Tank Heating Pads

cwppwc · 10-16-2015, 10:05 PM

I have a 2015 Wildcat Maxx 28RKX. It has the "Four Seasons" package. My question is "Since the belly is sealed, how do I know if the holding tank heating pads are actually working?" Is there a power indicator I'm missing? Thanks in advance.

BigJohnD · 10-16-2015, 10:18 PM

Almost just have to assume they're working, unless you start really digging to check amp draw and such. One thing to remember, only turn them on if you have liquid in the tank. We had them and never used them on last rig and a few others. I've always seen them as more of a cheap marketing thing. Depending on where your dump valves are, you could have frozen dump lines, even with the heaters. If the dump valves are at the tank with remote cable pulls, great, if you have a bunch of unheated / uninsulated gray / black pipe coming from the tank, (or exposed out of the underbelly, then the valve, then the tank heater might be useless. Just food for thought.

cwppwc · 10-16-2015, 10:31 PM

Thanks John. The dump valves are enclosed in the belly so that's a good thing. I don't have a switch (or at least I haven't located one) to actually turn them on/off. I was assuming they were like the heat tapes on my house. They would automatically come on during freezing temps. My house heat tapes have a small led indicator to tell me if they are "on" or not. But with a sealed belly, I'm not sure how I could verify without actually cutting into the belly which I do not want to do if at all possible.

BigJohnD · 10-16-2015, 10:53 PM

I'm not as familiar with the Wildcat's but the tank heaters FR and other manf use are pretty much the same thing. You should have a switch for them somewhere. All the ones we had did have a switch, although it didn't just jump out at us. Hoping someone with a similar rig can chime in to verify on the switch. Hadn't seen a RV with tank heaters without the switch.

Campster · 10-16-2015, 11:26 PM

I'm pretty sure if you don't have a switch, you don't have heaters for your tanks. I too have a 28rkx with 4 seasons package, so it is stated. It has no heaters for the tanks. In the latest models I believe the switch is located in the kitchen area left of the refer.

cwppwc · 10-16-2015, 11:37 PM

Thanks! The gentleman who did our PDI last year was "new" and may have mis-spoke. And I didn't know any better. ;-)

RSchleder · 10-17-2015, 05:40 AM

I own a 2016 28RKX Wildcat MAXX and we have two toggle switches right above the kitchen sink that operate the tank heaters. I'm told that the tank heaters have a thermostat on them and if left on it was no issue as they would turn off/on based the the outside temp.
Prior to owning the 2016 28RKX, we owned a 2015 24RG which is a 28' Wildcat MAXX, The tanks in that unit were heated by the propane furnace as it had heat duct(s) into the tank area. I'm not sure which system the 2015 28RKX has. Hope this helps a bit!

PS- if you don't have the electric heaters ( 2 switches by kitchen sink) I'm sure you have furnace heating duct(s) in your tank area so you DO have some tank protection in colder weather. That's how our 2015 24RG tank heating was configured.

Witch Doctor · 10-17-2015, 06:27 AM

Tank heaters have a switch to turn them on, then they are thermostatically controlled Come on when they read the skin of the tank to 40 degrees and turn off at 60 degrees. There should also be heat strip wires easy to see at the drain line outside the exposed from the belly. You really need a D/C amp probe to tell if they are on. They also pull quite a few amps, so you better be plugged in to use them. That is how mine work. At home during the chance of cold weather I will just turn them on with some liquid in the tanks so it has something to heat and won't distort the plastic holding tanks. Another way to tell if they are working is to shut everything off 12v. Go out and check your ems if you have one it should show the 110v and amps being drawn from the convertor.

youroo · 10-17-2015, 06:38 AM

Pipes and valve Heaters,Factory Op. 1 switch works ALL heaters!

Youroo!!

aceinspp · 10-17-2015, 07:13 AM

Thanks for the pics Youroo worth a thousand word. Later RJD

nomad297 · 10-17-2015, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youroo

Pipes and valve Heaters,Factory Op. 1 switch works ALL heaters!

Youroo!!

I have these pads on the gray and black plumbing exposed below the underbelly of my Windjammer, too. I thought it was a nice touch. I didn't know I had them until I actually looked hard at them to see what they were.

Bruce

youroo · 10-17-2015, 07:32 AM

I told RR Man that I would Lay under and Post Pics.of our Heat pads,now if he asks me to Drop the Belly for pics of ALL the Tank heaters He has gone To Far!

Youroo!!

nomad297 · 10-17-2015, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youroo

I told RR Man that I would Lay under and Post Pics.of our Heat pads,now if he asks me to Drop the Belly for pics of ALL the Tank heaters He has gone To Far!

Youroo!!

What about if a lot of people ask you? Will you take one for the team?

Bruce

youroo · 10-17-2015, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad297

What about if a lot of people ask you? Will you take one for the team?

Bruce

Nope I dropped the Belly when our unit was Brand New,to see where all the water was coming from,found a Body Grinder cut in the F/W tank! That was replaced with a New heater pad as well! The next time was at the Factory for a water pickup change,and they had ALL the items needed to change it and it took a LOT longer than 15 minute job as posted by others!

Youroo!!

cwppwc · 10-17-2015, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSchleder

PS- if you don't have the electric heaters ( 2 switches by kitchen sink) I'm sure you have furnace heating duct(s) in your tank area so you DO have some tank protection in colder weather. That's how our 2015 24RG tank heating was configured.

Thanks so much! I don't have the switches. The gentleman doing the PDI did say "heated tanks" and I misunderstood him based on my inexperience. Last year I used the electric fireplace to keep the chill off but when it starts freezing, I'll make sure to use the furnace too.

RSchleder · 10-17-2015, 05:00 PM

You got it- that's exactly the correct procedure to keep you and your tanks warm and cozy in freezing weather. Enjoy your great trailer, we love ours!

dadbizdoc · 10-17-2015, 05:57 PM

CWPPWC,
We have a new Wildcat 312 QBX and this issue also puzzled me. Our tank switch is red when on and is located with our other switches and I have taken a picture of it for you. One photo is an attempt to show you where they are (the slides are in) then there is one pic with the switch off and one with it on. I hope this helps!
Fred

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