Tank Heater Help

[scuffer]

I'm new to the 'luxury' 5th wheel status. Lucky me! I'm trying to get details on the tank heaters in my trailer. I see the switch on the control board but I'm not sure of the whole scope of what it does (heats obviously), how and correct usage. Anyone know the best location for assistance.
Thanks,

[Wmoses]

It would be a good idea to say which 5th wheel you have (model and year) and also post a photo of the switches you are asking about. Chances are the switch is for the gas function of the water heater OR it could be for the heating pads on the tanks if that is what you have. Details should be on the paperwork, the spec page or the water heater itself. Your post is not at all clear.

[BooBoo23]

Are you referring to Black/Gray tanks or water heater? Some people have a tank heater switch but not wired to anything, as they found out. Did you get the "Artic package"?

[Slympicins]

Welcome to the forums. Okay scuffer I hear you but we all like pics of everything to give our educated answer. Remember pics are worth a thousand words. There are some many models it's almost impossible to pick what it is you need help with.

[F and E Damp]

Scuffer:

Our Georgetown MH came with the Arctic Pack. I have a .pdf of the data sheet for it. If you'd like a copy, send me an e-mail address in a private message.

My personal opinion is that it's a dumb design with potential for doing significant damage if the tanks are plastic, and for leaving you stranded with no house power. The installation on our MH was 2 pads each on the black tank and the grey tank. The pads aren't very big - maybe 8" x 4". They have integral thermostats that aren't adjustable.

When the circuit is active, the pads are turned on at 40F and off at 64F. Who needs to heat up the sewage to over 60 degrees?! The damage potential comes if the heaters fire up when the tanks are empty. They draw 7 amps each from the house 12Vdc system, so that was 28A for the four pads on my MH.

There's no logic to check if the tanks have liquid in them, so 84 watts into 32 square inches of polyethylene tank material could melt through if the tanks are empty.

[donanddona]

Well put F and E, the DW and I loved the Puget Sound area while station at the PSN shipyard.