Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-08-2016, 11:19 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 13
When to use tank heaters?

New Cardinal owner here and dealer not very knowledgeable. Do I need to have water in the tank a before using tank heaters? If stored for the winter should I use the tank heaters to keep underbelly warm? We don't have extreme temps here, gets down to 28-30 a few times in the winter. Thanks


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
Scotrod106 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2016, 11:44 AM   #2
Ret E-9 Anchor-clanker
 
donanddona's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Genoa, ILL
Posts: 1,476
Your tank heater is a square patch on the exterior of the tank(s). And yes you should have some water/liquid in them to use. Additionally, you should have wrapping (a small strip of heat tape) around the pipe(s) leading or next to the dump valve(s). I have used mine for every winter (7 yrs.) and have left the switch on with no damage. This switch turns on all installed heater patch(s) for your tanks and drains.
__________________
Don & Dona W/yorkies Gizmo, Master Chief, & Tali
2011 Flagstaff 8528 BHSS 2015 Ford 6.7 XLT
2010 Full Timers & Still Going
donanddona is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2016, 11:44 AM   #3
Pickin', Campin', Mason
 
5picker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
You only use the tank heaters when there is water in the holding tanks, otherwise, with no water in the tanks, there is no need for heat. Nothing in them to freeze.

The tank heaters do not keep the underbelly warm. They are simply heating pads that stick to the tank(s) and apply heat to the tank(s) and their contents through conductivity.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA

Days Camped '19=118 '20=116 '21=123 '22=134 '23=118 '24=64
5picker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2016, 10:47 PM   #4
WFD
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,947
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotrod106 View Post
New Cardinal owner here and dealer not very knowledgeable. Do I need to have water in the tank a before using tank heaters? If stored for the winter should I use the tank heaters to keep underbelly warm? We don't have extreme temps here, gets down to 28-30 a few times in the winter. Thanks


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
If it's stored for the winter why would you want to heat the tanks. Hopefully you emptied them prior to storing. If there is some residual liquid in there it likely won't freeze given the low temps you quoted. And if it did drop cold enough to freeze them it's still not an issue since there is plenty of room for expansion. Water in those tanks is not at all like water in a supply line.
__________________
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax
2016 Rockwood 8289WS, Diamond Pkg.
WFD is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
heater, tank

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:38 AM.