Space Heater

[Happymi]

I have read the history on space heaters on iRV2.com.

There are many options to choose from but since the post is over a year old I was wondering if any of you have current information?

It's beginning to get cold here in Ma. and we will be here another month or so and was thinking about buying a ceramic space heater. We have all the bells and whistles in the RV so we aren't uncomfortable but through a space heater would be in order.

I guess my main concern is about leaving it on at night when asleep? I would NEVER leave it on when not in the coach because of our fur and feather children.

I would like it to be quiet as well.

What is your experience with them.

Thanks in advance!
Happymi

[Happymi]

I have read the history on space heaters on iRV2.com.

There are many options to choose from but since the post is over a year old I was wondering if any of you have current information?

It's beginning to get cold here in Ma. and we will be here another month or so and was thinking about buying a ceramic space heater. We have all the bells and whistles in the RV so we aren't uncomfortable but through a space heater would be in order.

I guess my main concern is about leaving it on at night when asleep? I would NEVER leave it on when not in the coach because of our fur and feather children.

I would like it to be quiet as well.

What is your experience with them.

Thanks in advance!
Happymi

[John Hilley]

If you get the oil filled variety there is no noise and they tend to keep the heat on the floor longer providing a more comfortable heat. Oil filled heaters . The Lakewood baseboard heater would be a good choice. I have one and use it here in North Dakota to keep the motorhome above freezing.

[hamguy]

Oil bath heaters may produce nice heat but as far as the physics is concerned, the heat rises exactly the same as heat from any other source.

[John Hilley]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Oil bath heaters may produce nice heat but as far as the physics is concerned, the heat rises exactly the same as heat from any other source. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It may rise the same, but the oil heater mass radiates heat. There is a big difference in the perceived heat subjectively. It also retains heat rather than letting everything go to the ceiling immediately. They also tend to warm the floor and ceiling adjacent to them thru radiation.

[hamguy]

OK, I agree with that analysis.

[TXiceman]

But when you get down tot he bare bones, 1500 watts is still only 1500 watts of heat, whether it from a radiant element of an "oil heater". Both a a resistive heating element. You can neither create nor destroy energy.

The air movement can cause you to perceive the heat differently. We have used both types and I still prefer the small ceramic cube style with the fan.

Ken

[hamguy]

I suspect the oil bath type is slightly more efficient than the ceramic heater type. I think the coil does glow and as such some enercy is wasted in light. The oil emersible is in contact w/ the oil and supposedly all the energy is converted to heat.

Just a uess on my part and I don't think there is much difference.

[Groveite]

I used an oil filled heater when we lived in our TT while building....we had 30 amp and thus I found it handy to run at about 900 or 1200 watts. It was slow but steady. The built in thermostat was not very accurate so I made a 14/2 extension cord about 5 feet long with an in line single pole thermostat that I kept drapedon the back of the couch and the temp was consistent until we had some near zero temps.....the furnace was needed. Upside = they are quiet...downside= they are slow and take up much more floor space. I still prefer it to the fan forced ones for long term use.
Ian

[John Hilley]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I used an oil filled heater when we lived in our TT while building....we had 30 amp and thus I found it handy to run at about 900 or 1200 watts. It was slow but steady. The built in thermostat was not very accurate so I made a 14/2 extension cord about 5 feet long with an in line single pole thermostat that I kept drapedon the back of the couch and the temp was consistent until we had some near zero temps.....the furnace was needed. Upside = they are quiet...downside= they are slow and take up much more floor space. I still prefer it to the fan forced ones for long term use.
Ian </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is pretty much my experience. I don't worry about the thermostat, I leave it on full. I get a consistent 29 degree increase in my 35' motorhome over outside ambient temperature. So at zero I have about 29 degrees in the motorhome. During the day it gets quite a bit warmer with the sun shinning thru the windows.