RE: Electric Blankets?

[sandykayak]

 
I ve pulled this from the heat strip thread.
 
 I d like some comments on electric blankets preferably with recommendations for specific brands and what the approx. costs are.
 
 I take so many blankets, sleeping bags, quilts etc. that I was wondering if an electric blankie would be good.   If I get one for each bed (3) would that overload the electric system?
 
 This past weekend there were 4 of us in the wee Jayco and when I turned the two electric fan heaters at 4 a.m. I blew a fuse.  I ve used two heaters in the past so I guess it was a reduced voltage thing at the CG

[Michicampers]

 sandykayak
I got a couple of heated mattress pads at JC Penney online a couple of weeks ago when they were on sale - I just checked and it looks like they aren t anymore [&:]. I thought they would be easier to deal with than electric blankets and I ll probably leave them on the bunks during cooler weather, with a fitted sheet over them to keep them clean, and sleeping bags on top of that. I ll let you know how well they worked in April, when we head out for the first time this year!

[Preacher]

 sandykayak
We have the electric mattress pads that we got from either Walmart or Target.  They work great!  I would highly recommend them.  The problem we had with the electric blanket is that the mattress would be cold and the covers would be warm.  The mattress pads solved the problem.  The heat rises from the mattress and is held in by the covers.  We have run two, one for each bed, at the same time with no problems.

[Camperroo]

 sandykayak
here s a stupid but serious question[]  if your little one climbs in with you and has an accident...could you get electrocuted?!

[dee106]

 sandykayak
hi sandy,
 A lot of us use electric blankets, I use it more to take the chill off the mattress and to warm it up, On the real cold nights we use a two sleeping bags I open them up like a comforters, put one under us and then i put the electric blanket then the top sleeping bag. when the bags are warm we shut off the blanket and climb in. We use a small cermeric heater to keep the chill down, and save on the propane, the propane heater kicks in when the inside temps goes below 55* electric blanket can cost, our queen size with dual controls, can cost up to $150.00 i got it on a close out sale for $70.00 when AMES went out of business.
 
 about the fan heaters, you have to watch how many watts you are using! and if you are using the a/c with heat strips thats also pull the watts /amps.
 
 easiest thing to do is:
 
 1) get yourself a heavy duty extention cord,(made for heaters)  run another line into the camper from the electric box outside, most boxes have two outlets on them.
 2) if you have a furance, keep it on 55, this way if the temp drops to low the furance kicks in to help, puts less stress on the electric heaters
 
 3) use the electric blankets to warm the beds, then shut them off or keep them on the lowest setting
 raise the thermostat  on you heater so they aren t running as long. make sure they are on two different circuits.
 
 4) a rug runner on the floor helps keep the unit warmer, and using the solar blankets on the bunk ends (outside) in the colder weather, also helps keeps the warmth in, and in the summer they keep the heat out.
 

[RamblingWreck]

 sandykayak
We were at an RV show last weekend and noticed that the Rockwood popups all had heated innerspring RV mattresses.  Suspect that they would work similar to the electric mattress pads others mentioned.  If they come standard on the Rockwoods I wouldn t think they draw too much current.  If you are not happy with comfort of your current mattress then heated innerspring RV mattresses might make an interesting upgrade.
 
 We have had several electric blankets.  We like the ones with dual controls best.  Always purchased them at Sears.  The winters are long in Connecticut and during the worst part there is next to no humidity.  So your skin gets really dry and flakey.  An electric blanket seems to make the problem worse.  We switched to down comforters.
 
 Rambling Wreck

[Miss-Teri]

 Camperroo
Hmmm...  Wonder if it says not to use with a waterbed, I ll have to check that.  I would think if you can use one with a waterbed, you could use one with a young child.  Interesting question.  Not sure I would want that on my death certificate.  
 " Killed by unpotty-trained child" [8D]

[Turn Key]

 sandykayak
Last fall I purchased what is called an electric throw, made by Sunbeam.  It has 3 settings and works very well.  Only costs $30 at Wal-Mart (Where else[]!) and it allows me to keep the heater turned down to where I m not being cooked.  Two happy campers!

[Wayfarer]

 sandykayak
In late January, in south Texas, I was camped at Brazos Bend SP SW of Houston when it got down to 23* at night.  The mattress was ice cold so I put a blanket on it then an electric blanket over that for about 30 minutes before going to bed.  Worked great.  I slept between the regular blanket and the electric blanket and was as snug as a bug in a PU.  Had two ceramic heaters going which kept things bearable outside the blankets.  Ran an extra extension, heavy duty, in from the electric box for one of the ceramics as the Coleman Utah wiring would not carry 2 heaters plus the blanket.  
 
 Maybe this is a bit more than just about the electric blanket, so to sum up found that the electric blanket worked great and suited me just fine.  Won t leave home without it!  As to brand and cost I have no idea because I ve had the thing, a single control regular size, for probably 20 years.
 
 Hope this helps[]