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Old 11-14-2012, 06:20 PM   #1
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Question Tank Heater Switches Identification

Greetings all. My first post here. We picked up our Sanibel 3500 in October and we're pretty happy so far.

I guess I have two questions:
In the control panel box, there are two switches labelled "Tank Heater".
I have four tanks. I'm guessing that one of the switches is for the fresh water tank (which would often be unused) and the other one is for the 3 "holding tanks". Please tell me which of these two switches does what.

Second question: What document am I missing that gives this information? It's certainly not in anything I was given or that I've found on-line.

Thanks!
Barry
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Old 11-15-2012, 09:37 AM   #2
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switches

You can contact Prime Time Customer Service @ 574-862-3001, I have contacted them before and they are very helpfull. Please post the info you receive for others.
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Old 11-15-2012, 11:32 AM   #3
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Good question - one of the switches contols 2 waste tanks and one controls the 3rd waste tank AND your fresh tank. We can't get 3 tanks on one switch because it overloads the circuit. With your converter you have limitations on the quantity of available circuits to utilize so we had to group them together. Hope this helps.

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Old 11-15-2012, 12:12 PM   #4
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Thanks RV Guy!

So it sounds like I would just want them both on or both off. The way they're wired doesn't give me the option of not heating the fresh water tank, even when it's empty. Can you verify for me then that it's OK to heat an empty tank? TIA....

Barry
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Old 11-15-2012, 03:28 PM   #5
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Thanks RV Guy!

So it sounds like I would just want them both on or both off. The way they're wired doesn't give me the option of not heating the fresh water tank, even when it's empty. Can you verify for me then that it's OK to heat an empty tank?
Don't think you have to worry about it damaging an empty tank as they don't get that hot. If you're worried, put 5 gal of water in it. The thermo-switch in most heater circuits turn on at approximately 40F(+/-5F) and turn off at approximately 60F (+/-5). This allows the tank blanket to add warmth to the tank as the temperature drops.
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Old 11-15-2012, 03:57 PM   #6
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We learn something new everyday . . . after talking with BOTH the supplier of the holding tanks and the supplier of the tank heaters, we can say that there would be no problem with having your heaters turned on with your tank empty. As stated above by dunnnc, they are on a thermostat and would turn off way before they could cause any damage to your tank. Hope this helps.

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Old 11-16-2012, 04:40 PM   #7
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Thanks all! Glad to hear the system is pretty much fool-proof (which is really difficult to do because fools are so clever).
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Old 12-10-2013, 09:28 AM   #8
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Well so glad to see this thread. We too have a new RV with heated tanks.

When I asked the dealer and they told me when turned on they are always on. I said there had to be a minimun low temp before they come on and maximum high temp they go off. They said "Nope.. when they are on they are always on and heating." I didnt think this was correct. My dealer leave a lots to be desired. (P.S. never had heated tank before so all the info I can find is very helpful.)
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Old 12-10-2013, 12:37 PM   #9
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Ok have question or issue with my unit. I have a 2012 Sanibel 3400 which has 4 tanks but I only have one tank heater switch. should I be concerned with tripping the fuse or is mine wired with a double pole switch would allow circuits on one switch
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Old 12-10-2013, 12:53 PM   #10
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oh yeah.. P.S. my NEW rig came with NO info on the heated tanks.. that were a special order option I paid for. So sad not to know who makes them, how they work or how to use them. FR needs to get a little better at getting this info out to the consumers.

I have always had a lower end, no frills RV unit.. so to get one with a electirc/gas water heater, heated tanks etc is a BIG step up for hubby and me.
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Old 12-10-2013, 01:38 PM   #11
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oh yeah.. P.S. my NEW rig came with NO info on the heated tanks.. that were a special order option I paid for. So sad not to know who makes them, how they work or how to use them. FR needs to get a little better at getting this info out to the consumers.

I have always had a lower end, no frills RV unit.. so to get one with a electirc/gas water heater, heated tanks etc is a BIG step up for hubby and me.
I have 3 tanks heated on 1 switch they also have heat tape around the elbows and valves. They are thermostatically controlled to 60 degrees. What it is, is like a pad glued to the bottom. When it gets cold below 32 I turn them on. I keep some water in each because it will heat up and help with the underbelly heat. I have a remote stat in the basement. We have been down to 27 here and the lowest my basement was 41 degrees so far. The tanks with some water in them add to the heat of the basement. It will take longer for them to get cold. If you run them on 12v only not plugged in you will drain your batteries in 1 or 2 nights, They pull a lot of juice, I tried it because my dealer did not how many amps they pull. So they are great if you are plugged in.......Guess we will not be seeing you at the rally this year being I did not read one about the Glades again at the kick back like last year... PS I had a cigar for you CUBAN.
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Old 12-10-2013, 02:49 PM   #12
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I have a 2014 Roo 183 that has tank heaters I optioned. They are ThermaHeat units. They state clearly in the manual that they are thermostatically controlled, and will turn on at 45 degrees F and then turn off at 67 degrees F.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure if mine are DC or AC........
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Old 02-21-2014, 06:57 AM   #13
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I have a 2014 Crusader 260RLD with heated tanks. Where are the switches located for my rig. It is still not here to me yet due to snow so I cant look myself.
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Old 02-21-2014, 07:00 PM   #14
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There are no heater pads with switches. Heat is from a duct to the underbelly from the forced air furnace.
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Old 02-21-2014, 07:04 PM   #15
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That's better. If it's cold enough to worry about tanks I will probably have the heat on anyway. A lot less amps drawn from the batteries too. Thanks.
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Old 02-23-2014, 11:01 PM   #16
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That's better. If it's cold enough to worry about tanks I will probably have the heat on anyway. A lot less amps drawn from the batteries too. Thanks.

That's another one Donzie67, blanket heaters on your tanks would suck your battery(ies) down pretty fast.
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