|
|
11-21-2015, 01:22 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 77
|
Leaving HP on when connected to shore power
My coach is at the storage facility. It hasn't been winterized because we're taking it to Florida in 2 weeks. The temp is suppose to drop to 28 tonight. The temps are ranging from 28-34 at night to 40-60 during the day. It's covered on 3 sides but exposed at the front. I have a 30 amp service. I was going to turn the heat pump on around 60 and the tank heaters and leave it like that until we leave. Has anyone ever done that before to prevent anything from freezing? Any other tips
Thanks
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
11-21-2015, 01:28 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
|
With the temps at 28-34 at night, that is too cold for the heat pump to work. Even at around 40 during the day, that is marginal for the heat pump to work. I think if you would put a small heater inside the coach, that would probably warm the coach enough to keep the temps inside above freezing and would prevent freezing.
__________________
Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60
|
|
|
11-21-2015, 01:32 PM
|
#3
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 77
|
Thank you!
I have a small space heater that blows and doesn't have a red hot center. I'll try that. Thanks for the advice
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
11-21-2015, 01:38 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 195
|
You can always leave your rear furnace on 40 degrees and keep the cargo lights on for a bit more heat. Do you have tank heaters?
|
|
|
11-21-2015, 02:02 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
|
CT,
OP stated that he put his tank heaters on. Also, if he leaves the furnace on, that will use up propane while a small electric heater will not.
__________________
Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60
|
|
|
11-21-2015, 02:27 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 195
|
Missed that part. Being plugged in a small space heater may be the way to go. I do like the fact that our furnace will kick on all the way down to 40 degrees for a bit of extra security.
|
|
|
11-21-2015, 02:35 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 77
|
Thanks guys!
I turned the tank heaters on, plugged in a small oscillating space heater and left the cargo lights on. I plan on going by in the morning to check on everything.
Thanks for the tips!
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
11-21-2015, 04:24 PM
|
#8
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 79
|
Remove the water filter housing and leave off.
__________________
2016 Berkshire XLT 43a
|
|
|
11-21-2015, 04:44 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
Posts: 1,024
|
Stephen; I'm not trying to throw a wet blanket on the conversation, but if you get a hard freeze (below mid-20's) and lasting in the daylight hours you may be vulnerable. Heaters inside are not going to protect your water heater (which I presume is tankless) which just has a metal door with vents to the outside.
You may do a good job in protecting 90%, but you don't want a broken fitting to get you. Again I am talking about a hard freeze.
I blow out the lines (you need regulator on the air supply) and it takes 20 minutes. During the blow-out, each utility valve must be opened; hot and cold. Then dump a cup of anti freeze in each trap. Don't forget the toilet, shower, outside shower and washer (if you ever had water in that circuit).
You did not mention your motorhome type and when you are heading south.
Just more thoughts for you to consider.
Hank
__________________
Gale & Hank- 2012 Berkshire 390BH
|
|
|
11-22-2015, 03:19 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 446
|
Just putting a heater in the coach won't protect the pipes in the under belly. You need to have warm air blowing in that space, and can only do that if your furnace is blowing air through the ducts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by I-RV
Stephen; I'm not trying to throw a wet blanket on the conversation, but if you get a hard freeze (below mid-20's) and lasting in the daylight hours you may be vulnerable. Heaters inside are not going to protect your water heater (which I presume is tankless) which just has a metal door with vents to the outside.
You may do a good job in protecting 90%, but you don't want a broken fitting to get you. Again I am talking about a hard freeze.
I blow out the lines (you need regulator on the air supply) and it takes 20 minutes. During the blow-out, each utility valve must be opened; hot and cold. Then dump a cup of anti freeze in each trap. Don't forget the toilet, shower, outside shower and washer (if you ever had water in that circuit).
You did not mention your motorhome type and when you are heading south.
Just more thoughts for you to consider.
Hank
|
|
|
|
11-22-2015, 03:54 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 806
|
A few hours of below freezing shouldn't be enough to actually freeze anything, it needs to stay below freezing longer than a few hours to cause damage, if it's getting above freezing during the day and only below freezing briefly, I wouldn't worry about it. Below freezing all day, I'd winterize.
__________________
2006 2500HD CCSB 2WD 2014 Crusader 285RET
Nights camped in 2013 - not enough!, 2014 37, 2015 40, 2016 39, 2017 38, 2018 36, 2019 37, 2020 26, 2021 28
|
|
|
11-23-2015, 02:14 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 440
|
Be careful ... if you look at the expansion coefficient of water it actually shrinks or contracts as temp decreases .... except ... very near the freezing point. It is actually very close to the freezing point were your risk is highest
|
|
|
11-23-2015, 02:47 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
|
I always put 1 heater in the unit and 1 heater in the storage area set at 45, then you will be just fine with the tank heaters on. I have only winterized once and that was last year when the temps in the day where going to stay below freezing. Other then that it works great.
__________________
Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
|
|
|
11-23-2015, 09:34 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
|
One final tip - put a shop light or some other source of heat in your water manifold compartment - that should keep the pipes from freezing
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
|
|
|
11-23-2015, 10:13 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 1,140
|
I don't winterize my fifth wheel. I just turn the heat on and set it to 40 degrees F. The HP runs down to about 35 and the gas furnace kicks on below that. I only used one 30lb tank of propane last winter. I am in north Alabama so the winters aren't very cold except for a few weeks in Jan-Feb (usually). The warm air circulating keeps everything from freezing. It's a lot less trouble than blowing out lines or using anti-freeze. And it's always ready to go.
__________________
2016 F350 CC Dually Powerstroke 4x4
2014 Cedar Creek 34RLSA w/Level Up
2007 HD Ultra Classic 103
USS Pyro AE-24 WestPac MM2 '71-'75
|
|
|
11-23-2015, 08:06 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
Posts: 1,024
|
I believe that one needs to deal with the peculiarities of their rig. The many suggestions from non-Berkshire posters may not be applicable. For instance, the rear mounted tankless heater and rear bath Berkshire models are not going to be helped with heaters in the water bay, tank bay, cargo bay and living area.
Hank
__________________
Gale & Hank- 2012 Berkshire 390BH
|
|
|
11-30-2015, 09:01 AM
|
#17
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 77
|
Thanks everyone for the input!
I was able to keep my coach from freezing with all the tips. Heading south to Florida tomorrow.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
|
|
|
11-30-2015, 09:42 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
|
Have a safe trip and enjoy the warm weather!!
__________________
Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60
|
|
|
11-30-2015, 01:20 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 271
|
Just had my coach winterized for winter. How do you winterize a tankless water heater? I had lines blown out and antifreeze run through all the lines. Am I missing something regarding the tankless waterheater?
Mike & Amy + 3 and the dogs!
2014 berkshire 390bh-40
|
|
|
11-30-2015, 03:15 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Island (Nassau County), NY
Posts: 4,352
|
Mike,
What you did should take care of the water heater. Nothing else to do to winterize them.
__________________
Tom and Margaret
2014 Berkshire 390bh-60
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|