Furnace vs Space heater questions

[Tapex]

Has anyone run a 12/3 (25')extension cord to service pedestal thru side out into 20 amp to run 1500w ceramic heater?

[bob caldwell]

Have 2.....but hardwired in to outlets inside

[Tapex]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Have 2.....but hardwired in to outlets inside

This is definitely what I need to do. Was this a hard project?

[keith_h]

Originally Posted by TODDS

Has anyone run a 12/3 (25')extension cord to service pedestal thru side out into 20 amp to run 1500w ceramic heater?

I have a permanently installed power inlet and outlet for the sole purpose of hooking up to the 20 amp circuit on the pedestal in addition to my trailer's built in 30 amp service. I installed mine in the same area where the 30A service comes in and put the outlet in a panel below our bathroom door. It took me about an hour to do. We also use it in the summer for kitchen appliances so we don't have to worry about overloading the main service when the A/C is running. An added bonus is we now have an outlet in a convenient location where there was none previously.

[bob caldwell]

Todd's....was harder figuring out where I wanted the outlets.

[Tapex]

I know my location that I choose is key to a successful installation. Eventually between spring and fall of next year I'll cross this bridge for this optional heating source.

[Tapex]

Would the outlets need to be GFI ?

[bob caldwell]

No
But mine are

[Tapex]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

No
But mine are

As soon as you walk in our camper to the left close to the floor, there's the breaker/fuse box, I would like to wire it so when we are not running the A/C we can run the 1500W heater basically on the same breaker since it is 20 amp breaker.

[bob caldwell]

I just use the pedestals breaker
And gfi's
Out here in Arizona desert, it get's cold at night. With my set-up, can leave heater on while running everything else that I need to

[bob caldwell]

[Tapex]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Attachment 126135

Basically you use the factory installed GFI's correct?

[bob caldwell]

Lowe's.....these have screw on covers and screw terminals for wire
also used a house type blue box behind wall that is made to install in walls after sheetrock has been installed....the boxes have two wings, one on opposite ends, that hold box to panel....same type box used on exterior wall with waterproof cover.....A lot of folks are against this, but I use an extension cord with 2male ends.....from pedestal to trailer....I make sure breaker on pedestal is off when connecting or disconnect ing

[bob caldwell]

Second plug for us is in slide, outlet is in front of dinnet seat....so I use a jumper cord to connect both out side plug ins together....dinnet one only powers laptop and adding machine.....and because it's in the slide, the house wire will break from being folded back and forth thru time.....you can spend a bunch on the round style outside plugs, but I didn't see any advantage, seeings how I'm the only one plugging stuff in

[keith_h]

Here are some pic of my installation. I added the plywood so I would have a solid surface to mount the remodel box to. I've added another box for my
TV/Bluray/Internet in a different luan panel. There due to room I just glued some 1/2" plywood behind it to give a good mounting surface for the remodel box and to stiffen it up.

Edit: My set up lets me use a standard extension chord as it has a male inlet on the outside. I used 12 ga wiring and extension.

[Tapex]

Originally Posted by keith_h

Here are some pic of my installation. I added the plywood so I would have a solid surface to mount the remodel box to. I've added another box for my
TV/Bluray/Internet in a different luan panel. There due to room I just glued some 1/2" plywood behind it to give a good mounting surface for the remodel box and to stiffen it up.

Edit: My set up lets me use a standard extension chord as it has a male inlet on the outside. I used 12 ga wiring and extension.

Very informative information! Helps me get a better understanding of the installation process.

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Lowe's.....these have screw on covers and screw terminals for wire
also used a house type blue box behind wall that is made to install in walls after sheetrock has been installed....the boxes have two wings, one on opposite ends, that hold box to panel....same type box used on exterior wall with waterproof cover.....A lot of folks are against this, but I use an extension cord with 2male ends.....from pedestal to trailer....I make sure breaker on pedestal is off when connecting or disconnect ing

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Second plug for us is in slide, outlet is in front of dinnet seat....so I use a jumper cord to connect both out side plug ins together....dinnet one only powers laptop and adding machine.....and because it's in the slide, the house wire will break from being folded back and forth thru time.....you can spend a bunch on the round style outside plugs, but I didn't see any advantage, seeings how I'm the only one plugging stuff in

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by FrankG

There have been a number of posts in this thread where portable electric heaters are placed on tables, counters and on higher shelf's. I do not have any issues with the practice except it defies all space heating physics. We all know heat rises and in a confined space if you heat the top layer the lower layer (floor) would remain much cooler. I would require a new pair of wool socks.

Heat rises??? I place our 1-2 ceramic heaters on a table or counter for a reason- much less likely for one of the kids to place something like a blanket or towel over it resulting in a dangerous situation. I would do the same if I had pets. Our oil filled radiator heater stays on the floor, but it stays cool to the touch when on low. We run the ducted a/c on fan only which circulates the air sufficiently that there is no apparent difference in temp at the floor. All rooms stay very consistent as well as long as doors remain open to allow circulation.

[tennlady]

I have to leave my motorhome for the weekend and it will be 18 degrees outside in the mornings and up to 35 during the day, so I was thinking of setting the thermostat to 45 degrees so that the furnace will come on so the pipes in the underbelly don't freeze. I am disconnecting the hose from the motorhome and spigot so I don't have to worry about that. Does anyone know if the furnace will come on when set that low.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by tennlady

I have to leave my motorhome for the weekend and it will be 18 degrees outside in the mornings and up to 35 during the day, so I was thinking of setting the thermostat to 45 degrees so that the furnace will come on so the pipes in the underbelly don't freeze. I am disconnecting the hose from the motorhome and spigot so I don't have to worry about that. Does anyone know if the furnace will come on when set that low.

If your thermostat "goes" that low, it should turn on. If it's digital, I don't think you'll have a problem, I think they'll let you go down to 45 degrees.

If you have the old mechanical type, you can only go as low as it will slide/rotate down to.

For example, this one only goes down to about 50 degrees:

[tennlady]

Thank you, it is digital