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12-07-2017, 09:08 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 12
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Let’s talk space heaters....
I’m a full time 5th wheeler with a 2018 372LOK. Being its winter time, and I’m crushing propane left and right (1 100lb and 2 30lbs every 2-3 weeks at 3.14 a gallon=$118 to fill), I want to start supplementing electric space heaters for heat.
I have the electronic fire place that works ok but doesn’t do the living area any justice. So I need opinions on space heaters for my 5ver. Are there any outlets that work solely off shower power and don’t go directly through the breakers? I’ve ran a 1500 watt and it tripped my 15 amp general breaker on numerous occasions.
750vs1500 watt?
Help this West Virginia full timer out. Thanks in advance.
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12-07-2017, 09:24 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 176
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I have a 1500 w heater I purchased from Home Depot which keeps things toasty at 67 in 45 degrees. Then I turn in the heat strip in the Coleman and things are really nice and comfy.
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12-07-2017, 09:29 PM
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#3
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geezer with gadgets
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 672
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What other electrical items are you running on the same 15 amp circuit?
We have a 31 foot motorhome and run a 1500 watt heater with it sitting in our driveway all winter and when we are camping and need to heat the camper when we are using it. We have never had a problem in all the years we have done this.
More information may get better responses to your situation.
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Sent from my Atari 2600
2011 Sunseeker 3170ds "Ladybug"
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee TOAD
Days camped 2015: 37; 2016: 66; 2017: 86 2018: 57 2019: 30
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12-07-2017, 09:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cedar Creek Lake, TX
Posts: 3,477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duffman13
I’m a full time 5th wheeler with a 2018 372LOK. Being its winter time, and I’m crushing propane left and right (1 100lb and 2 30lbs every 2-3 weeks at 3.14 a gallon=$118 to fill), I want to start supplementing electric space heaters for heat.
I have the electronic fire place that works ok but doesn’t do the living area any justice. So I need opinions on space heaters for my 5ver. Are there any outlets that work solely off shower power and don’t go directly through the breakers? I’ve ran a 1500 watt and it tripped my 15 amp general breaker on numerous occasions.
750vs1500 watt?
Help this West Virginia full timer out. Thanks in advance.
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All outlets go through a breaker. If you are tripping then you have other things running on that circuit. Find a circuit with nothing else, or very little, running on it. Some people run a heavy (12 ga) extension cord from the 20 amp outlet on the pedestal to the space heater. But if you have 50 amp service you should have enough power if you just manage the circuit loads.
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Cedar Creek Lake, Texas
2019 Keystone Loredo 290SRL
2019 Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins crew cab
Andersen hitch
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12-07-2017, 09:39 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Liverpool NY
Posts: 967
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We have Presto HeatDish parabolic space heater we purchased several years ago from Costco and have been very pleased. Uses less power than many of the other types. There are reviews on YouTube.
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2015 Shamrock 23IKSS, Oyster shell
2019 Chev Silverado LT Z71 Ext. Cab, 4x4, 5.3L V/8
Reese Straight Line WDH, 2000W Honda Gen.
2 Old Town kayaks & 2 Boston Terriers - Zoey/Gonzo
Lar & Ruth
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12-07-2017, 09:41 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 12
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Let’s talk space heaters....
I’m trying to work the load out on which circuits are running want. I’m hoping that the 15 amp general circuit isn’t running all the outlets in the camper. The only thing we really have on at the same time is the main living tv, and surround sound DVD player. I know that the 1500w heater is running around 12 amps. So I don’t have much to play with on the General breaker. Most of my outlets around the camper are GFCI. I have the washer dryer combo on it’s own circuit.
So right now I’m at a loss as to what circuits are open. I Read that you shouldnt run a space heater on the GFCI.
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12-07-2017, 09:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Suffolk, Va.
Posts: 1,413
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duffman13
I’m trying to work the load out on which circuits are running want. I’m hoping that the 15 amp general circuit isn’t running all the outlets in the camper. The only thing we really have on at the same time is the main living tv, and surround sound DVD player. I know that the 1500w heater is running around 12 amps. So I don’t have much to play with on the General breaker. Most of my outlets around the camper are GFCI. I have the washer dryer combo on it’s own circuit.
So right now I’m at a loss as to what circuits are open. I Read that you should run a space heater on the GFCI.
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I saw another post tonight where someone was using an extension cord to plug their heater directly into the power post at the campground. RV in the 30 or 50 amp and the heater in the 120 volt 15/20 amp.
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Michael & Fran Dilday (Baxter & Honey 2 Labs)
'18 Cedar Creek Champagne 38EL - '17 Ford F350 Lariat DRW w/Reese hitch - TST 507 Color TPMS - Garmin RV 770 LMT GPS
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12-07-2017, 11:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Bow WA
Posts: 769
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I plug into the 110 circuit at the RV park, and run a heavy line to a plug I added on the outside of the RV. Inside the RV, I ran a line to that outside plug. This bypasses the electrical system in the RV. For heat, I use a simple oil filled heater on the 600 or 900 watt switch.
I also use this same heater at 600 watt to keep the RV warm in my garage, during the winter.
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Ram 2500 diesel/ 251rks Surveyor
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12-07-2017, 11:26 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: El Cajon (Crest)
Posts: 143
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Space heaters
My wife's cousin has a 5er and they told us to go to Bed, Bath & Beyond and get a Vornado space heater when we complained how loud our furnace was in our 27' TT. They had been using one for years. I went and got a 1500 watt Vornado heater and it is amazing. Quite and just works great. It was a bit pricey at around $80.00, but over a year latter it has been the best thing we have bought for our TT. My DW is always cold, and I don't know how many different heaters we have bought in the past that just don't cut it. If I ever need another heater it will be a Vornado. We are still impressed at the job it does. Has 3 settings and an adjustable heat level wheel.
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12-07-2017, 11:27 PM
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#10
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Just as confused as you
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: south central Wisconsin
Posts: 5,108
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duffman13;
"So right now I’m at a loss as to what circuits are open. I Read that you shouldn't run a space heater on the GFCI."
Ran 1500watt heaters for years on GFCI outlets. These heaters were for supplemental heat at work stations along with a radio. Had 4 stations set up the same way and never had problems with them.
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Richard & Jill
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS Classic Super Lite
2018 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4WD All Star Edition
Camping since 1989, Seasonal since 2000.
Car Shredder Op/Tech, Scrap Metal Recycling - retired
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12-08-2017, 09:17 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 607
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We just got back from a week of camping and the temps were down in the 20s at night, but got up into the 40s during the day. We also have a 372LOK.
We have this heater[URL="https://www.amazon.com/Duraflame-Infared-Electric-Portable-Purifier/dp/B003N1IXP2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1512742458&sr=8-3&keywords=duraflame+1500+watt+infrared+heater"]
It kept the inside good and warm. We plugged it up on a heavy-duty electric cord which we ran through the bunk room slide and plugged directly into the electrical service so we would not overload the RV circuits.
We had to turn it down at night so the furnace would turn on occasionally so the pipes would not freeze at the inlet.
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12-08-2017, 09:24 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 643
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I installed a 20A inlet and outlet on my trailer that I use to run a space heater or counter top convection oven. I plug it into the 15/20 amp circuit on the pedestal.
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12-08-2017, 09:47 AM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,243
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mwdilday
I saw another post tonight where someone was using an extension cord to plug their heater directly into the power post at the campground. RV in the 30 or 50 amp and the heater in the 120 volt 15/20 amp.
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This may be an issue if the pedestal is a 30A only and there are other occupied sites around you. Many campgrounds with 30A service have 3 pedestals protected upstream with a 100A breaker. If you and your neighbors all use both the 30A and the 15/20A outlets, you can trip the upstream breaker. Usually these are in locked areas requiring campground management intervention. You will not be very popular with your neighbors when they have no electric until the management resets the breaker.
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2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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12-08-2017, 09:57 AM
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#14
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flybob
This may be an issue if the pedestal is a 30A only and there are other occupied sites around you. Many campgrounds with 30A service have 3 pedestals protected upstream with a 100A breaker. If you and your neighbors all use both the 30A and the 15/20A outlets, you can trip the upstream breaker. Usually these are in locked areas requiring campground management intervention. You will not be very popular with your neighbors when they have no electric until the management resets the breaker.
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I hear you loud and clear Flybob but unless there is specific signage on the pedestal which cautions not to use the 30a and the 20/15 a outlets simultaneously, the onus is on the campground, not the person using them.
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2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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12-08-2017, 10:40 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Alberta - East of the Rockies, West of the Rest
Posts: 1,785
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Our work horse is also the Presto HeatDish from Costco, we tried several different heaters over the years and keep coming back to this one. We used 232 liters of propane over the last 36 days in -10C to -23C (14 F - -10F). We do however turn the thermostat down a couple degrees in the evening and for quick recovery in morning turn on the Big Buddy heater for a few minutes.
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2018 RAM 5500 Laramie CC
Sold: Riverstone Legacy 38RE, 960 Watt Solar, 6x6 Volt AGM Battery Bank, Freedom SW 3012 Inv/Charger
Ordered: 2021....
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12-08-2017, 10:45 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Alberta - East of the Rockies, West of the Rest
Posts: 1,785
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I should have mentioned the HeeatDish is plugged into a separate outlet on a separate breaker outside bypassing the trailer electrical system.
__________________
2018 RAM 5500 Laramie CC
Sold: Riverstone Legacy 38RE, 960 Watt Solar, 6x6 Volt AGM Battery Bank, Freedom SW 3012 Inv/Charger
Ordered: 2021....
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12-08-2017, 11:13 AM
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#17
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duffman13
I’m a full time 5th wheeler with a 2018 372LOK. Being its winter time, and I’m crushing propane left and right (1 100lb and 2 30lbs every 2-3 weeks at 3.14 a gallon=$118 to fill), I want to start supplementing electric space heaters for heat.
I have the electronic fire place that works ok but doesn’t do the living area any justice. So I need opinions on space heaters for my 5ver. Are there any outlets that work solely off shower power and don’t go directly through the breakers? I’ve ran a 1500 watt and it tripped my 15 amp general breaker on numerous occasions.
750vs1500 watt?
Help this West Virginia full timer out. Thanks in advance.
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Since you're likely monthly or longer / you are likely paying for electricity separately. Be aware that your electric bill might be higher than your propane bill. You'll definitely need to play with it to see which gives you more heat for the money.
Quote:
Originally Posted by duffman13
I’m trying to work the load out on which circuits are running want. I’m hoping that the 15 amp general circuit isn’t running all the outlets in the camper. The only thing we really have on at the same time is the main living tv, and surround sound DVD player. I know that the 1500w heater is running around 12 amps. So I don’t have much to play with on the General breaker. Most of my outlets around the camper are GFCI. I have the washer dryer combo on it’s own circuit.
So right now I’m at a loss as to what circuits are open. I Read that you shouldnt run a space heater on the GFCI.
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You need to go through breaker by breaker and document what goes where. I did this right before boondocking so that I was prepared for what I could run on the generator/inverter. I ran around with a set of Christmas lights and checked each outlet with them. As I did it, I wrote a note in my phone.
Popping a 15amp circuit breaker with a single heater seems excessive. I don't know much but there has to be something you aren't thinking of OR the breaker is weak and should be replaced.
For me- I'll run up to 2 space heaters provided they're on separate breakers. I have one breaker dedicated to my GFCI outlets and a second breaker dedicated to almost all of the other outlets. There are a couple of special outlets (washer dryer hookup and microwave) that have their own. But really, the majority of usable outlets come down to those 2 breakers.
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Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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12-08-2017, 11:20 AM
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#18
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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I added a circuit on 12-3 wire and connected it to the AC breaker which is 20 A. Won't use the heater if the AC is on and vise-versa.
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12-08-2017, 12:06 PM
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#19
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Empty Nesters
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Posts: 361
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
I added a circuit on 12-3 wire and connected it to the AC breaker which is 20 A. Won't use the heater if the AC is on and vise-versa.
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Now that is an excellent idea!
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2017 Sunseeker 2250 24' MH
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12-08-2017, 12:32 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by keith_h
I installed a 20A inlet and outlet on my trailer that I use to run a space heater or counter top convection oven. I plug it into the 15/20 amp circuit on the pedestal.
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I am in this Camp,and use REAL Home outlets,not RV "Push to Play" type! Youroo!!
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