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Old 08-23-2015, 09:56 AM   #1
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electric heater

Many camp grounds I go to have shore power. As the weather gets colder I plan to continue camping but don't want to use my furnace unless it becomes necessary. Why use my propane if I am already paying for electric?

So my question is how big of an electric heater do I need to keep my 5er comfortable? Don't need 75 - 80 degrees, 68 would be fine during the day. I am talking about an 08 32 foot Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite 8280SS. Nothing real big and needs to be able to run on 15 amp circuit. I see the ceramic heaters seem to be popular. Weight is a consideration. Would like something that will work even when it gets to 15 degrees outside and understand I might need to run two at those temperatures. I am sure there are members that do this so am looking for suggestions.

Jim
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Old 08-23-2015, 10:06 AM   #2
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In sizing you need to consider what else may be on that same 15 amp circuit. A 1500 watt heater draws 12.5 amps in itself when on 120 volt power supplies.

The way you can do the amp math is watts = volts x amps

Or amps = watts divided by volts

1500 watt heater = 120 volts x 12.5 amps.
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Old 08-23-2015, 10:08 AM   #3
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Basically if you kind of know your square footage then buy your heater accordingly and staying within the amp rating. Ceramic heaters are the best. I use a small Ceramic heater in our 35 ft camper and are temps are around 40 or so and it keeps it bearable. Later RJD
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Old 08-23-2015, 10:24 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by wmtire View Post
In sizing you need to consider what else may be on that same 15 amp circuit. A 1500 watt heater draws 12.5 amps in itself when on 120 volt power supplies.

The way you can do the amp math is watts = volts x amps

Or amps = watts divided by volts

1500 watt heater = 120 volts x 12.5 amps.
Trust me I understand all that. What I want to know is how big of a heater, or heaters, do I need? What do members use that have worked well for them? There are only 15 million different ones to chose from out there, LOL. Sense it is just the dog and I, I will know what is plugged into the circuits.

Jim
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Old 08-23-2015, 01:57 PM   #5
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I have two small Honeywell(16x6x6), just $30 guys from Walmart. They don't have perfect thermostat just a rang of heat that you kind of get to know. For us one works good in the day or over kill to heat the bathroom for a shower, at night we use two because our bunk house is on the opposite side of the camper.
We like it cold though, 54-ish at night, 72 to get up and get dressed and 68-ish in the day and we're happy campers. We have never camped at temps below 24F at night, normal cold for us is 45.
John
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Old 08-23-2015, 02:09 PM   #6
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We have the Eden pure 1200 watt heater works great a little expensive but originally got for another purpose. We do like the fact that the outside surface does not get hot, since we now use it camping would not want anything else.
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Old 08-23-2015, 09:10 PM   #7
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I use the 1500 watt heater on our fireplace and ad a second 1500 watt in the bedroom when needed to heat our 42' fiver. Stays fairly comfortable and if really cold will turn the furnace on to help.
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Old 08-23-2015, 09:27 PM   #8
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What a timely question, the grass this morning had a white sugar coating and felt kind of crunchy - no kidding .
We use a Presto Heat Dish (Costco many years ago) with infinite temp. settings and tip over protection.





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Old 08-23-2015, 09:38 PM   #9
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I have to add that the heatpump on the AC is our first choice as long as the temps are above freezing. This morning it raised the temperature from 15 C to 22 C in under 15 minutes - I was impressed since the outside temperature was only + 1 C but the sun was out.
Sorry, to lazy to convert
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Old 08-24-2015, 03:41 AM   #10
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We found the secret to using electric heaters is to run them on the low heat setting...they last a long long time that way.....and don t get hot for potential hazard...
usually one is enough and supplement with camper heat....but sometimes two are required on low heat in 5 er....one upstair and one down...on two different circuits...
they seem to draw around 7-8 amps on low each....well within the 15/30 amp limit so you can still use micro or coffee pot without tripping a breaker....there again common sense applies which the human race has, but doesn t use most of the time.
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Old 08-24-2015, 05:15 AM   #11
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Use the furnace to get your unit warmed up, then a cube heater can maintain unless it's really cold. Just set furnace to a lower setting to kick on if elec heater can't keep up. We usually set it about 65°
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Old 08-24-2015, 08:28 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cypressloser View Post
What a timely question, the grass this morning had a white sugar coating and felt kind of crunchy - no kidding .
We use a Presto Heat Dish (Costco many years ago) with infinite temp. settings and tip over protection.





Tip over protection is a must due to my 4 legged baby. I think all modern electric heaters have it now. If not they should.

Jim
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Old 08-24-2015, 08:41 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Cypressloser View Post
I have to add that the heatpump on the AC is our first choice as long as the temps are above freezing. This morning it raised the temperature from 15 C to 22 C in under 15 minutes - I was impressed since the outside temperature was only + 1 C but the sun was out.
Sorry, to lazy to convert
My previous 5er had a heat pump attachment to the AC but this one doesn't. Wish it did but don't think I can add it to this AC unit. If I could that would be my first choice.


That is why I decided to look at the ceramic heaters. Figure I can put a portable on the kitchen counter and at night put the fan on continuous to heat the bedroom area.

I can do the conversions for you. 15 C to 22C is 59' F to 72 F, +1 is 34 F.

Jim
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Old 08-24-2015, 09:08 AM   #14
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Use the furnace to get your unit warmed up, then a cube heater can maintain unless it's really cold. Just set furnace to a lower setting to kick on if elec heater can't keep up. We usually set it about 65°
Looks like your Rockwood is similar to mine so guessing it has a 30,000 btu furnace. Keeping it set around 63 to 65 just in case is a good idea. With a good ceramic heater it probably won't be needed though. Just hate to waist the propane if I am paying for the electric.

I would run the furnace while setting up to get to a decent temperature. It shouldn't take long to get the trailer warmed up.

Jim
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Old 08-24-2015, 09:14 AM   #15
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I agree... why not use the CG power for heating (unless metered).

Here in the Pacific Northwest a good electric heater is nice to have.
It provides nice dry heat with air movement, several settings, quiet running, reliable and safe.

This is what we use: Caframo True North Deluxe Space Heater <link

I have it set @ the frost protection setting during winter lay-up.
It is just enough to keep it dry with air movement as it cycles on cold winter days.

Tip: I placed a strip of reflective tape across the top front edge to prevent giving it a field goal (kicking it accidentally) .

Hope this helps

Islander
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Old 08-24-2015, 09:27 AM   #16
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If I'm on shore power I use 2 ceramic heaters 1200 watt on low and 1500 on high setting. I keep one in the bedroom on low and the other one down stairs on low or high and then set the temp on the electric fireplace to help the ceramic ones if its needed. Keeps us toasty. If we are boondocking during the day and the sun is out I'll run one of the ceramic heaters on low off the Solar power/inverter while running the central propane heater. At night we just use the central propane heater till the sun comes up the next day. I can make 35 amps off my solar panels so we can use 1 ceramic heater all day off the inverter pretty much to supplement the central propane heater. If its cloudy then its all from the propane central heater.
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Old 08-24-2015, 09:28 AM   #17
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I just run the furnace, Camp in comfort 😎
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Old 08-24-2015, 09:30 AM   #18
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We use this. Love it.
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Old 08-24-2015, 09:37 AM   #19
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OK you win...
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Old 08-24-2015, 09:52 AM   #20
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We purchased a heater like this about 8 years ago and have used it in our house and in our RV each year. During the camping season it stays in the fifth wheel and then when we close up the RV, it comes in the house for supplemental heat.

It works great and is infrared, so there is little to no chance of causing a fire by getting too close to furniture or material. It is fan forced and distributes the heat well.

http://www.northerntool.com/images/p...64_400x400.jpg
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