Arctic Package on SVF285RL

[Hilton]

Does anyone know what the artic package really means. I have 3 switches in the control box marked Tank heaters. One for 'fresh' 'gray' 'black'. I would like to know the specs on the heaters.

Thanks

[F and E Damp]

I have that system. To a Brit like me an "artic" is a tractor-trailer rig (ahort for "articulated lorry"). The documentation spells "Arctic" correclty.

If it's the same system as I have, there are resistance-heater pads stuck on the outside of the tanks. Mine doesn't include the potable water tank, since it's inside a cupboard in the bedroom.

They have built-in non-adjustable thermostats that switch ON when they sense the tank dropping below 40F and OFF when they sense 64F. They're 12 Volts DC powered and draw 7 amps (less for smaller ones). Each tank in my GT has two pads.

I can't see letting something draw 28 Amps out of the house batteries to heat the sewage up to 64 degrees. We don't camp in cold weather, so I disconnected the system. Some folks reckon the pads don't get hot enough to damage the plastic holding tanks if they were switched on when the tanks were empty, but I'm less than fully convinced.

[trudinator]

The tank warmers don't get hot enough to melt anything. We turn ours on if its going to get below freezing. If you fall/winter camp they are a great option in northern climates. If you winter camp for an extended period, and dont have the tank heaters, the best deterrent to feeezing is to keep a full tank for your fresh water. You can flush your toilet with RV antifreeze.

[Ford Idaho]

Various melting points of different types of plastic:

The melting point of HDPE (High Density Polyethelyne) is about 130 ºC
The melting point of LDPE (Low Density Polyethelyne) is about 110 ºC
The melting point of PET (Polyethylene terphthalate) is about 250—260 ºC
The melting point of PP (Polypropylene) is about 160—170 ºC
The melting point of PS (Polystyrene) is about 70—115 ºC
The melting point of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is about 75—90 ºC

At what temperature does plastic melt (Celsius)? - Yahoo! Answers