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Frank&Mike · 12-06-2011, 08:44 PM

Man, it sure is frustrating to pay $125 / month for covered storage with electric hookup and there isn't even enough power to run 1 little electric heater tonight to minimize the effects of freezing weather.

Each site at the storage facility has its own dedicated plug in. But is it possible that those huge motorhomes all around me are drawing so much power that it's robbing from the rest of us? If yes, is there any way to ensure they are not negatively impacting our availability of power? Other than complain?

Since I can't even get enough power to run 1 little electric heater my only other option is to fire up the little propane heater - one of these:
Mr. Heater Little Buddy Propane Heater - Product - Camping World

But this option seems too risky without spending the night camping out at the storage facility.

SteveH · 12-06-2011, 09:00 PM

If there is too much load on the line, everyone will see the same low line voltage, with the possible exception of someone closer to the feed, or input to the line.

**moosetags** · 12-06-2011, 09:26 PM

You may have only 3 or 5 amp service at the storage facility. This is usually not sufficient to power even a small electric heater which will typically require 10 amps.

I would check with the storage facility to see if they have it set up this way.

Brian

idroba · 12-06-2011, 09:48 PM

A "little electric heater" taking 1000 watts run all month takes 720 kwh. (1 kw x24 hours x 30 days). At the usual US rate of 11 cents per kwh, the cost to the lot renters could easily be over $80, and you are "only" paying $125 per month. Even thought it probably would not run every hour of every day, you can see why the owners might be concerned about how much power you use. I expect they figure the power they supply would be for battery maintenance only, and maybe a little extra, not enough to run heaters (or AC units) all month.

Even leaving the refrigerator on 120 volt power would probably take 200 watts an hour on average (RV refrigerators are very inefficient) which is .2 kwh. Those same 720 hours times .2 kwh times 11 cents would be a cost to them of about $16 a month.

DKB_SATX · 12-06-2011, 10:16 PM

Well, there's that Suburban furnace Airstream installed in the thing...

Is the power off? Or would the heater just not run? If there's enough to keep the batteries charged, the trailer should be able to maintain 50F inside for a couple of days without sucking down all the propane.

I don't trust my 36-year-old furnace but yours should be reliable, no?

DKB_SATX · 12-06-2011, 10:20 PM

If you really want to know how much power other RVs at your storage are using, you could buy/borrow something like this ammeter.

Yeah, I know I'm a nerd.

62overlander · 12-07-2011, 03:18 AM

Have you ever considered actually winterizing your trailer so this is not an issue? That way you would not need to run a heater. If it won't run a heater, you might also not have enough amps to properly run your converter.

This would just be a silly question if you lived a little further North, it would have had been winterized a month ago and there would not be any worries.

sandlapper · 12-07-2011, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank&Mike

Man, it sure is frustrating to pay $125 / month for covered storage with electric hookup and there isn't even enough power to run 1 little electric heater tonight to minimize the effects of freezing weather.

Each site at the storage facility has its own dedicated plug in. But is it possible that those huge motorhomes all around me are drawing so much power that it's robbing from the rest of us? If yes, is there any way to ensure they are not negatively impacting our availability of power? Other than complain?

Since I can't even get enough power to run 1 little electric heater my only other option is to fire up the little propane heater - one of these:
Mr. Heater Little Buddy Propane Heater - Product - Camping World

But this option seems too risky without spending the night camping out at the storage facility.

that an electric heater inside the coach doesn't protect the plumbing under the floor, in the under belly. Only the furnace can do that. Even tho there is insulation under there it still could freeze. At least drain the water out. Safe & happy travels, John

Top · 12-07-2011, 04:57 AM

Mike,
I think that David's suggestion to use the furnace is your best choice.

Well Frank, this short snap of unusual cold does not make it worth winterizing. It is still prime camping weather here in Texas. It will be 65 again this weekend.

overlander63 · 12-07-2011, 05:59 AM

If it's indoor storage, and you don't have to worry about wind, set the furnace for 40-45 degrees. It may only run a few times over the next few days, and the converter will be easily able to keep the batteries charged using the power available. It will take the building a lot longer to get to 32 degrees than if the trailer was outdoors.

Goal15 · 12-07-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

If it's indoor storage, and you don't have to worry about wind, set the furnace for 40-45 degrees. It may only run a few times over the next few days, and the converter will be easily able to keep the batteries charged using the power available. It will take the building a lot longer to get to 32 degrees than if the trailer was outdoors.

Are there issues with running propane furnace in enclosed storage or is the ventilation good enough?

DaveFL · 12-07-2011, 07:17 AM

Last winter I forgot to turn the thermostat to off, it was set at lowest 50, came back to an empty propane tank after a couple of days.

Don't use the furnace if you are in a closed space, it can produce monoxide if not burning with a blue flame.

AS did make it easier to winterize with valves to drain but it's not going to do it with gravity. You would need to put in a compressor to blow the water lines out, for complete draining, should be able to retrofit one for less than the cost of electric or propane for the season.

DKB_SATX · 12-07-2011, 07:20 AM

The popular arrangement in TX is covered but not fully enclosed storage. It's probably easier to meet code that way, what with all the propane, gasoline and diesel. That's how mine is laid out, as well as several other facilities I checked when searching for a storage space.

Frank&Mike · 12-07-2011, 04:19 PM

Not running the heater every day. We rarely get this unusually cold. Fully understand and respect the financial impact to the owner of the storage facility. But one of the reasons we chose to store there is for the ability to keep the fridge running and on the rare occassion to run a little heater. I doubt that a couple of nights of

Winterizing. As stated in a previous reply ... this is prime camping season here in south Texas. Rarely do we have to winterize. Already did some winterizing but didn't do the full winterizing because we're attending a rally this weekend.

Ok, now that those items are clarified, thanks to those who kindly answered my original question without all the other dialogue.