Insight on electric fireplace

[matthew6279]

I hope this is posted in the right area, I didn't really see another that fit. I am looking at adding an electric fireplace to my motorhome. I have a 2005 Dutchmen FourWinds M34. It's usually just my wife and I and I am thinking of removing the reclining chair and installing the fireplace in place. I also want to move the tv to on top of the fireplace. I have been looking around for mantels that match our cabinets and I'm not coming across much. What have others done when adding a fireplace? I was hoping to find a cabinet or tv stand, something along that line that I could fit the fireplace in and put the tv on top. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I have read quite a few threads on here but none that really answered my questions. Thanks in advance.

[matthew6279]

I apparently do not have a picture of the exact space of the chair, I thought I did. The chair is right there by the door. What is the wood on the cabinets and color?

[/URL][/IMG]

[beamisl]

Hi Matt,


I have never done this but if you can't find a matching wood go for a darker wood. I have bought electric fire places for home before and when looking some were quite noisy so make sure you turn it on before you buy.


Good luck and would love to see pictures when you get it done. Lynne

[IC2]

While others will probably disagree, IMO the perceived ambiance plus heat are just not worth the value of added storage or living space or loss thereof. Our 5er has a 'fireplace' and quite frankly, we would have preferred a bank of drawers or shelves as being more useful as a 20 buck space heater from TSC does a better job of taking the chill off - plus stores in less then a cubic foot of space when not being used. Also, if you don't have a 50 amp service, 1500 plus watts will eat up a bunch of your units potential (12 plus amps).

My suggestion - think it through very well first before you 'jump'.

Yes, darker graining would be a nice contrast if that's the way you 'jump' - ours is black and works color wise

[matthew6279]

Originally Posted by beamisl

Hi Matt,


I have never done this but if you can't find a matching wood go for a darker wood. I have bought electric fire places for home before and when looking some were quite noisy so make sure you turn it on before you buy.


Good luck and would love to see pictures when you get it done. Lynne

Thanks for the input. I'm sure I will not be able to match the wood perfectly but should be able to get close. Good tip on being able to turn it on. I have been looking at ordering online though and probably will not have the chance to test it but I will check on the return costs and procedures.

Originally Posted by IC2

While others will probably disagree, IMO the perceived ambiance plus heat are just not worth the value of added storage or living space or loss thereof. Our 5er has a 'fireplace' and quite frankly, we would have preferred a bank of drawers or shelves as being more useful as a 20 buck space heater from TSC does a better job of taking the chill off - plus stores in less then a cubic foot of space when not being used. Also, if you don't have a 50 amp service, 1500 plus watts will eat up a bunch of your units potential (12 plus amps).

My suggestion - think it through very well first before you 'jump'.

Yes, darker graining would be a nice contrast if that's the way you 'jump' - ours is black and works color wise

My wife and I have discussed this same thing. We rarely dry camp and so far have always had 50amp service access. We have only had the MH a few months but we are definitely not new to camping. We currently have so much space I don't know what to do with it all. We have several drawers and storage areas completely empty. We used to camp in a 32ft TT and even that we did not completely fill up. When we sold that we purchased a pop up so we learned to take only what we really needed. Now with this MH I have every piece of camping equipment I own in it with loads of storage left over. I'm sure that we will not be using the fireplace to heat the unit but I hope it can take the chill off and help save a bit of propane. Also we want to move the TV from above the cab to the mantel on the fireplace. The current location is not good for sitting on the couch and watching a movie. We plan to use a small portable heater like you mention to help heat the rear of the MH. I am also converting to LED bulbs and building a large amp hour battery group which will help with the power draw if we do temporarily dry camp. Thanks so much!!

[mel s]

Originally Posted by IC2

While others will probably disagree, IMO the perceived ambiance plus heat are just not worth the value of added storage or living space or loss thereof. Our 5er has a 'fireplace' and quite frankly, we would have preferred a bank of drawers or shelves as being more useful as a 20 buck space heater from TSC does a better job of taking the chill off - plus stores in less then a cubic foot of space when not being used. Also, if you don't have a 50 amp service, 1500 plus watts will eat up a bunch of your units potential (12 plus amps).
My suggestion - think it through very well first before you 'jump'.

I agree!
Since ANY $20 120VAC 1500 watt electric space heater will provide as much heat as any 120V electric fireplace... (no more no less)... I would only spend the extra $$ for an electric fireplace if I thought it was needed to "doll-up" the interior of my coach.
Mel
'96 Safari

[YC1]

Here is our fireplace below our tv. I love the fireplace. Keeps the feet cozy, is silent, and provides variable light level as needed.

The wood looks like ours. It is a basic cherry. Find your original spec sheet online and it should state the color names.

[dieselclacker]

We moved the overhead TV in our motorhome to the same location you are planning. We do not have the fireplace. The TV sits atop a small oak bathroom cabinet that I purchased and slightly modified. The TV location works really well, you will like it much better than the overhead. As for storage, I was able to purchase a matching door from our motorhome manufacturer, and made a nice place for storage in the former spot occupied by the TV. About the only loss was the use of the useless chair, and the view from the ill placed window that is now covered by the newly placed TV. I also kicked around installing an electric fireplace in place of the cabinet, it is still an option.
Good luck, and have fun doing your TV fireplace mod.

[IC2]

Originally Posted by mel s

I agree!
Since ANY $20 120VAC 1500 watt electric space heater will provide as much heat as any 120V electric fireplace... (no more no less)... I would only spend the extra $$ for an electric fireplace if I thought it was needed to "doll-up" the interior of my coach.
Mel
'96 Safari

Mel - To a point you are 100% correct in that 1500 watts of heat being produced through some nichrome resistance wire in one device will put out the same amount as any other. If our fireplace, which I believe is an RV 'standard' is any indicator, there are too many losses due to design, poor location or inefficient fans that waste the produced Btu's therefore is not as good as that low buck heater we use instead. The 'fireplace' still looks pretty, but more shelves or drawers make more sense to us - and as the OP noted, even ours are never full either.

The OP looks as though he has done his homework and probably going to do his desired mods - which is great. Post some photos when you are done

[530ktm]

I like the ambiance and heat from the fireplaces. I had kind of a wasted space under my credenza and modified this little thing to fit right in. When the tv comes up you can sit on the couch and have the fireplace and tv right in front of you. When not in use you just close the cabinet doors and it is gone.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by mel s

I agree!
Since ANY $20 120VAC 1500 watt electric space heater will provide as much heat as any 120V electric fireplace... (no more no less)... I would only spend the extra $$ for an electric fireplace if I thought it was needed to "doll-up" the interior of my coach.
Mel
'96 Safari

Been there done that. Our last 5er had 2 Dimplex fireplaces. Sure they provided ambiance and a soothing effect, but not as much heat as a small radiant heater sitting next to us. There is a risk of fire, as the fireplace plug is hidden behind the fireplace, and cannot be inspected occasionally for damage. Dimplex had some fires for that reason.
I would never intentionally buy one again.
The thin cabinets that hold a hidden flat-screen TV would fit behind that chair, you push a button, the TV comes up for viewing.

[Cat320]

We prefer portable heaters, we have two Laskos, they are cheaper, more flexible (put one in the bathroom where the shower is), put out the same amount of heat, and don't take up storage place. Ours go under the bed when not in use. Fire places look great...but that's about all.

[vsheetz]

We have a portable electric fireplace. Very much enjoy the ambiance it provides. The portability allows it to be moved closer to warm your feet better. (-:

It's not as good or well featured as other electric heaters we have. It's only one heat and one fan setting. No thermostat.

[SteveLevin]

I have a fireplace and agree with others that I wouldn't add one -- not only is the output poor, but the heat vents on mine, at least, are on top, meaning it's well off the ground, and heat rises. I'd build the cabinet frame but use a nice domestic space heater to throw heat at mah tootsies

Steve