Electric Heat?

canadian madman · Nov 8, 2010

Ok so here is what I'm considering and looking for opinions...

I'd like to get a little heat in the enclosed trailer for this winter...not looking to have it room temperature - just enough to take the edge off and hopefully melt ice off the machines over night...

been looking at the propane heaters and they seem to work well...but i was thinking about maybe picking up a nice quiet honda 3000W generator and running a couple of electric heaters...was thinking about getting a generator for the holiday trailer anyways next summer...this way I would also have power in the trailer for tools in case any repairs are needed...and I already have jerry cans of fuel handy for the sleds - which beats hunting around for propane...just seems to make sense on so many levels...unless I'm missing something? ....i relaize the heat output wouldn't be the same...but should be good enough i think....

plan to mount the generator inside the enclosed in the nose and vent exhaust outside...that way I would also get some heat off the generator too...then i could run a couple of ceramic heaters at either end and it should keep it above zero...doesn't seem to get that cold overnight at revy too often...

Thoughts?

Rhino Rick · Nov 8, 2010

canadian madman said:
Ok so here is what I'm considering and looking for opinions...

I'd like to get a little heat in the enclosed trailer for this winter...not looking to have it room temperature - just enough to take the edge off and hopefully melt ice off the machines over night...

been looking at the propane heaters and they seem to work well...but i was thinking about maybe picking up a nice quiet honda 3000W generator and running a couple of electric heaters...was thinking about getting a generator for the holiday trailer anyways next summer...this way I would also have power in the trailer for tools in case any repairs are needed...and I already have jerry cans of fuel handy for the sleds - which beats hunting around for propane...just seems to make sense on so many levels...unless I'm missing something? ....i relaize the heat output wouldn't be the same...but should be good enough i think....

plan to mount the generator inside the enclosed in the nose and vent exhaust outside...that way I would also get some heat off the generator too...then i could run a couple of ceramic heaters at either end and it should keep it above zero...doesn't seem to get that cold overnight at revy too often...

Thoughts?

Even if you just want to melt out the trailer you need alot of BTU's. I would say you should be looking at 34000 at least and some good air crculation. Those little electric heaters don't put out enough. They will take the edge off at best but dont think it'll be warm enough to melt anything. I tried. Especially if your trailer is not insulated.

Orrin · Nov 8, 2010

I agree, you'll need a lot of BTU's and good insulation to melt ice and dry the sleds and trailer inside, but it should be doable. I have stayed in trailers heated only with electric heaters in some pretty cold conditions. You won't find these heaters at Canadian Tire or Rona though and you may have a hard time finding ones that your Honda can run as most will be 220v.

canadian madman · Nov 8, 2010

How cold was it outside when you tried with the electric heat? I can see it not working if it was -20 out....but surely a couple of the ceramic heaters would put off enough to melt the ice if it was only -5 or -10....wouldn't they? May have to strategically place them....

Orrin · Nov 8, 2010

canadian madman said:
How cold was it outside when you tried with the electric heat? I can see it not working if it was -20 out....but surely a couple of the ceramic heaters would put off enough to melt the ice if it was only -5 or -10....wouldn't they? May have to strategically place them....

These were oilfield shacks and we used them as cold as the winter would get, but they were well insulated. If you have a fan to keep the air moving you might be able to melt the ice.

RETODD · Nov 8, 2010

The biggest issue you face is that most sled trailers do not have insulated floors.

You need to keep the air moving big time or the water dripping off the sleds freezes to the floor in a giant puddle entrapping the sleds in a tomb of ice around the tracks.

The moving air needs to keep the temp on the floor above zero...hot air rises...vent needs to be cracked to allow moisture out...no moving air...no heat on floor...skating rink...frozen sleds and doors.

We are going to go the RV furnace route (D/C & Propane). If we can plug in to A/C we'll have a charger on the battery...if not we'll bring a Honda 2000 and run it to keep the battery up when needed.

I have a feeling with out a fairly good airflow you will not get the outcome you seek.

T.

Rhino Rick · Nov 8, 2010

canadian madman said:
How cold was it outside when you tried with the electric heat? I can see it not working if it was -20 out....but surely a couple of the ceramic heaters would put off enough to melt the ice if it was only -5 or -10....wouldn't they? May have to strategically place them....

I tried a couple of ceramic heaters in -13 or so for about 10 hours!! Was as if they weren't even on.

canadian madman · Nov 8, 2010

thanks for the feedback guys....i guess it wasn't as such a good idea as it first seemed....that sucks.....was really looking to justify purchasing that shiney new generator

....unless....of course!

a BIGGER generator with more heaters!

Longhorn · Nov 8, 2010

Agree you would need 220v for sure...pretty big in the Honda line-up, dont quote me on this, but I think you need a 6500w or so?? Not sure, but I wanted a 220 outlet and a Honda generator, by time you get into that range a Miller Bobcat welder is cheaper and 11,000w generator to boot! Although, it is a bit bigger than a Honda 3000w LOL.

Piece of advice, in Medicine Hat the 3000w Honda is over $3000, but just over the line in Havre, it is $1900. No duty...

Orrin · Nov 8, 2010

I may have a 3000 with electric start for sale of you're interested.

wiseguy · Nov 9, 2010

Go with one of these. No power required.

4byrookie · Nov 9, 2010

Longhorn said:
Piece of advice, in Medicine Hat the 3000w Honda is over $3000, but just over the line in Havre, it is $1900. No duty...

OUCH!!! We paid $2400 all in at Honda Extreme in Edmonton last year for the EU3000is

Electric Heat?

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