Community Forums

HR5thWl · 10-03-2012, 10:52 AM

It's wintertime here and we've been researching supplemental heat for our propane system. We've been told how wonderful IR heaters work but I thought it a good idea to get some opinions from knowledgeable fellow RV'ers. We do have a problem with moisture from the stove and shower of course and was wondering what type of heater helps with this as well. Anyone have suggestions or opinions about what works best for you?

JohnBoyToo · 10-03-2012, 12:43 PM

have a large IR heater, but we didn't like it... (well, my wife didn't like it, so....

)
when I offered a different opinion, I got the typical blonde logic

so when we need more than the electric fireplace (not often in Texus!) and don't want to use the furnace,
We have a few small ceramic heaters we've had great service out of...

BCooke · 10-03-2012, 12:58 PM

Ceramic here, the IR are designed to heat things not the air. With a small heater I think we get a heat that feels better from the ceramic.

EngineerMike · 10-03-2012, 01:44 PM

Ceramic for sure. We've carried one for years; added a second after a real cold spell. Hardly ever need to run the coach furnace.
On low speed they are really quiet.
When nights are cold enough we set the thermostat on it low and put it in the living room and don't even notice the fan noise.
Also carry electric blanket which for us will run off inverter when boondocking.

In the dead of a cold winter night, it would be nice to have a heated toilet seat. Hmmmmmmm........

Bruce C · 10-03-2012, 02:26 PM

I have both ceramic in the bed room and a large IR in the living room. Prefer the ceramic heaters.

HR5thWl · 10-03-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCooke

Ceramic here, the IR are designed to heat things not the air. With a small heater I think we get a heat that feels better from the ceramic.

I've read that as well. We full time and need something that works well and is cost efficient.

6mm · 10-03-2012, 02:46 PM

The IR ceramic heaters you are talking about are they propane or electric?????????
Thanks

BCooke · 10-03-2012, 03:44 PM

Mine is electric.

mikell · 10-04-2012, 08:11 AM

We use a oil filled radiator type that is warm all the time and silent. We also put a pan of water on it for mointure

JohnBoyToo · 10-04-2012, 08:52 AM

Hey, we used to do that on space heaters too

but the dog kept burning his feet jumping up to get a drink !!!!

Paw John · 10-05-2012, 01:59 PM

HR5thWL

I was using two small electric and one oil radiator heater while camping. I now added the Cheap Heat System to my Gas Heater and for the last two years been very satisfied with it. It does cost but it's very safe and it uses the exsisting duct work. I even added an extra duct to heat the underbelly water tanks and water lines. I know this can not be used while boomdocking but I'm not at that time of my life yet. You can read up on it at rvcomfortsystems.com and you can now install them yourself. This will save you about $500.00 to 700.00 dollars.

HR5thWl · 10-05-2012, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paw John

HR5thWL

I was using two small electric and one oil radiator heater while camping. I now added the Cheap Heat System to my Gas Heater and for the last two years been very satisfied with it. It does cost but it's very safe and it uses the exsisting duct work. I even added an extra duct to heat the underbelly water tanks and water lines. I know this can not be used while boomdocking but I'm not at that time of my life yet. You can read up on it at rvcomfortsystems.com and you can now install them yourself. This will save you about $500.00 to 700.00 dollars.

I read the thread where you were talking about that system. Looked interesting.

wa8yxm · 10-06-2012, 09:14 AM

There are two kinds of I/R heaters now days, The concept of the original I/R heaters is they heat YOU directly, not so much the air around you, We used to use an I/R flood light over the sink in the milk house down on the farm in the winter. Was kind of nice. However if you shine the I/R light on say,, the wall, or carpet or whatever remains when you walk out of the room, or even you when in the room, then YOU or It heats the air so the short term effect is more "Warmth" but the long term effect is the same as any other heater.

The new quartz I/R heaters use I/R light to heat a heat exchanger inside a very expensive box and then blow air over it,,, Total marketing ploy, no value at all save they do work as well as any other heater. NO BETTER (Well they are better at flattening your wallet)

ALL electric heaters have one thing in common.. They are the most unique of electrical/electronic devices in that they are 100% efficient. All are equally efficient. Here is why.

Any loss in an electrical system becomes heat, And heat is the desired product.

Thus Quartz, I/R, Ceramic, Hot wire all will produce the exact same amount of heat per KWH.

Page 2: Least someone yammer about the fan in a fan forced one.. Losses in the motor become heat, and as the moving air rubs against other things, (Even other air) Friction generates heat (else the air would blow for ever non-stop).

And for those who yammer about radiated light.. See the comments on I/R radiant heat above,, When it hits the walls, floor you etc, it becomes heat as well.

So it's all heat.

Only issue is this: Motor home wiring may be a bit anemic for a 1500 watt heater, Should be OK at 1,000 but I used to get very strong "Hot wire" smell when using a 1500 hear, I finally installed a pair of dedicated 15/20 amp outlets, Each of these outlets are hooked via 12ga wire which is stripped and bent around a screw back to it's own breaker (one per outlet) nothing else on that line. NO problems at all with those puppies,, One breaker is 15 amp (Since that's what was free) the other is 20. (Since it's 12ga wire and a 20 amp duplex recpiticial) Very happy with them.