Since the 30BHS doesn't have the nice fireplace, I've been giving a good bit of thought to space heaters. There are whole threads about which space heater is best and being careful using them elsewhere, but I'm for figuring out how to safely use one and NOT overload the camper's total load / throw breakers constantly. Has anyone else considered installing a dedicated outlet (probably under the dinette) and run a separate heavy gauge extension cord from the pedestal when connecting? The regular 50A would run the rest of the camper and the space heater could connect to its own dedicated circuit? Or am I overthinking this...like I tend to do 🤷♂️
Heater
- Thread starter Erik
- Start date
Meanjean73
Well-known member
I would think a dedicated circuit with a household grade outlet would be best. You see all the horror stories about space heaters, I’m guilty of using them in my past rvs and never had a problem.
We use one via the kitchen island outlet. It will be fine, as long as you don't put another high load item on the circuit.
George
Well-known member
For an extra level of safety use it a lower wattage setting (not temperature setting) than the full 1500W. Many heaters have a low and high setting alongside the thermostat. The National Electrical Code (NEC) recommends using only 80% of a circuit’s capacity for continuous loads (3 hours). 80% of 15 amps equals 12 amps, or 1440 watts.
Our camper was dish washer prepped. We don't have a dishwasher so I extended that outlet to the island wall and use that for the heater. But it doesn't have to be a hard-wired dedicated circuit as long as you only use the one outlet on that circuit for the heater.
Our camper was dish washer prepped. We don't have a dishwasher so I extended that outlet to the island wall and use that for the heater. But it doesn't have to be a hard-wired dedicated circuit as long as you only use the one outlet on that circuit for the heater.
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I have the ability to run 3 space heaters plus fireplace I consider the furnace as backup heat.
Beware my dishwasher circuit is connected to my fireplace circuit via a power sharing box/circuit.
I did not use it for space heater because I don't want fireplace and space heater on same circuit.
I also did not want space heater on kitchen island circuit. I do not want toaster,coffee maker on same circuit as space heater.
With all that in mind I have dedicated circuit at island, I have dedicated circuit at entry door. Lastly I turned dryer outlet around to face bedroom and use the circuit for bedroom heater. I do not have heaters on extension cords.
I have heat storm heater mounted to table side of kitchen Island plugged into dedicated circuit.
I have oil filled radiator at entry door and in bedroom.
50 amp circuit is 12,000 watts and can supply power to all heaters.
I seldom run all 4 at full power simply because I don't need to, but 50 amp circuit can handle it. No need to run an auxiliary line to pedestal.
I do have an auxiliary line hooked via transfer switch on my bedroom A/C that allows me to run 2 A/C's if I'm on a 30 amp site without issue by plugging into the 20 amp outlet at pedestal. Without using additional 20 amp circuit I have found running 2 A/C 's on 30 amp site is sketchy with low voltage issues.
Back to space heaters, I have been able to run my heaters without issue. Yes I'm keep an eye on voltages and making sure cords are not getting hot. I camp from March to November Lots of cold weather experience but generally the worst temps I see are in the low 20sºF
Heat Storm Heater
Beware my dishwasher circuit is connected to my fireplace circuit via a power sharing box/circuit.
I did not use it for space heater because I don't want fireplace and space heater on same circuit.
I also did not want space heater on kitchen island circuit. I do not want toaster,coffee maker on same circuit as space heater.
With all that in mind I have dedicated circuit at island, I have dedicated circuit at entry door. Lastly I turned dryer outlet around to face bedroom and use the circuit for bedroom heater. I do not have heaters on extension cords.
I have heat storm heater mounted to table side of kitchen Island plugged into dedicated circuit.
I have oil filled radiator at entry door and in bedroom.
50 amp circuit is 12,000 watts and can supply power to all heaters.
I seldom run all 4 at full power simply because I don't need to, but 50 amp circuit can handle it. No need to run an auxiliary line to pedestal.
I do have an auxiliary line hooked via transfer switch on my bedroom A/C that allows me to run 2 A/C's if I'm on a 30 amp site without issue by plugging into the 20 amp outlet at pedestal. Without using additional 20 amp circuit I have found running 2 A/C 's on 30 amp site is sketchy with low voltage issues.
Back to space heaters, I have been able to run my heaters without issue. Yes I'm keep an eye on voltages and making sure cords are not getting hot. I camp from March to November Lots of cold weather experience but generally the worst temps I see are in the low 20sºF
Heat Storm Heater
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