Community Forums

Todd157k · 02-09-2015, 10:19 PM

I'm thinking of putting in an electric fireplace in the cabinet area under the t.v. Looks like most of them are around 1500 watt.
Just wondering if anyone has done this.. and if so, some pictures of the installation.

RWeigant · 02-09-2015, 10:31 PM

That's where I put mine. Buy the way, 1500 watts is the lament mater what you pay. I'd put a picture if I could figure how to do it. Under my TV was a power outlet that I plugged it into. After taking out the two doors, I had to remove the center section of the opening and enlarger the area enough to get the fireplace to fit.

austx · 02-09-2015, 11:24 PM

I would be careful of putting it to close to your dinette booth because they can put out quite a bit of heat. We have one under our TV but we have a table and chairs.

Mr_D · 02-09-2015, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austx

I would be careful of putting it to close to your dinette booth because they can put out quite a bit of heat. We have one under our TV but we have a table and chairs.

Yep, I was thinking that too!

Todd157k · 02-10-2015, 09:30 PM

Good point. I'll make sure it's far enough away... or on low heat only. Most of the small units have two settings.

jarwiebe · 02-10-2015, 10:17 PM

Seeing as it will be blocked with the slide in, is there any concern that it may be heating when plugged into shore power with slide in? Would a micro switch which was tripped be the slide be a safety consideration that should be considered?

PeaceOwl · 02-10-2015, 10:55 PM

The "on" button for ours is unreachable when slide is in, and buried where the slide can't touch it. Good way to keep from making a mistake and leaving it on. It also has a remote. I don't see it as a danger. We use it a lot. But when we are cooking and using a lot of power I turn it off. We don't have anything quite as close as your dining set. Basically it's about as warm as a blow dryer, lol.

austx · 02-11-2015, 02:41 AM

We have two that came with our Meridian. They both have a temperature setting that can be set with a remote or touch screen or we can just use them for the ambience. One is in the bedroom and the other in the living area; both are under the TV's. They can heat the coach; in fact, we use them instead of turning on the heat. We absolutely LOVE them!

Dutch Star Don · 02-11-2015, 08:14 AM

"Todd157K".....Our coach came with one and we wondered how much we would use it. My wife liked the looks of it, when on, but I really like how it quickly heats the front of the coach. We used to have a small portable heater we always pulled out and set on the floor, then spent half the time moving it around or tripping over it.

Ours has two heat settings and multiple settings for how the fire looks. I think you'll be fine with the dinette, because most of the units only produce heat at the top three inches, which will be above your cushions.

In your photo it looks like the slide is all the way out. Is that panel behind the dinette arm a dead panel? Do you access storage in that last panel from the ones not blocked by the dinette arm? If so, will you lose that storage or is it a dead area?

D Lindy · 02-11-2015, 08:41 AM

One point not mentioned is that you'll need a separate 15amp power source for the fireplace due to the amperage the unit will pull. If the fireplace was an option available on your unit from the factory it might be pre-wired so no issue.

Todd157k · 02-11-2015, 09:32 AM

Don.. yes, it's a dead panel and yes, I'll loose that little bit of storage. No biggy.
Jarwiebe.. I planned on a switch setup, but thanks for bringing it up anyway.
D Lindy.. I was going to run the a/c line dedicated back to the breaker panel. I figured it was the safest way to run it.

I bought the unit yesterday and should get it next week. I plan on bricking the front of the "fireplace" area with some 'faux' brick. I'll post pictures of the project. If anyone has more tips.. I'm open to hear them!

Scarab0088 · 02-11-2015, 10:03 AM

We did this mod a long time ago. Saw one in a big 5er and really wanted it.
Name: 1021121435.jpg
Views: 1281
Size: 17.7 KB

Name: 1021121434.jpg
Views: 1238
Size: 17.6 KB

Name: 1021121444.jpg
Views: 1312
Size: 20.6 KB

The fireplace is 110VAC only, has 4 heat settings (cool, low, med, high) and 7 light settings with a remote (can be used as a night light) using only 2 small bulbs.
The TV is a swapped bigger unit from OEM too and is on a standard swivel mount (the removable top strap is just for extra safety).
Fireplace source is provided here (I am not affiliated): http://www.irv2.com/forums/f121/outl...ml#post1830985
This design has only 1 moving part for the "flame effect lighting" and does not make any noise with driving movement.

There's another here:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f121/outl...ml#post1663495

Safe travels

mel s · 02-11-2015, 10:31 AM

IMO, an electric fireplace is nothing more than a a fake fireplace...(personally, I have a lot of other ways to waste my time and $$).
However, if an expensive fake fireplace that eliminates storage space and heats no better than a $20 1500 watt space heater, "trips your trigger" go for it.
Mel
'96 Safari

530ktm · 02-11-2015, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

IMO, an electric fireplace is nothing more than a a fake fireplace...(personally, I have a lot of other ways to waste my time and $$).
However, if an expensive fake fireplace that eliminates storage space and heats no better than a $20 1500 watt space heater, "trips your trigger" go for it.
Mel
'96 Safari

You are correct, an electric fireplace is an artificial fireplace. I can not imagine having a wood burning fireplace in an RV. I myself like the idea and they look very nice for some ambiance as well as a source of heat other than a little space heater sitting on the floor.