RV heater question

[Irrelevant]

So because HT is pretty great about answering random questions here goes.

My parents got a new camp trailer a couple years ago. They hardly ever use it, so it just chills in their garage. But I'd like to start using it as an extra bedroom, that way my kids have a room and my sisters kids have a room when we all descend on the homestead. But it's an unheated garage and it pretty damn cold in the trailer. They've tried to use a small electric heater but it causes the O2 sensor to go off.
1. Why?!?! would that happen
2. How to fix it?

 

[Farmerj]

So because HT is pretty great about answering random questions here goes.

My parents got a new camp trailer a couple years ago. They hardly ever use it, so it just chills in their garage. But I'd like to start using it as an extra bedroom, that way my kids have a room and my sisters kids have a room when we all descend on the homestead. But it's an unheated garage and it pretty damn cold in the trailer. They've tried to use a small electric heater but it causes the O2 sensor to go off.
1. Why?!?! would that happen
2. How to fix it?

I’d replace the CO2 sensor. They do fail.

 

[Elkmagnet]

So because HT is pretty great about answering random questions here goes.

My parents got a new camp trailer a couple years ago. They hardly ever use it, so it just chills in their garage. But I'd like to start using it as an extra bedroom, that way my kids have a room and my sisters kids have a room when we all descend on the homestead. But it's an unheated garage and it pretty damn cold in the trailer. They've tried to use a small electric heater but it causes the O2 sensor to go off.
1. Why?!?! would that happen
2. How to fix it?

Maybe lint on the heat element burning off?
Could the whole garage have an o2 issue?

 

[Addicting]

I didn’t think campers could have electric heaters due to fire restrictions. Is the camper burning any type of propane when powered up like the fridge?

 

[Ben Lamb]

Kids are resilient. They'll be fine.

 

[Irrelevant]

I’d replace the CO2 sensor. They do fail.

this hasn't failed. It's a very specific issue.

Maybe lint on the heat element burning off?
Could the whole garage have an o2 issue?

No, because they first discovered it while parked in my driveway this fall.

I didn’t think campers could have electric heaters due to fire restrictions. Is the camper burning any type of propane when powered up like the fridge?

It's just a plug in heater, like one you'd put in a cold bedroom. They're trying not to use the propane furnace.

 

[jejack26]

So because HT is pretty great about answering random questions here goes.

My parents got a new camp trailer a couple years ago. They hardly ever use it, so it just chills in their garage. But I'd like to start using it as an extra bedroom, that way my kids have a room and my sisters kids have a room when we all descend on the homestead. But it's an unheated garage and it pretty damn cold in the trailer. They've tried to use a small electric heater but it causes the O2 sensor to go off.
1. Why?!?! would that happen
2. How to fix it?

So I'm not clear, the 02 sensor is part of the electric portable heater? A concern is O2 sensors usually trip 19-20%, If displacement from another gas type is the origin it can be a problem. 1% =10,000 ppm.. 02 sensors do go bad like CO se sorry. Toxicity for CO approximately 800 ppm. See the problem.

 

[Addicting]

this hasn't failed. It's a very specific issue

Put a second one in and run it. If they both go off it’s not the issue. If only one does you found your issue.

 

[SwaggyD]

So because HT is pretty great about answering random questions here goes.

My parents got a new camp trailer a couple years ago. They hardly ever use it, so it just chills in their garage. But I'd like to start using it as an extra bedroom, that way my kids have a room and my sisters kids have a room when we all descend on the homestead. But it's an unheated garage and it pretty damn cold in the trailer. They've tried to use a small electric heater but it causes the O2 sensor to go off.
1. Why?!?! would that happen
2. How to fix it?

Was there a window cracked? Should always have a window cracked. I would also make sure the garage has a window cracked as well.

 

[SwaggyD]

It's just a plug in heater, like one you'd put in a cold bedroom. They're trying not to use the propane furnace.

Guess my previous comment is worthless. Ha ha

 

[Triggw]

What's actually going off? I never heard of a camper having an O2 sensor. O2 is oxygen. There's lots of it everywhere. They do have a dual sensor that detects carbon monoxide (CO) and also propane. When it goes off, there's usually an indicator on the device that tells you whether the alarm is for CO or propane. I can't think of any reason an electric heater would cause either alarm, but I would start by knowing exactly what is alarming. BTW, I would definitely not run a propane heater confined in the garage. That's a sure way to CO poisoning.

 

[Elkmagnet]

Odd problem indeed. Can you unscrew the detector from the wall and see if it goes off in your home? and/or move it and the heater into a different space to isolate the issue.

 

[elkantlers]

Buy the kids a stocking hat and warm socks. They will be fine.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Where are we at with this?

 

[schmalts]

An electric heater should emit no harmful gas, nor consume O2. When I head to my hunting land on weekends in the winter I put the propane heater on long enough to get the chill out and then turn on 2 electric heaters and the electric fireplace, that is nothing more than an electric heater. It is a 34footer so it takes more than one heater to heat that area. I am a little unclear what alarm is going off but I would not worry about it as long as you are sure the propane tank is shut off. An electric space heated can't kill you with CO, HC, or any other gas for that matter.

 

[Arcola]

Those sensors also have an end of life alarm, which maybe you’re only experiencing when someone is in it. There is no way an electric heater is creating any harmful gasses.

In every Camper I’ve owned, those things seem to reach their end of life around 2am.

 

[Triggw]

... as long as you are sure the propane tank is shut off. ...

That's the first thing I would do. Maybe there's a leak in the propane system that shows up when things get warmer. And before I took the thing out, I would go over the whole system with a propane sniffer.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Guys.

We've been thinking about this all wrong.

How much cabbage was eaten before going out to the garage & engaging said heater?

 

[elkantlers]

So because HT is pretty great about answering random questions here goes.

My parents got a new camp trailer a couple years ago. They hardly ever use it, so it just chills in their garage. But I'd like to start using it as an extra bedroom, that way my kids have a room and my sisters kids have a room when we all descend on the homestead. But it's an unheated garage and it pretty damn cold in the trailer. They've tried to use a small electric heater but it causes the O2 sensor to go off.
1. Why?!?! would that happen
2. How to fix it?

I had an O2 sensor that would go off when the battery voltage got low.
Is your heater running off of the trailer battery through an inverter? Maybe it's draining the battery.
You might try plugging the heater into an extension cord rather than an outlet in the trailer.

 

[Arcola]

Guys.

We've been thinking about this all wrong.

How much cabbage was eaten before going out to the garage & engaging said heater?

I redact my previous statement. Ben is on to something here.