Temperature considerations

[tnbendr]

We are thinking of staying in the New England area for a while longer, or as long as the weather doesn't get too cold. It has been dipping into the freezing zone for the last two nights around the Lancaster, PA area and have had no problem with the hoses outside so far. I'm guessing it boils down to how long the temps are at those lows with regard to them freezing up. Any advice or tips that would be wise to follow while we are in this climate zone?

[tmmar]

We are in Concord, NC for the FCOC rally and the temps are supposed to be in the low to mid 30's here as well so you are not alone being in PA as far as the temps go. Hopefully we won't have any freezing issues here.

[JTN8]

I usually fill the fresh tank, disconnect the hose, put two utility lights underneath (one by the pump and one by the manifold) and monitor the temp with a external temp gauge read inside the coach and run two or three electric heaters inside on different circuits. Keeps the coach around 70, wet Bay around 40 and no issues when outside temp has been in the low low teens!! Turn the tank heaters on about an hour before dumping too, or just leave them on. Your valves are heated with that option so that is why I do that.

Jason

[silver]

I installed two lamp sockets in the basement wet bay for those early spring and late fall camping trips. I got tired of dragging the drop cord light out and worrying I might have it laying to close to something combustible. Remember when you use tank heaters there must be something in the tanks so right after you dump you cannot use them.

[fredhardy]

Silver - I like it! Thanks for sharing!

[15berkxl]

Originally Posted by silver

Remember when you use tank heaters there must be something in the tanks so right after you dump you cannot use them.

Silver where did you read or hear about that? Now you have me concerned I was at a camp ground Sunday night and they were calling for 36 degrees so I turned on the tank heater for the first time ever. Of course the gray tank was empty as I leave that valve open while I am hooked up. The black tank is only open when I dump but I did leave the heater on until I returned home last night even though both tanks were empty.


Wayne

[doc73]

It is on the paperwork for the heaters and on the website of at least one tank heater company I have seen. They say tank damage could happen.

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[5456Mich]

Originally Posted by 15berkxl

Silver where did you read or hear about that? Now you have me concerned I was at a camp ground Sunday night and they were calling for 36 degrees so I turned on the tank heater for the first time ever. Of course the gray tank was empty as I leave that valve open while I am hooked up. The black tank is only open when I dump but I did leave the heater on until I returned home last night even though both tanks were empty.


Wayne

Wayne go out and peek under your coach. If you see globs of melted plastic hanging down just go back in the house so the neighbors don't see you

On a side note it's probably fine, just don't do it again. My God there's so much to process with these. Now I need to go out to find the tank heater switch.

[tnbendr]

My water pump sits in the bay that has the funky latches that accesses the tanks. Would the tank heaters be enough to protect the pump too? I know it doesn't take much to keep frost out, such as a light bulb in the vacinity, but just wondering if it is designed to heat the whole bay when tank heat is on. We got down to 29 for two nights and as JTN8 said he disconnects his water and uses the tank, how will the pump hold up?

[15berkxl]

I would say no the tank heaters if the outdated literature we all have correct are flat and the tank lays on it. The heater is temperature controlled coming on when temperature in tank drops to 44 deg F and turns off at 64 deg F.
I believe the ducts from the back furnace also are plumbed into the wet area including the pump compartment.


Wayne

[15berkxl]

Originally Posted by 5456Mich

Wayne go out and peek under your coach. If you see globs of melted plastic hanging down just go back in the house so the neighbors don't see you

On a side note it's probably fine, just don't do it again. My God there's so much to process with these. Now I need to go out to find the tank heater switch.

Joe I am hoping as I just posted that even though I had the switch on at the control panel that the temperature did not get down to 44 deg so never came on. But that assumes that information is still correct.


Wayne

[silver]

Originally Posted by 15berkxl

Silver where did you read or hear about that? Now you have me concerned I was at a camp ground Sunday night and they were calling for 36 degrees so I turned on the tank heater for the first time ever. Of course the gray tank was empty as I leave that valve open while I am hooked up. The black tank is only open when I dump but I did leave the heater on until I returned home last night even though both tanks were empty.


Wayne

Check out FAQ on their web site

UltraHeat, Inc. - Home

[15berkxl]

Originally Posted by 5456Mich

Wayne go out and peek under your coach. If you see globs of melted plastic hanging down just go back in the house so the neighbors don't see you

On a side note it's probably fine, just don't do it again. My God there's so much to process with these. Now I need to go out to find the tank heater switch.

Joe maybe the good news is that the heaters don't work I filled the tanks with plain water and I didn't see any water gushing out anywhere I left the water overnight since the temperature is not cold enough to freeze yet levels were still full this morning. I'm still not sure what the heaters look like or where they are mounted guess I'll ask when I take the MH in next week.


Wayne