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Maddawg46 · 10-11-2016, 10:04 PM

Have a new Bay Star. I have been informed to by a space heater and use in RV parks to conserve propane. I think the one my wife has in her craft room is 1500 watts. What AC outlets are appropriate. So, what are the amp ratings of the AC outlets in the motorhome?
Anything I should know. I don't plan on using it when we are sleeping. Any recommendations on a new one?

powercat_ras · 10-11-2016, 10:16 PM

1,500 Watts is 12.5 Amps which is 80 percent of the capacity of a 15 Amp branch circuit. The main issue can be if there is any loose or poor connection on that branch circuit it may cause something to overheat and fail. You can see many threads on IRV2 of this happening. The way to address this issue is to measure the voltage at the outlet you plug the heater with the heater on and off. If the voltage drops more than 2-3 volts when the heater goes on then you may have a problem to trouble shoot to avoid future trouble. If there is 5 volts or more drop then there is an issue that needs to be resolved before using the heater on that outlet. My two cents.

Old-Biscuit · 10-11-2016, 10:19 PM

RV 120V AC outlets just like S&B have 15A Circuit Breakers

1500W space heater will draw 12.5A on 120V AC (the lower the AC Voltage is the higher the amp draw will be)

Outlets are daisy chained......many on same circuit. So exceeding CB rating is easy if other items are plugged in and being used at same time

Skip426 · 10-11-2016, 10:31 PM

You'll want to make sure , by mapping all the circuits in your coach, that you're not on the same circuit as another high amp draw item ; coffee maker, hair dryer , etc. if using the heater on high , you'll trip the circuit breaker.
Using at med., 1,000 watt setting you have some wiggle room as to other items on the circuit.
I use a heater at the med setting whenever necessary all winter , and have yet to trip a C/B. at night on low .

azmaddog · 10-11-2016, 10:31 PM

I use two 1500W ceramic heaters on separate circuts. Did do a thorough electrical check on each circuit like what was recommended. And I run em all night with no problem. BTW, where I'm at, I can run both of mine on low heat and still maintain a reasonable 75 degrees inside.

vsheetz · 10-11-2016, 11:49 PM

We also often operate two electric heaters. A table top one in the bedroom. A floor one in the main living area. These are two differing circuits. Often they provide enough heat on low or medium setting. We will run them through the night.

BTW - a good down comforter on the best is one of the best ways to minimize heating needs.

I also had a TT in which all the outlets were on one circuit. There was a separate dedicated circuit for the outlet inside a cabinet that was where the microwave was plugged into. I would plug a heater into that outlet.

Maddawg46 · 10-11-2016, 11:51 PM

Nothing is easy anymore. I'll have to check my Newmar books to see if they have a schematic. If not I assume they will send me one.

vsheetz · 10-11-2016, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddawg46

Nothing is easy anymore. I'll have to check my Newmar books to see if they have a schematic. If not I assume they will send me one.

Just use something, most anything, that you can moved from outlet to outlet. Like a table lamp. Drop circuit breakers and see which outlets are together.

conlar318 · 10-12-2016, 06:35 AM

DW used her 1500w hair dryer on an outlet tied to the 600w inverter. Although we were on shore power, this blew a breaker and all the outlets tied to the inverter quit working. Finally located the breaker on the inverter with help from this forum. It's a small rocker type breaker.

twojayhawks · 10-12-2016, 08:05 AM

I am also a sucker for electric heat to conserve propane. Current coach has some built in electric options (heat pumps, fireplace, heated tile) to conserve.
But anyway we used portable electric heaters for many years and I much prefer the quietness over the noise of a furnace. Only recommendation on what to shop for is to get the cheapest and smallest you can find. There is just no good reason to over spend and you want small as it will be easier to stow.

Bobb.25 · 10-12-2016, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Just use something, most anything, that you can moved from outlet to outlet. Like a table lamp. Drop circuit breakers and see which outlets are together.

Vince, I like to use a plug in AC powered radio. When the music stops...you've found the right breaker.
Bob

Jim_L · 10-12-2016, 08:34 AM

Maddawg - my experience with electric heaters has been with a coach that had a mod sine wave inverter. I never used the heater unless I was plugged into shore power. Where I messed up was leaving it turned off and plugged in when not on short power. It appears those electric heaters typically do not like mod sine wave inverters, even when the heater is turned off. I destroyed two before finding that out. If you have an inverter, UNPLUG the heater before unhooking the shore power and I think you will be fine.

HavingABlast · 10-12-2016, 09:40 AM

I added a special during our build process. I had Newmar install a dedicated circuit, non-inverted outlet to our bedroom. I plug in a small electric heater into that outlet as needed when on shore power. I purchased the Dyson hot/cold fan. It is whisper quiet. I can move hot or cold (ambient) air as needed.

Polyian · 10-12-2016, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddawg46

Have a new Bay Star. I have been informed to by a space heater and use in RV parks to conserve propane. I think the one my wife has in her craft room is 1500 watts. What AC outlets are appropriate. So, what are the amp ratings of the AC outlets in the motorhome?
Anything I should know. I don't plan on using it when we are sleeping. Any recommendations on a new one?

Maddawg...I have used my heater in various locations in our Baystar..never tripped a breaker. I normally have it set to low (around 68F) and it keeps the whole coach warm all night. We have dual pane windows but it still helps to have all the shades down to avoid heat loss through the glass.

After moving the heater to several locations I plugged a heavy duty extension into the outlet behind the sofa-bed, the one normally used to blow up the mattress and ran that extension behind and out the side of the sofa behind the pilots seat...I use that regularly plug now. If we need a quick blast of warm up in the morning I use the furnace then revert back to the space heater to maintain heat all day.