Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Community Forums > Full-timers & Snowbirds
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-16-2020, 11:06 AM   #1
Insertfubnyforumname
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Cornelia
Posts: 5
Question about heating

Hey guys, I’m currently living in my 24’ Bullet full time. This is a new development for me and I’m new to campers in general. I had a question about heating with a space heater, it’s going to get expensive for me to heat with gas through the winter. My unit is a 30 amp hook up but I’m a little concerned with running a space heater because of the pull and strain on the electrical. How dangerous is this? Is there anything I can do to minimize the danger? And would it be better to find a way to run a heavy duty drop cord through the wall(I have an easy access spot) and run it off that? Or is that more dangerous? Thanks in advance guys
Insertfubnyforumname is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 01:28 PM   #2
SummitPond
Senior Member
 
SummitPond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Northeast Florida/Southeast Maine
Posts: 784
Quote:
Originally Posted by Insertfubnyforumname View Post
Hey guys, I’m currently living in my 24’ Bullet full time. <snip> I had a question about heating with a space heater, it’s going to get expensive for me to heat with gas through the winter. My unit is a 30 amp hook up but I’m a little concerned with running a space heater because of the pull and strain on the electrical. How dangerous is this? Is there anything I can do to minimize the danger? <snip>
Welcome to the forum.

I can't address the question regarding electrical strain, although we do use a portable space heater when the need arises in conjunction with the LP furnace (the furnace does a much better job of taking the chill off quickly throughout the trailer, whereas the space heater keeps our bedroom comfortable).

Have you looked into one of the large external LP tanks that the LP company often provides for a small rental fee and holds lots of fuel?
__________________

Now: 2019 Winnebago 2500FL w/e2 WDH;Sold: 2015 Bullet Premier 19FBPR (shown)
2012 Ford F-250 Lariat Super Duty Crew Cab (gas 6.2 L, 3.73 gear ratio 2WD, 172" WB)
SummitPond is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 01:48 PM   #3
travelin texans
Senior Member
 
travelin texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
Quote:
Originally Posted by SummitPond View Post
Welcome to the forum.

I can't address the question regarding electrical strain, although we do use a portable space heater when the need arises in conjunction with the LP furnace (the furnace does a much better job of taking the chill off quickly throughout the trailer, whereas the space heater keeps our bedroom comfortable).

Have you looked into one of the large external LP tanks that the LP company often provides for a small rental fee and holds lots of fuel?
You beat to the punch!
Contact your local LP distributor to set up a larger tank & keep it filled on a scheduled plan, this could possibly be cheaper than running portable electric heat. Plus you'll still need to run the furnace to keep underbelly warmed.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
travelin texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 02:08 PM   #4
Canonman
Senior Member
 
Canonman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,221
What I think you're really concerned about is the amount of amp draw created by the heater. A 1500 watt (pretty much the max for a space heater) would draw around 13.5 amps. That's close to 1/2 your 30 amp service. But you'll probably not be running it at full power all the time. Here's an example of a space heater that has multiple power levels and is either thermostat or timer controlled.
https://www.amazon.com/Aireplus-Radi...ag=googhydr-20
Wiring to your 110v outlets in the trailer should be either 15 or 20 amp so you'd be well within the safety limits.
Concerns about freezing the plumbing need to be addressed as well. Cold air under the trailer can cause the interior plumbing to freeze. Your city water supply needs to be protected as well. A little more information about your planned environment would help with suggested options in this area.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	_MGL3546.jpg
Views:	98
Size:	569.9 KB
ID:	29815  
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
Canonman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 02:29 PM   #5
BrooksFam
Senior Member
 
BrooksFam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Willamette Valley Oregon
Posts: 330
We've run a 1500 watt ceramic space heater in our 30', 30amp motorhome on winter days/nights. Use LP to take morning chill off if needed. Will use one in our TT this winter.

We are just careful not to run other high amp draw appliances at the same time, ie microwave, wife's hair drier. We'll turn off the heater when needed to do so. At night there is no problem as there is nothing else running.
__________________
2020 Keystone 291RLS
2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 4x4 Crew 3.92
EAZ-Lift Recurve R3 #1200

BrooksFam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2020, 03:01 PM   #6
wiredgeorge
Senior Member
 
wiredgeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,396
If you have a pedestal with 30A and 15/20A, run a heavy duty extension cord out the window if concerned. We have 30A and use a ceramic heater in the winter and if really chilly, turn on the rig's propane heat for a few minutes to take off the chill as others have mentioned.
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
wiredgeorge is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
heat

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.