I am leaving my coach in Houston for the holidays for 10 days. Don't expect a hard freeze, but would like to keep a 100 watt bulb in the water and sewer bays. Has anyway hooked up a rheostat that will turn on light at 35 degrees and turn off at 40?
Since I am not sure if I am using the correct terms, advice is needed before heading to Radio Shack, etc.
As aways,
Thanks for the help.
A thermostatically controled switch.
A rheostat would just adjust the brightness/dimness.
See how great this forum is. Now I won't feel like a
complete jerk when I go looking (and have to return the wrong part)...of course 1,000 members now know...
Thanks, Pat
Even better than buying the wrong part ... Jeff has now capitulated to my request and we will leave the coach in Texas and fly home for the Holiday visit. I am SO relieved!! Did not relish the thought of narrow, hilly roads or a shaded state park campsite in the event of snow and/or sub-freezing weather. Thank you, Baby!!
I bought a couple at Ace Hardware, and I think I have seen them at Lowe's.
Matt B
Jeff, this might be a better than a 100 watt light bulb and safer.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51s9W6JH9FL.jpg (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51s9W6JH9FL.jpg)
I found it a WalMart. It is a Lasko Ceramic Heater called My Heat personal heater.
size is small only about 4" X 6" in size and has a 6 ft cord, also come in 4 different
colors. Price $14.00
Jeff, look on the bright side--you have just helped educate the 1000 members you mentioned!
Thanks both to Jimmy and nitehawk. Checked out Lasko heater and that looks like it will work just fine..
I bought three of the small Lasko ceramic heaters with thermostats. I packed two of them in the coach in case we want to use them on our trip to Missouri and Montana in December. With thermostat set low, I think they would be OK in the bays if they are placed properly. I will rely primarily on propane since it is designed to keep the coach and bays comfortable. I carry the electric heaters as a backup.
The third heater sits in my workshop near the motorcycle than doesn't have antifreeze (ethylene glycol is not allowed for my class at the track).
I have tested them briefly, but have not used them under "real life conditions."
We bought 4 of the $14, 200-watt, 2-amp 'personal heaters' to see if they work as well as our 100-watt bulbs. They seem to be safer and do not run as hot as our bulbs.
But the heaters we bought do not have a thermostat as JD found.
JD, did you buy 200-watt heaters? I saw 1,200 watt heaters with thermostats for $15, but not 200 watt units with thermostats.
.
I bought 700/1500 watt units with thermostats. We have a tall Lasko with thermostat, oscillation, digital display, and remote. We have used it inside the coach and been pleased. It will fit in the service entrance bay. I bought the compact units in case of a furnace malfunction or to supplement the propane system. We expect to experience lots of subfreezing temperatures and a few subzero periods during a three week trip starting next week. I have tried to include enough redundant systems to keep us comfortable and safe in case primary systems balk.
When not traveling, we keep our coach at home in a mild climate. It is plugged to 50A service and we keep the furnaces or air conditioning on to keep the temperature moderated.
A couple of days ago we had overnight temperatures around 28F. I found that the rear propane furnace easily kept the rear bays warm.
Thermo Cube might be of use in helping to control bay heating devices. Rated at 15 amps. Thermostat set to come on at 35 and go off at 45 degrees. Plug it into an outlet and the device into the Thermo Cube.
Bob,
I think if you use the thermo cube you need to plug it in on the opposite side of the bay from what ever you heat source is other wise it will be turning on and off to often.
Picture a light bulb plugged into the thermo cube, at 35 degrees it will turn on the bulb,
in just a few minutes the bulb will have that area to 45 degrees and turn it off. You will never have it on long enough to heat up the area in the bay.
I rent out a house and have had tenants burn up several ceramic heaters, various brands. I can't exactly call them safe. They get to hot. Have only ever had one that I consider to be of good quality. But the price is much higher than the ones sold at Wallyworld or Do It Better Hardware store. It is called Pelonis Origional Ceramic Disc Furnace and they can be found on line and at Camping World. Run about $75. We haved one that is close to 20 years old and still going strong. I would buy another in a heart beat! They even supply the tool to vacuum clean it with.
The problem with the current Pelonis is that it never shuts off. Even with the thermostat turned all the way down, the fan keeps blowing and there is a small amount of heat produced. I think putting any space heater in the unattended bays is a tenuous procedure at best. A simple light bulb on a thermostat seems much safer and more economical as well. I heat my 5' X 5' X 4' well house made of concrete block and wood roof with one 100 watt light bulb. It is not air tight by any stretch. It has gotten down to -5 degrees without the pipes freezing.
I've looked at the current ones and have passed on them. They just are not up to snuff! Mine has a switch which switches the fan/thermostat so the fan/heat comes on and goes off, or stays on with variable speed fan. If I could find a nos Pelonis, I would grab it in a heartbeat.
Looks like we may have graduated to the 200 watt "My Heat" electric heaters, (from 100-watt bulbs) to keep our bay water areas warm in sub-freezing temps.
This is a nice improvement with the fans blowing warm air. We use 4 of these heaters in the following areas: sewer drain, fresh water tank, water manifold & water pump.
Regular heater would be too hot, too dangerous & too large for the small confined areas we want to keep warm.
Thanks to Freytag's posting to Jeff & Carol need for heat.