Electric Fireplaces

[GraciesMom]

If you own a newer RV or have looked at newer models, you've seen the "built in fireplaces" that are so warm and cozy. I bought one of those nice little "fireplaces" from Home Depot to use last winter. The ambience of the 'flames' was really cozy and it kept the entire rig completely warm. It had a thermostat and a remote control so if it got too warm or too cold, I could turn it on or off from the bedroom without having to get up and walk to the living area. You plugged the heater into the remote control box and plugged the remote control box into the outlet. I'm redoing the floor in the RV, so I pulled it out from underneath the dinette where I had it stored and was going to unplug it from the remote box and keep the remote box in a drawer. And I couldn't get the plug to come out of the remote box. It had gotten so hot, it had melted to the remote box. I had to sit down I was so shaken up by the images of my RV going up in flames!! I LOVE this heater. I'm going to take it to an electronics repair place to have them check it out. I don't know if it just overheated from useage (I did use it a LOT) or if there's something wrong with it but I want to find out. I'm hoping whatever is wrong can be repaired because it really added a lot to the RV this past winter.

[GraciesMom]

If you own a newer RV or have looked at newer models, you've seen the "built in fireplaces" that are so warm and cozy. I bought one of those nice little "fireplaces" from Home Depot to use last winter. The ambience of the 'flames' was really cozy and it kept the entire rig completely warm. It had a thermostat and a remote control so if it got too warm or too cold, I could turn it on or off from the bedroom without having to get up and walk to the living area. You plugged the heater into the remote control box and plugged the remote control box into the outlet. I'm redoing the floor in the RV, so I pulled it out from underneath the dinette where I had it stored and was going to unplug it from the remote box and keep the remote box in a drawer. And I couldn't get the plug to come out of the remote box. It had gotten so hot, it had melted to the remote box. I had to sit down I was so shaken up by the images of my RV going up in flames!! I LOVE this heater. I'm going to take it to an electronics repair place to have them check it out. I don't know if it just overheated from useage (I did use it a LOT) or if there's something wrong with it but I want to find out. I'm hoping whatever is wrong can be repaired because it really added a lot to the RV this past winter.

[SeeTheUSA]

You are so right about the new models --- we saw MANY fireplaces yesterday in the rigs at the Dallas RV Show. Some looked to be an integral part of the overall design, but some looked like mere afterthought.

Now if you could just roast marshmallows in them!

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GraciesMom:
If you own a newer RV or have looked at newer models, you've seen the "built in fireplaces" that are so warm and cozy. I bought one of those nice little "fireplaces" from Home Depot to use last winter. The ambience of the 'flames' was really cozy and it kept the entire rig completely warm. It had a thermostat and a remote control so if it got too warm or too cold, I could turn it on or off from the bedroom without having to get up and walk to the living area. You plugged the heater into the remote control box and plugged the remote control box into the outlet. I'm redoing the floor in the RV, so I pulled it out from underneath the dinette where I had it stored and was going to unplug it from the remote box and keep the remote box in a drawer. And I couldn't get the plug to come out of the remote box. It had gotten so hot, it had melted to the remote box. I had to sit down I was so shaken up by the images of my RV going up in flames!! I LOVE this heater. I'm going to take it to an electronics repair place to have them check it out. I don't know if it just overheated from useage (I did use it a LOT) or if there's something wrong with it but I want to find out. I'm hoping whatever is wrong can be repaired because it really added a lot to the RV this past winter. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The remote control box could be a little undersized in it's capacity to run the fireplace for extended periods of time or it could simple be low campground voltage or the outlet that you had it plugged in to was not sufficient to carry the load without the circuit overheating. That is why many of us have AutoFormers installed in our rigs. They correct low voltage situations and help keep your electrical components running cooler.

Have the unit checked out but also verify the minimum electrical requirements for the outlet you plug it into. Consider an AutoFormer to help protect your wiring and electrical devices also.

[RV Wizard]

GraciesMom, was the heater UL approved? If not UL how about another consumer safety organization? Not all appliances or apparatuses are safety rated. Everyone should look for these identification tags or labels when purchasing items that could pose a danger.
If it does carry a listing, it could still have a flaw or pose a problem but usually they are much safer than those that are not.
I would guess that the connection was probably loose or the wire gage and connectors are not as large and conductive as should be for the total wattage over long periods of time.
Glad you found the problem and brought it to our attention. We are getting to that time of year that we need to be careful in heating our units. Thank you.

[GraciesMom]

It's UL approved and the remote device came with the heater. I'll report back after the electrician looks it over. And I will definitely look into getting an Autoformer. I just don't like running the furnace in the RV. I know it's silly, but it scares me to sleep with it on, so I usually run a heater at night. I have two smaller ceramic heaters and I would put one in the bedroom and one in the living area. But the big "fireplace" heated the whole unit so I used it all the time. I was in the pacific northwest this past winter so it was pretty cold. I don't plan on being in colder temps in the winter in the future so I won't be using ANY heater as much as I used that fireplace last winter. But I like the feeling of having it on when it's chilly in the evenings, snuggling up with a blanket and a good book. So I'm definitely going to get it checked out and keep it if possible. Thanks for the input.

[Lil'Darlin1972]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GraciesMom:
It's UL approved and the remote device came with the heater. I'll report back after the electrician looks it over. And I will definitely look into getting an Autoformer. I just don't like running the furnace in the RV. I know it's silly, but it scares me to sleep with it on, so I usually run a heater at night. I have two smaller ceramic heaters and I would put one in the bedroom and one in the living area. But the big "fireplace" heated the whole unit so I used it all the time. I was in the pacific northwest this past winter so it was pretty cold. I don't plan on being in colder temps in the winter in the future so I won't be using ANY heater as much as I used that fireplace last winter. But I like the feeling of having it on when it's chilly in the evenings, snuggling up with a blanket and a good book. So I'm definitely going to get it checked out and keep it if possible. Thanks for the input. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">I know how you feel. I love the ambiance of a fireplace. We don't like to sleep with the furnace on either because it is so LOUD We have a ceramic fan that heats the coach nicely. I'd love to have a fireplace in our next MH. </span>

[LVJ58]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If you own a newer RV or have looked at newer models, you've seen the "built in fireplaces" that are so warm and cozy. I bought one of those nice little "fireplaces" from Home Depot to use last winter. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Our 2000 Residency came with a fireplace located under the TV.

It had a lot to do with DW deciding that we should buy the coach--LOL

[Ray,IN]

As lildarlin aluded, the only valid reason not to run your propane furnace has nothing to do with safety. These units are designed and installed to operate safely for long periods in a RV. The stand-alone electric fireplace has obviously overloaded that circuit, and manifested itself at the remote receptacle. Most high-current draw appliances state in the instructions not the use an extension cord of any type for a very valid reason. FWIW, every electrical connection (plug-in) is a weak link in the transmission of electricity; the female plug end depends on spring pressure to make a tight contact with the prongs. Normal use, and heat from prolonged heavy current draw weaken the springs, creating a poor contact that causes even higher current draw.
Even our built-in electric fireplaces say not to operate them for extended periods in the owner's manual.

Glad you discovered the problem before it progressed further.

[GraciesMom]

I'm buying another, smaller one to just heat the living area when I'm in there and getting rid of the one with the "faulty" plug. Just not going to take any chances. I'll use my ceramic heater to heat the bedroom if it needs it at night. No need to heat the entire RV . . . the doggies sleep with me anyway. The little one will fit nicely underneath the new desk permanently - so I won't have to move it around.

[historyljc]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">That is why many of us have AutoFormers installed in our rigs. They correct low voltage situations and help keep your electrical components running cooler. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
GraciesMom, These aren't cheap, but they're cheaper than the electrical gadgets they keep from going bad. Another one of those like American Express items that I won't leave home without them.

[BHEMOTH]

We have a 2008 Diplomat SKQ, the fireplace came with the floorplan. We use it all the time and it is great. No negative issues whatsoever.

That said, we have checked with Monaco service before adding any after market enhancements to insure compatibility.

[MonacoMama]

My personal thought on this is there could be a chance the wattage/amps was underrated at the power source to handle the fireplace. I am not an electrician ..but I have gone through at times to try and figure out what I have plugged into a certain run in the rig so that I am not over-taxing it. I am sure that the circuits don't always blow when they should...

I feel the only way I am going to have one of those fireplaces in my rig is if it has been factory installed.
MM

[LVJ58]

They only use a maximum of 1,500 watts, same as the max output on those little ceramic heaters.