Electric Heater?

[coldmark]

I have a 10K vent free heater that doesn't heat good enough on cold days. I will ultimately get a direct vent type, but not next year. What if I used an electric heater running off my Honda generator on cold days? Anyone use an electric heater in their ice shack? How does it work?

[Ryan_V]

I've wondered the same thing....I'm running the generator anyway, why burn gas and lp when I might get by with electric when the generator is on...but, most heaters are over 1000 watts so you'd be close to maxing out your generator if you have the 2000. this will be interesting to hear what others do on the subject.

[coldmark]

Yes, I have the 2000. Does that mean I can run a heater that's 2000 watts or should I look for something smaller?

[Zzapp]

Just keep in mind that turning gasoline ($3+/gal) into electricity into heat is very inefficient - LP is much more effective and direct.

[waskawood]

There are 3413 BTU's in a kilowatt hour of electricity. You would need 3 kw to produce 10,000 btu's of you current furnace if it wre 100 percent efficient which it is not. Your 2000 watt generator I believe is an intermittent rating.

[Ryan_V]

your generator, same as mine, is rated for 2000 surge watts and 1600 continous watts. this means that if you find a heater that is 1000 watts, you only have 600 left over when you plug your heater in, plus your generator will suck alot more gas to run that heater.

[coldmark]

Thanks for the info fellas. It doesn't sound like electric heaters are popular? Anyone out there use one?

[slipperybob]

Well all I use is an electric heater to dry out the Clam in the garage. I think the measurement of BTU's on it is only about 3,000 so that would be the same as a coleman personal butane heater. All I know is when it's subfreez wheather, even cranking the sunflower to like 14,000 BTU's on the 20lb wasn't near warm enough. But I think it's because there's not the air circulation to even it out, whereas the electric heater I have is fan built in.

[wingnutken]

On those really cold and windy days or to take the chill out quickly in a cold house try this. Turn on a sunflower heater but crack a window while you have it on. Once you heat up the house your other heater will be able to keep you comfortable.

[slabberknocker]

Well I am building a shack on skids this summer. It is going to measure 6x12. It will go on my utility trailer. I have a couple questions about the heat and lighting. What do people use for lighting? I have never had a permanent or fished out of one so I am not sure how to set that up. Then with heat. Where might I go and look for a heater? What size? The walls and floors and ceiling will all be insulated. I would want a vented LP heater. Any suggestions on these two thinks would be great.

Thanks

Slab

[nytelyter]

i will say that if ya want to make a short trip out to lester prairie and have a peek at mine you will get some great ideas. it is an acculmination of eight years of fine tuning it to where i like it. the best thing to do is see alot of shacks and pick the ideas you like for yours. e-mail me if you would like the tour i will give you my cell # and we can set something up. ... paul