Community Forums

WV Bum · 01-23-2020, 05:19 PM

What is the portable electric heater that puts out the most heat. Would be using in class B so it can’t be large.

Unplanned Tourist · 01-23-2020, 05:34 PM

We use a small ceramic "brick" style. Get one with a thermostat, rather than just on, low and high.

Heat output is measured in wattage, so look for the highest wattage you can run.

Usually 1500 watts is max, but there are a few 1750's out there.

Happy Glamping.

foundwaldo · 01-23-2020, 05:38 PM

We bought this one it works really well. Has 2 settings low uses less wattage. Also it has a temp control so when it reaches a certain temp it shuts off automatically and turns back on. Also has auto off if tipped over. Puts out heat all the way around.

https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HHF.../dp/B00VV156LA

TXiceman · 01-23-2020, 06:48 PM

On a 15 amp circuit, the most you can run is 1500 Watts or about 5100 BTUH.

Remember Volts x Amps = Watts

Ken

Unplanned Tourist · 01-23-2020, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

On a 15 amp circuit, the most you can run is 1500 Watts or about 5100 BTUH.

Remember Volts x Amps = Watts

Ken

15 amps times 120 volts was 1800 watts when I went to school, but who knows now with that new math?

Happy Glamping.

twinboat · 01-24-2020, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned

15 amps times 120 volts was 1800 watts when I went to school, but who knows now with that new math?

Happy Glamping.

Yes but then the contionuous load rule of circuit breakers comes into play.

With a contionuous load, you should only draw 80% of the breakers rating.

https://www.ecmweb.com/basics/articl...ircuit-breaker

I suck at math but it probably works out to about 1500 watts.

IC2 · 01-24-2020, 05:27 AM

Virtually any of the small ceramic heaters will work just fine in a Class B. Stick with a nationally known brand, look at on line reviews and you should be good. Multi heat settings, a thermostat and a tip over switch are also a necessity in that small area. I usually like a Lasko for basic heaters though we have a couple low buck heaters from Tractor Supply for those cool mornings in our 5er. They have been dependable as well as quiet plus don't have electronic controls that we have found tend to quit at the wrong time.

Some folks like oil filled heaters as they do give out a nice steady heat. My concern is that a leak could be a nasty cleanup in any RV plus they are pretty large which can be tough to store.

KanzKran · 01-24-2020, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

I suck at math but it probably works out to about 1500 watts.

My slide rule says 1440W at 80% of 15A @ 120V. But I haven't had New Math since they tried it in the 60's.

OP - Watts is watts; they're all 100% efficient in that all the energy through the wires turns to heat, even the little motor (if it has one) that makes heat and moves air. Friction stops the air movement eventually, and that means heat.

So shop by size, wattage, sound level, appearance, and safety features, especially overheat protection and tip-over shut off. And test the tip-over shut off feature to make sure it works. Some have a button on the bottom that opens a switch when it's not pushed in, and others have a pendulum type switch activation. Probably don't want to test the overheat function, though.

aether_one · 01-24-2020, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

On a 15 amp circuit, the most you can run is 1500 Watts or about 5100 BTUH.

Remember Volts x Amps = Watts

Ken

Except in the AC world it is Volts x Amps = VoltAmps (VA)
Volts x Amps x PowerFactor (PF) = Watts
But the PowerFactor for a resistive heater is pretty close to 1 so in that case WATTS = VA

larliebler · 01-24-2020, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV Bum

What is the portable electric heater that puts out the most heat. Would be using in class B so it can’t be large.

We used several 1500 watt ceramic heaters when we lived in Denver. They were small, had 2 or 3 settings and tip over and overheat protection like the home choice one on Amazon.

HOME_CHOICE Small Ceramic Space Heater Electric Portable Heater Fan for Home Dorm Office Desktop and kitchen with Adjustable Thermostat,ETL Listed for Safe Use (Silver)
by HOME_CHOICE

George Schweikle · 01-24-2020, 01:30 PM

It's nice to see that someone else knows this. Also, the UL calibration of the breaker is at 90 F above ambient temperature. At temperatures above this, the breaker can correctly trip at less than 80% of it's handle rating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Yes but then the continuous load rule of circuit breakers comes into play.

With a continuous load, you should only draw 80% of the breakers rating.

https://www.ecmweb.com/basics/articl...ircuit-breaker

I suck at math but it probably works out to about 1500 watts.

J Birder · 01-24-2020, 02:00 PM

Asking what is the portable electric heater that puts out the most heat, is like asking what barbell is the heaviest.

the answers are every 100 lb. barbell weighs the same as every other 100 lb barbell, and every 1500 watt heater puts out the same amount of heat as every other 1500 watt heater.

The electric heater is the only electric device device that is 100% efficient. There are no losses. Every single watt of electricity is converted to heat.

However, you should understand that "heat" and "temperature" are not the same thing. Not all of heaters emit heat at the same temperature. A small 1500 watt heater, with a low mass heating element will operate at a much higher temperature than will a large 1500 watt heater with a high mass element.

The larger heaters are inherently safer. Many of them never get hot enough to ignite paper. However, if you are careful with them, that may not be an issue.

Although not what you asked. on some heaters, the fan can be loud enough to make sleep difficult for some people.

Joel