Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I just purchased a E2000 Honda Generator to heat my trailer with a block heater when I am at work. I was thinking about this for some time as to alternative energy source to keep my trailer warm in the dead of winter while I am working. Last year I had food freeze on me and had this long a time to think about this problem. I will also be adding an extra tank for fuel to keep it running at all times. I also have a LP heater mounted on a wall but that will over heat the trailer in 5 minutes time. So that I could only use that a little at a time. I needed something to just keep it warm until I get home.

If you run your generator to power an electric resistance heater in your trailer a lot of the energy of the gasoline will be lost outside as waste heat.

It sounds as though your current lp heater is too powerful. Maybe the manufacturer can tell you how to modify it to put out less heat.

Another option is a small catalytic heater. This one seems about the right size (but they make bigger ones) and will shut off if the heater stops putting out heat.

http://www.adventurerv.net/olympian-wav ... gd87mlubg0

A thousand watt electric heater will put 3400 BTUs so the heater above is pretty close to a 1000 watt resistance heater but probably a lot more efficient.

I think, in the long run, when the operating cost and cost/life of the generator is factored in a cat heater would be much cheaper in the long run.

Hope this helps.

Gus

I've got to agree.. I've got a honda EU2000i generator my self. Great generator but they are pretty expensive and have a small tank.. I now you can add one. Still though running one all day every day just to heat a trailer doesn't seem like the best use. Besides if your not even there and its day time no need to run a expensive inverter generator just to run a block heater.. I'd get a small catalytic heater Hook it to your main gas line thats fed by your Lp bottles and your done.. When it comes to heat gas is the best way to go. Atleast compared to electric heaters.

Also to.. Not sure what size your trailer is or if its insulated. But if you just want to keep it from freezing inside. you might not need much at all.. Just a pilot flame on my LP heater keeps my shop from getting to cold in the winter.. In a insulated space where the doors and windows stay closed you would be surprised how little heat it takes

I would be inclined to go with eamarquardt in discussing detuning the LP furnace (smaller jet) or at the very least getting a better thermostat. The one I have going into our new MM is a commercial unit with very precise controls and a remote thermocouple. I disagree concerning using an unvented catalytic heater in a confined space which to me seems is a recipe for disaster carbon monoxide is deadly to all warm-blooded animals. A 0.2% concentration can kill within 30 minutes.

Shadow Catcher wrote:I would be inclined to go with eamarquardt in discussing detuning the LP furnace (smaller jet) or at the very least getting a better thermostat. The one I have going into our new MM is a commercial unit with very precise controls and a remote thermocouple. I disagree concerning using an unvented catalytic heater in a confined space which to me seems is a recipe for disaster carbon monoxide is deadly to all warm-blooded animals. A 0.2% concentration can kill within 30 minutes.

I'd never use a cat heater in a small enclosed space. Good way to get a "Darwin" award! But if you're not there, take a minute or two to "clear the air" before you enter, and the heater has an automatic shut off if it goes out, I'd be ok with it.

Cheers,

Gus

If he runs the gas heater while he isn't in the trailer just him opening the door when he gets in should be enough to clear the air so to speak. What size is this trailer and what kind of gas heater do you currently have?

3 off the wall options

an air to air solar panel heater

http://greenterrafirma.com/solar-air-heating.html

a hot water loop using a ethelene glycol mix to
eliminate freezing problems to a flat panel solar collector

http://www.byexample.com/projects/early/flat_panel_collector/index.html

perhaps a small scale drip waste oil heater ( used motor oil or filtered used deep fryer cooking oil) and yes it would need a vent.
Maybe the hot water loop could be coupled with the waste oil heater

http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_motherearth/me11.html

Now just rig the generator to a thermostatic controlled remote start as a final fail safe back up when the sun takes a day off !

8ball_99 wrote:If he runs the gas heater while he isn't in the trailer just him opening the door when he gets in should be enough to clear the air so to speak. What size is this trailer and what kind of gas heater do you currently have?

This is the case. When I am not in the trailer is when I would need the stand alone heater or gene running. I would control the heat source when I am in the trailer such as turning on the LP heater for a few minutes at a time.

Does your LP heater not have a thermostat? The heater should cut on and off as needed. If yours doesn't then I would get one that did. The only concern with running one these type of heaters in a small space is carbon carbon monoxide like stated above.. But as long as you open the door for a min when you get home this shouldn't be an issue at all.

You can run the gen and heater, But there is much better ways to have an automated heat source. If you insist on going the generator/baseboard heater route. I would get a different generator. No need at all to put the wear and tear on a 1000 dollar inverter generator to run a electric heater.. Go buy 2-300 dollar generator with a honda motor from a big box store..

No electricity , oxygen depletion shut off. multiple heat settings and $60.00

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200307975_200307975

We have a free standing fireplace ( natural gas ) similar to this and have completely heated the house with it in all but the most fridgid days of the winter.

southpennrailroad wrote:I just purchased a E2000 Honda Generator to heat my trailer with a block heater when I am at work. I was thinking about this for some time as to alternative energy source to keep my trailer warm in the dead of winter while I am working. Last year I had food freeze on me and had this long a time to think about this problem. I will also be adding an extra tank for fuel to keep it running at all times. I also have a LP heater mounted on a wall but that will over heat the trailer in 5 minutes time. So that I could only use that a little at a time. I needed something to just keep it warm until I get home.

Gee! I think I was only talking about the gen for a few hours when I was out for work. A lot like when one goes camping and leaves the gen on to boon dock keeping the fridge cold while away for some sight seeing. I thank you all but the subject of the gas heater was not the focus. I already have used that but have other heat sources that will help when I am in the trailer. I was only asking if keeping it on for a few hours was good. I think that an open flame while I was away at work made me feel uncomfortable and an electric heat source would be more safe. Yes I am aware of flammable items next to an electric heater would be foolish but I watch for that constantly. I am in no hurry when I leave. and my trailer is a 6x10.The gen would also charge the battery as well and I can't use a loud gen for neighbors would know where I stay. I keep a low profile.

I have to say that I have not wanted to be around people since my wife passed away several years back and that I just want to survive in my trailer.

Thanks once more.

Sorry like you said you only asked if running a generator to power an electric heater while away was good. You also said you were adding a extra fuel tank "to keep it going at all times" We were just suggesting much more efficient ways of heating a trailer while away. I have that same generator, I myself wouldn't use it for that. But you seem to have your mind set on what you want to do. So I'll stop trying to help

Check these out..

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http://www.espar.com/html/products/technology_air.html

Mark

I can only speak from my experiences but it should work just fine. I purchased one over a year ago (March) and just had to give it a try so I back yard camped using the gen. If you just keep the heater on a low setting the Gen does not work hard at all but you will want to kick off the ECO throttle if you run the heater full bore. I have a 6X10 as well and used it this past April in Ohio on a cold and rainy weekend. I just used the heater on a low setting simply to keep the chill off after diving in 39 degree water and it worked great but it was far from winter temps.

"I can only speak from my experiences but it should work just fine. I purchased one over a year ago (March) and just had to give it a try so I back yard camped using the gen. If you just keep the heater on a low setting the Gen does not work hard at all but you will want to kick off the ECO throttle if you run the heater full bore. I have a 6X10 as well and used it this past April in Ohio on a cold and rainy weekend. I just used the heater on a low setting simply to keep the chill off after diving in 39 degree water and it worked great but it was far from winter temps. "

Thanks that is what I was looking for. I camp often and use my other heat sources when I am in the trailer but was concerned about when I was gone. I do work in the winter but not many hours and would get back in plenty of time to refill if needed or until I get an external just to make sure I had enough fuel to keep the gen running. I suppose I could use the small catalytic heater in the sub freeze as we had last year as a back up. I will let you all know just how it works this winter.

I probably will heat the trailer full bore B4 I leave for the day then just leave the heater on with the gen to maintain the heat till I return. We had some three weeks of 0 degree temps this year and I want to see how it fairs.

And by the way thanks for all your import everyone above who submitted help..