The GEO Method and Space Heaters - Thoughts?

[Baja_Man]

Preparing for a week long trip. It will be approx. 300 miles one way to our destination.

1.
I wanted to take this driving opportunity to clean my RV holding tanks.
I was considering using the GEO method (minus Chlorine). My goal is to cleanse inside of tanks, especially black tank, and perhaps coat the insides with the slippery water softener (Calgon).

I would fill each tank half way (Gray and Black) with Calgon and Laundry detergent and then dump once we reach our destination.

Are other methods to accomplish my goal of clean tanks.

Thoughts?

2. Space heaters. Propane heaters use quite a bit of propane. It appears it will dip in to the high 30s-low-mid 40s during our stay. I have two 30# propane tanks.

Are space heaters safe to use or what other methods can be used for my family to keep warm AND safe?

NOTE: We are warm weather campers, so we have little experience in colder temps.

Thanks!

[ktmrfs]

toedtoes wrote:
Yes, generally they are safe to run while sleeping.

Propane heaters, etc, are unsafe because they can create carbon monozide which can kill you while you sleep.

All portable heaters have a level of risk of starting a fire by tipping over or something flammable getting too close. It's a personal comfort level that will get strong opinions both ways, but in the end it's your own "feeling" about the risk that decides.

For me, it's part of why I like a remote controlled space heater. I can turn it on, get in bed, read for an hour or so as the heater warms things up, then turn it off when I'm ready to sleep. When I wake up, I turn it on and warm things up while I stay toasty in bed. When the RV is warm, I get up. But again, I have dogs and worry about a heater getting knocked over in small space. If I didn't have the dogs, I'd be more inclined to leave it on all night.

It's a misconception that CO is only an issue when you are sleeping. CO poisoning can and does get people when they are awake and active, it can hit fast enough that you don't know what is happening and then your gone. We have a friend who is a paramedic. Been to CO poisonng calls, it can hit way to fast and in strong enough concentrations a few minutes is all it takes before you may not be able to get yourself out of harms way.

Make sure you have a working CO detector in your trailer, even if your not using a unvented heater. your in a confined space and stove, oven can emit CO.

[MSchu]

We spent 3 days snowed in last winter in our trailer and were able to keep warm using 2 small ceramic space heaters. I carry a heavy duty construction extension cord so I can have the second heater plugged into the pedestal. There's no telling how much propane I would have used if I had to rely on the furnace.

[toedtoes]

Yes, generally they are safe to run while sleeping.

Propane heaters, etc, are unsafe because they can create carbon monozide which can kill you while you sleep.

All portable heaters have a level of risk of starting a fire by tipping over or something flammable getting too close. It's a personal comfort level that will get strong opinions both ways, but in the end it's your own "feeling" about the risk that decides.

For me, it's part of why I like a remote controlled space heater. I can turn it on, get in bed, read for an hour or so as the heater warms things up, then turn it off when I'm ready to sleep. When I wake up, I turn it on and warm things up while I stay toasty in bed. When the RV is warm, I get up. But again, I have dogs and worry about a heater getting knocked over in small space. If I didn't have the dogs, I'd be more inclined to leave it on all night.

[midnightsadie]

I run my electric heater all night plugged into the GFI outlet.

[Baja_Man]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions!

1. Will only run propane heater while we are awake.
2. Dress warm!
3. I like the idea of a remote electric heater!

BTW...are electric heaters safe to run while asleep?

pianotuna:
Is the reason to change the 120V outlet where a space may be used to replace with a house grade or better quality one?

[Pbutler97]

I guess if you need squeaky clean holding tanks carry on, its your time and money. They'll at least be nice and clean until your next morning constitutional, then rinse and repeat.

[pianotuna]

Replace any 120 volt outlet in the RV if intending to use it with an electric heater.

I use 2 oil filled heaters. They have 3 possible settings. I use them on the 2nd highest.

When it is TRULY cold, I use an autoformer to support the voltage.

Real power (heat) output varies by the square of the voltage.

100 x 100 = 10000

120 x 120 = 14400

That works out to about 31% extra heat.

[ktmrfs]

heat:
we set the thermostat to 50F at night, put on a quilt.
Catalytic propane heaters are claimed to be safe, many have a low oxygen sensor. It is unvented so you will put about 1 gallon of water into the air for every gallon of propane you burn. So if your in a place with low relative humdity, it helps, if your in a place where RH is already high, expect wet windows. Since we usually winter camp in places with high RH, coupled with use of stove, oven, and wet clothes, we pass on the unvented heaters.

There is always the possibility of Carbon monoxide with an unvented heater. CO is deadly, and will give you NO warning if your lucky you survive.

[time2roll]

I have a 1200 watt radiator style heater that does fine to about 35 degrees. Otherwise the furnace runs as needed.

Getting the holding tanks extra clean is overrated. Dump when full or when done camping.

[ferndaleflyer]

I have a DP and spent a week at pigeon forge and this past weekend, 3 days, at a racing event. I ran the hot water heater, cooked on the cook top, and ran the furnace all the time and it cost me less than $40 to refill the propane tank today. At both events it was colder than what you mention. I am not going to be uncomfortable, miserable, to save $40.

[toedtoes]

For heat, if you have electrical hookups, a space heater with remote control works great.

The remote allows you to adjust the temp without having to get out of bed - really nice.

If no electrical hookups, I use a Mr Heater and turn it on before I go to bed to warm up the RV. Then I turn it off during the night. I turn it back on in the morning to warm things up again. As I have dogs, I never liked putting it on the floor, etc. Instead I set it in the stainless sink - that keeps it away from flammable items.

Good quality bedding helps a lot too. And don't forget warm slippers - heat rises and the floor of an RV can cold.

[Boon_Docker]

"I would fill each tank half way (Gray and Black) with Calgon and Laundry detergent and then dump once we reach our destination"

I always put 1 cup of Galgon in the tanks before using, has worked good doing that way.

What you are doing should work good as well.

[Tiger4x4RV]

For heat, my favorite method these days on a trip like that would be to stay at a place with electrical hookups and use a small portable electric heater. Or use a propane heater and turn it off when going to bed. At the temperatures you describe, you and your RV plumbing won't freeze. Good long undies and lots of blankets and sometimes even a knit hat take care of night heat needs safely.

I never run either propane or electric heaters while I am asleep.

Have a great trip!

[ReneeG]

I have no idea about the tank cleaning, but have heard of it and makes sense.

As for the low temps, wear warm pajamas, lots of blankets and wear socks to bed. It shouldn't get that cold inside at night to have to run a heater, but worse case, set your thermostat to 40 and it won't kick on that much but just enough. Use your propane space heater during the morning until it warms up and bake cinnamon rolls or biscuits every morning. After baking, turn off the oven, then open the door to heat up your space with the residual heat. Now I know why I gain weight on cold weather camping trips!!