok so darn this forum! haha 🙂 Anyway, saw a thread where someone had added an electric fireplace heater in their camper...so now I would like to do that!

Anyway, so would like to add something like this...

https://www.wayfair.com/Freestanding-Electric-Fireplace-AKDY1227.html

I would be removing the 2 doors and the center of the 2 cabinets below the stereo here... (If pic doesn't show up, just google "Jayco Swift 267BHS" and look at images and you'll see where I'm talking about)



So, as long as the dimensions are ok with depth and width and stuff for mounting, what else do I need to watch for? Would this be considered a plug and play for a TT once its mounted? There is an outlet in the storage area just to the right of the stereo so plugging this in would be super easy. We currently use a small electric oscillating heater which take up counter space or is in the way in the floor. This cabinet doesn't have but 2 small things currently in it because its not too deep and not amazingly useful. Anyway, just seemed like a good mod!

Thanks all!

[pianotuna]

The wire is fine. The outlets are not.

Arkjayco wrote:
So is the wiring in a TT sufficient to handle the load or would it be at risk of overheating/fire? This is assuming i replace the outlet with a home type rather than rv lightweight outlet. Thanks all. I think these things draw about 1400 watts on max and 12.5 amps. At least the one i was looking at.

[Arkjayco]

So is the wiring in a TT sufficient to handle the load or would it be at risk of overheating/fire? This is assuming i replace the outlet with a home type rather than rv lightweight outlet. Thanks all. I think these things draw about 1400 watts on max and 12.5 amps. At least the one i was looking at.

[kevden]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

It may be best to replace any outlet that will be used with a large wattage heater. I replaced all but 2 of mine. I'm still careful to not over load the outlets.

I used the wall outlet for a few weeks with no problems, but I was a little worried about overloading. I drilled a hole through the floor at the rear of the cabinet, and another in the underbelly cover to feed the power cord thru to connect to a heavy duty extension cord. I mounted a spring loaded round outlet cover in the underbelly to feed the wire thru.

[myredracer]

I would install a dedicated circuit for the fireplace. If you didn't order the optional enclosed underbelly you could run wiring below the floor. Otherwise you could go up inside the wall behind the fireplace, across the ceiling and down the partition wall on left side of the fridge to get to the panel.

[Big_Love]

I installed mine under the TV cabinet where the subwoofer was originally located, and moved the speaker. I now have the option of either plugging the fireplace into the TV receptacle (this circuit is shared with other items), or when possible - running a power cord directly to the 15A shore power box receptacle and bypassing the RV's electrical system.

[westend]

Yes, you want to make sure that the receptacle and connected wiring is rated for the load of the fireplace. As some have found, the cheap receptacles installed in most RV's fail when pushed to their limit. If it was me, I'd install a separate box w/conventional residential 15 amp receptacle, making sure that the wire is capable of the draw of the fireplace.
Adding a new branch circuit also has merit but some RV load centers, typically, are low in open breaker spaces.

[carringb]

If the fireplace outlet is shared with the kitchen outlets, you may want to add a breaker and new branch.

I added one to my trailer, and it's great! Its perfect for maintaining temps, but I still use the furnace for warming up in the morning, which seems to to be enough heat for the basement.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

It may be best to replace any outlet that will be used with a large wattage heater. I replaced all but 2 of mine. I'm still careful to not over load the outlets.

[kevden]

In our outback I removed the doors and shelves, cut and placed stone look vinyl tile on the floor and rear of the cabinet to make it look like a fireplace. I put a duraflame freestanding stove in there which can be easily replaced if it fails. I need to finish the sides and trim, but it works great. The heat blows out of the bottom front of the stove, which as a bonus warms the floor.

[Arkjayco]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah this cabinet is not very deep so right now i think we have 3 small,things in there. Just not real practical as a cabinet.

[brirene]

I got one in a cabinet from Wally's with the intention of ditching the cabinet and mounting it as you're suggesting. We took a couple of trips before I got around to mounting it and found we liked leaving it "portable". It fits nicely on the wall between the cabinet and slide, which was pretty much wasted space. Rolls easily and stores next to the recliner. My cabinet, which is actually deep and very useful, is still available, and we have our fireplace heater. Win/win.

[Second_Chance]

A lot of newer units are coming with them. We find ours handy for heating when temps are above freezing (electric space heaters will not keep the basement from freezing like the main forced-air heater does). Keep in mind that most of these electric fireplaces designed for RVs are made in China... we've had two fail.

Rob

[BB_TX]

Mine was not difficult. But I did not have a center board between the doors. Just removed the doors and no other cabinet mods. And I found a drop in fireplace from electricfireplacesdirect.com with dimensions that were almost exactly the size of the opening.
Things I did.
The fireplace air intake was on top of the cabinet enclosure. But I wanted the intake grill at the bottom rather than the top, so I built a base to raise the fireplace to the top and allow an intake grill (that I made) at the bottom, the air go around the side of the fireplace, and enter at the top.
Since mine was such a near perfect fit, I only had to buy some basic trim wood from Lowe's and cut, fit, and finish to match the cabinet.

[the_bear_II]

That's basically what I did only I replaced drawers with a fireplace insert. I used the outlet for the stereo to provide power for the fireplace. It took about 8 hours from tear down to trim out. It looks like it came from the factory.

We use the heat to take the chill out of the living area. It works great.