Running 2 space heaters

[tentcamper]

We went camping for the first time with the TM a few weeks back. Each night it dropped into the low 40's. We only brought one 1500 w heater and it did great. It only ran about 20% of the time and keep the camper at a nice 70 degrees.

Base on its performance I would think one heater is good for us until about 30 degrees. When its going to drop below 30, we will bring our second heater and run it on the 800 W setting. We never had an issue running the two heater one on 1500W and the second on 800W, with our previous campers on a 15 amp breaker.

For dry camping we bring our 8K BTU wave heater, I still need to plum in a quick disconnect on the Low pressure line. With this camper and the performance of the 1500 w elec heater. I think the 8K BTU heater should be good to about 30 degrees before the furnace kicks in.

[rickst29]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

For dry camping we bring our 8K BTU wave heater....

Don't forget: Catalytic heaters avoid creating as much CO as flame heaters, but they still consume lots of oxygen. You need ventilation from outside in order to use one safely!

[tentcamper]

Very true. You need to leave the vent open a 1/2 to 1 inch.

In theory cat heater don't create any CO or HC. They create CO2 and H2O. But if the oxygen get to low they create lots of CO.

[tentcamper]

But getting back to elec heaters. I'm going to look at the 120/20 amp source for the AC to tap into and add an outlet in the camper for the elect heater. I figure I will never run the AC and an electric heater at the same time. I will home run a line and put a 20 amp GFI plug on the end.

I believe the AC 120 is in the junction box that is below the camper just below the fridge.

[mecicon]

Two ceramic space heaters with adjustable temperature setting (smaller than a toaster) two different outlets; one pointed to the front, another to the rear. We set the propane to 65°F and it rarely comes on all the way down to 0°F.

The propane heater has way too much temperature variance (gets too hot, and allows it to get too cold) and is rather loud. We store them under the seat when not in use.

No fumes, no ventilation, no propane.

[tentcamper]

What we found to keep an even heat in the camper, was to put the heater on the front left burner of the stove. Pointed directly at the front corner of the bath.

It ended up with about 1/2 the air hitting the kitchen sink side of the bathroom wall and circulated back around the front half of the camper, and the other 1/2 of the air moves down the hall and around the rear bunk end since the stove top is about bunk height. Now we had to move it during daytime and just point it at the front.

We have only done it this way with outside temps down into the low 40's. But it seemed to keep the camper temps balanced.

[mecicon]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

What we found to keep an even heat in the camper, was to put the heater on the front left burner of the stove. Pointed directly at the front corner of the bath.

It ended up with about 1/2 the air hitting the kitchen sink side of the bathroom wall and circulated back around the front half of the camper, and the other 1/2 of the air moves down the hall and around the rear bunk end since the stove top is about bunk height. Now we had to move it during daytime and just point it at the front.

We have only done it this way with outside temps down into the low 40's. But it seemed to keep the camper temps balanced.

Very ingenious for 40°. But at 0° it's a little different.

[funpilot]

Newbie question. I thought heat strips in the A/C would heat the inside of the TM...

[Riwright]

Not all units have the heat strip installed. Mine does not.

Looking at the specs it seems like the heat strip puts out about 5000 BTU, same as an ordinary 1500 watt space heater.

The main propane furnace is the "big heat." Mine is 17,500 BTU.

If the trailer is well buttoned up 5000 BTU gets me about 20 degrees difference between the outside temp. You mileage may vary.

By "button up" I mean.

Towels across all the flaps
A towel across the bottom area of the door
Curtains closed
Reflectix behind the curtains
Rolled fleece blankets along the three outside edges of the bed
Glad Press and Seal to seal off the roof vents

[Bill]

That heat strip is described by the air conditioner manufacturer as a "chill chaser", and the Owner's manual is clear that you cannot expect it to replace a furnace.

Bill