electric heater...

[Bowfin]

We have a '98 Coleman Taos. It has air but no heat.

How well do the electric space heaters work to heat the PUP on cool nights?

We don't dry camp and will always have an electrical connection. I figure I can use the lo fan settign on the ac to move the warm air around the PUP.

The propane heaters scare me with the chance of CO poisoning, plus I'd rather not have any combustable liquids inside the camper like propane or kerosene. I've got a 6 yo and need something that he can't get his fingers in.

[dkutz]

We have a '98 Coleman Taos. It has air but no heat.

How well do the electric space heaters work to heat the PUP on cool nights?

We don't dry camp and will always have an electrical connection. I figure I can use the lo fan settign on the ac to move the warm air around the PUP.

The propane heaters scare me with the chance of CO poisoning, plus I'd rather not have any combustable liquids inside the camper like propane or kerosene. I've got a 6 yo and need something that he can't get his fingers in.

we used one on our first trip with the PUP which was in the snow.  It worked fine.  I would recommend one with a thermastat.  And probably try not to run it off the battery, it will kill it I assuume.

[AustinBoston]

How well do the electric space heaters work to heat the PUP on cool nights?

A typical pop-up furnace (built-in) will put out 3-4 times as much heat as a 1200-1500 watt electric heater.

I figure I can use the lo fan settign on the ac to move the warm air around the PUP.

The last time we used heat, I left the fan off.  I think the breeze created by the fan is more chilling than the fact that the heat is less effective at heating the bunk ends.

The propane heaters scare me with the chance of CO poisoning, plus I'd rather not have any combustable liquids inside the camper like propane or kerosene.

While I constantly harp on the dangers of CO poisoning, fire from propane heating devices is a much greater danger.

I've got a 6 yo and need something that he can't get his fingers in.

Good luck.  We've used cube heaters, and while it would be difficult for me to get my fingers into it, a 6 YO might succeed.  I don't know of a space heater that is safe from uncontrolled fingers.  Even if it were possible to use a grid that would keep fingers out, the grid itself would get hot.  It would also eventually clog, creating an overheat/fire risk.

At 6, most children can be taught not to stick their fingers or anything else in dangerous places.

Austin

[tlhdoc]

A small cube heater will work.  If it gets too cold for one heater to do the job, plug a second heater in to the 20 amp outlet that the AC plugs into.  That outlet is on a circuit by itself.  If you need to use a second heater and need to use both circuits in the PU for a heater and a microwave or other source that will draw a lot of power, you can run a heavy duty extension cord and plug the extension cord in at the electrical hookup.  If you run 2 heaters or 2 devices that draw a lot of power on the same circuit it will blow the fuse.

[CajunCamper]

We have used a small electric heater for years and it has worked fine. We have used it when outside temps were near freezing and with our sleeping bags we were very comfortable.

Some folks have told me that they have even used an electric blanket in their pop up.

Good luck

CajunCamper

[goforit75]

I used a electric heater with a fan this past weekend, outside temps where in the low 40's, but i was able to sleep comfortable in t-shirt and shorts, actually had to get up and turn the heater down as it got to warm.. I have no doubts the heater will work down into the 30's perhaps even colder.

[Bowfin]

At 6, most children can be taught not to stick their fingers or anything else in dangerous places.

Austin

They can, but that first lesson is a tuff one.

I don't expect to be camping in temps below 40 at night. My wife is a cold natured southern girl. When daytime temps get below 60, we'll probably put the camper up until springtime. Myself, I sleep better when it's cold at night. When I lived in Wisconsin, I used to sleep in the wintertime with my window open.

We just needed something compact that can take the chill out of the air at night. Glad to hear these heaters have worked for ya'll.

We plan to do our camping at State Parks, which offer 30 amp power, which is bwhy I'm looking at electric heat. My PUP didn't even come with a battery, though it is wired for one. My propane tank is only a 20lb and it's only connected to the little stove right now, so imagine a propane heater would suck it dry in no time.

[Kelly]

Some folks have told me that they have even used an electric blanket in their pop up.

I use an electric blanket in the pu when it's really cold.  I put it on the bunk my girls sleep in and then make the bed over it so they actually sleep on top of the blanket.  I get it really warm before they go to bed and turn it way down once they are asleep.

I also have a small electric heater and it really does take the chill out of the air.  I was pleasantly surprised!

[CajunCamper]

A CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please make sure when camping in the colder temps that you are prepared to stay warm if something goes wrong with the power at your campsite or your electric heater malfunctions.

When we are running our electric heater on cold nights we are usually able to sleep under a sheet and thin blanket, but once our heater decided to die on a trip while night time temps were in the upper 30's and if we hadn't had sleeping bags with us that were rated to handle those temps we would have been very uncomfortable.

So just make sure you are prepared.

CajunCamper

[zamboni]

We have a '98 Coleman Taos. It has air but no heat.

How well do the electric space heaters work to heat the PUP on cool nights?

One very smart option would be to install "Heat Strips" in your AC, presuming they are available for it.  I don't know of any units that don't, but you never know.

These are 1500-watt electric coils, and it runs your AC on "low fan" to warm the air, and then PUSH the air onto the bunks.

Note, many nay-sayers say they're horrible and COLD, but we've used them in our last PUP and new hybrid and are very happy.  Sure, to bare skin, the air FEELS colder than it would from a 1500-watt cube, but that is because it is much more of a volume of air.

The critical point is this: The strips are still INPUTTING 1500 watts of heat into your camper's air.  It has the SAME overall effect as a 1500-watt cube, but this will push the air into the bunks rather than keeping the air in the middle of the camper.  Using our heat strips, we never have condensation inside our bunks

The propane heaters scare me with the chance of CO poisoning, plus I'd rather not have any combustable liquids inside the camper like propane or kerosene. I've got a 6 yo and need something that he can't get his fingers in.

Well, propane and CO2 are both heavier than air, so any leak of either would remain at floor level... where your camper has a CO2 detector!  I guess you wouldn't like the other item we use for dry camping in winter - a propane "Mr Buddy", flaming away, sitting in the middle of our camper.  Once, even on the bunk (on a large sheet of wood to keep it rock stable).  We've tested the Mr Buddy, and it instantly shuts off if it tips, and it will NOT start (or, the flame goes out) when it detects CO2 in the camper -- and it is so sensitive that it will not work even when our camper's CO2 detector is "happy".

I'd venture that you may be about equally or more likely to have a fire due to electrical problems than with your propane system.  Shorted out wires cause a large amount of fires.

[zamboni]

I use an electric blanket in the pu when it's really cold.  I put it on the bunk my girls sleep in and then make the bed over it so they actually sleep on top of the blanket.

I would advise against this.  Electric blankets are made and wired differently from electric pads.  Every one I have seen has contained the warning NOT to sleep on top of it - the extra weight on top can short out the wires, causing a fire.  Very dangerous, and has caused fires and deaths.

http://www.fairfaxva.gov/firesafety/ElectricBlanketSafety.asp
"Do not sit or lay on top of an electric blanket; this may damage the blanket

[AustinBoston]

Here we go again...

The propane heaters scare me with the chance of CO poisoning, plus I'd rather not have any combustable liquids inside the camper like propane or kerosene. I've got a 6 yo and need something that he can't get his fingers in.

Then in reply:

Well, propane and CO2 are both heavier than air, so any leak of either would remain at floor level... where your camper has a CO2 detector!

I'll give you a million dollars if your camper has a CO2 detector.  :eyecrazy:   It may have a CO detector (most new RVs come with a CO detector), but a CO2 detector would be virtually pointless.  By the time dangerous levels of CO2 built up in your pop-up, you would already be dead from something else.

CO2 (a.k.a. carbon DIoxide) is a gas that has a fairly low toxicity.  We exhale it in every breath.  CO (a.k.a. carbon MONoxide) is a highly toxic and potentially deadly gas that is produced by incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons.

I guess you wouldn't like the other item we use for dry camping in winter - a propane "Mr Buddy", flaming away, sitting in the middle of our camper.  Once, even on the bunk (on a large sheet of wood to keep it rock stable).  We've tested the Mr Buddy, and it instantly shuts off if it tips, and it will NOT start (or, the flame goes out) when it detects CO2 in the camper -- and it is so sensitive that it will not work even when our camper's CO2 detector is "happy".

Again, I will give you a million dollars if you can document that your "Mr. Buddy" heater has a CO2 detector (or a CO detector).  It may have an oxygen depletion sensor (intended to prevent CO from forming in the first place) so your camper's CO detector won't go off unless your "Mr. Buddy" is malfunctioning.

CO = carbon monoxide = deadly => only comes from badly burning carbons/hydrocarbons

CO2 = carbon dioxide = takes a lot to do any harm => comes from every living thing (including those that absorb more CO2 than they give off)

It is an easy mistake to make, and I don't know any way to keep it straight except to memorize it.  I wish those who came up with the names of these two chemicals had given them highly divergent names.   (Names such as exhalut and toxium would be obvious, never get confused, and be easy to remember, but it's too late for that).

I'd venture that you may be about equally or more likely to have a fire due to electrical problems than with your propane system.  Shorted out wires cause a large amount of fires.

That's because there are hundreds of thousands of times as many houses with wires as there are houses with propane space heaters.

The real risk of fire with something like a Buddy Heater (and this is true of electric cubes as well) is of something coming in contact with the heater, not with the heater falling over.  

Think about it.  Which is more likely...someone knocking over a heater without knowing it (and the tipover switch failing) or a kid throwing a dirty sock at a sibling and having it end up in the heater?

Austin

[GeneF]

Just a couple of things:

If you get an electric heater, please look for the safety devices on the heater.  Ours will shut off automatically if knocked over and has a device on the front to remind you that the front can be hot.  A thermostatically controlled one is a nice thing.

An oscilating one will move the hot air around a bit better than a stationery one.

Also be aware that some private campgrounds may not let you use an electric heater or may charge you 2 to 4 dollars to use the electric heater.

[bpmacdthelake]

We have used one in our Coleman Bayside and it has worked well.  We have used the camper on Edisto Beach the third week in December for the past 2 years. but to be honest our camper does have a built in propane heater.

Be sure and follow the  heater instructions and get one with a tip switch.
The Lake

We have a '98 Coleman Taos. It has air but no heat.

How well do the electric space heaters work to heat the PUP on cool nights?

We don't dry camp and will always have an electrical connection. I figure I can use the lo fan settign on the ac to move the warm air around the PUP.

The propane heaters scare me with the chance of CO poisoning, plus I'd rather not have any combustable liquids inside the camper like propane or kerosene. I've got a 6 yo and need something that he can't get his fingers in.

[tlhdoc]

bpmacdthelake congratulations on your first post.  I hope you will post more, now that you have taken the plunge.