New heater install

[cpaharley2008]

Today I finished installation of a new electric wall heater. I wanted something more permanent than the portable ones with plugs all over the floor and they are also very noisy. I found a very quiet Broan in wall 1000 watt heater with the option of reducing the wattage to 500 watts by disconnecting a wire during installation. I ordered it on Amazon and upon inspection I decided to add a switch to the unit to allow
either one heat element @ 500 watts or dual elements @ 1000 watts. I installed the unit at the end of the dinette to disperse the heat evenly throughout the trailer. I also installed a wall switch that has a red light when the unit is on. I tapped into an existing outlet for my power and also converted that outlet to a GFCI unit that will cut off power to the heater in the event of any electrical issues. The unit was around $80 on amazon and it is more quiet than the furnace, really impressive. It draws 4 amps on low and with the switch thrown jumps to 8 amps. Completely encased in metal, I fell it is a lot safer than the portable units.
Attached Thumbnails

[cpaharley2008]

more pictures

[cpaharley2008]

more install pictures

[Thomas G.]

Great idea, especially if you generally camp with AC power.

[honda03842]

Jim.

Is this a fanless heater?

[cpaharley2008]

No, it has a small fan that is like your refer fan, very quiet but move the air.

[cpaharley2008]

These units are made for bathrooms and closets.

[Thomas G.]

Amazon.com: BROAN 170 Residential Electric Wall Heater,White: Home & Kitchen

[cpaharley2008]

Huh, I paid $86?? wonder why it went up?

[ericw]

Some places online still have it for $70-90 if you search a little bit.

Nice install. Thanks for the idea.

[cpaharley2008]

I just realized, my GFCI outlet is upside down?? Maybe in the spring I'll flip it.

[hotfishtacos]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just realized, my GFCI outlet is upside down?? Maybe in the spring I'll flip it.

There is no code for residential applications but for commercial OSHA & OSHPD applications the ground pin orientation must be up. I've seen this recently in a new hospital. For household use some molded cords have the ground pin down such as those on refrigerators. Most home outlets have the ground pin down. For trailer use you should be fine. I put an inverter in my trailer with a GFI outlet and put the ground pin up. This would make a great 20 page forum discussion!

[cpaharley2008]

This would make a great 20 page forum discussion!
__________________
like do you put the toilet paper roll paper down or up!!

[Ice-breaker]

Looks good Jim. What is the depth from front of heater to back?

[cpaharley2008]

Approximately 4-5" deep and 9"x12" square opening

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I just realized, my GFCI outlet is upside down?? Maybe in the spring I'll flip it.

The electrons won't notice.

[Ken C]

With your Nextec saw, As you saw Do you use tape to keep the finished edge from fraying up? Or is the blade alone just fine, I have never used one before. Thanks for your photos.

[Ron in BC]

Good idea. Makes sense to install a unit like that if you have a suitable location. The few times I've used an electric heater in my Scamp 13 the cord on the floor has been a nuisance and putting it near the fridge seems counter productive. So I'll be taking a look to see if I can fit one in the hot water tank locker.

Ron

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by hotfishtacos

There is no code for residential applications but for commercial OSHA & OSHPD applications the ground pin orientation must be up. I've seen this recently in a new hospital. For household use some molded cords have the ground pin down such as those on refrigerators. Most home outlets have the ground pin down. For trailer use you should be fine. I put an inverter in my trailer with a GFI outlet and put the ground pin up. This would make a great 20 page forum discussion!

The mounting of outlets with the equipment ground up dates back to at least the early 1980's ,It is part of the rules for hospital certification . I remember wiring the CCU of a large hospital in the early 80's and the rule was in place.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Ken C

With your Nextec saw, As you saw Do you use tape to keep the finished edge from fraying up? Or is the blade alone just fine, I have never used one before. Thanks for your photos.

I cut from the unfinished side and did not use tape, I have used tape in the past when cutting from the finished side. This was my first time with the portable Nextec unit, have used the electric HF unit numerous times, even into the fiberglass for extra outlets. Once the blade is thru you turn the tool and just guide it like a saw along your line, it cuts right thru the paneling like a butter knife thru butter. Also since the grill is bigger than the hole, I was not concerned with any roughness, it was going to be covered. Since this was the first time use, the blade was sharp and the cut was fine. With a used blade you may get some splintering so I'd suggest going from the finished to the unfinished side to eliminate that issue.
ps,
When using this tool I feel like a dentist drilling into teeth, particularly when cutting fiberglass, it cuts harder than wood and the sound imitates that of a dentist's drill with high/low pitches.