Leaving HP on when connected to shore power

[stephencamiolo]

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


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[tmmar]

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.

[stephencamiolo]

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


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[CT Camper]

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?

[tmmar]

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.

[CT Camper]

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.

[stephencamiolo]

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!


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[TwiceTheIce]

Remove the water filter housing and leave off.

[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

[MOODMAN]

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.

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

[Crusadernoob]

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.

[lefaivre]

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

[Witch Doctor]

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.

[BamaBob]

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

[SlowrideHD]

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.

[I-RV]

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

[stephencamiolo]

Thanks everyone for the input!
I was able to keep my coach from freezing with all the tips. Heading south to Florida tomorrow.


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[tmmar]

Have a safe trip and enjoy the warm weather!!

[mikeborny]

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

[tmmar]

Mike,
What you did should take care of the water heater. Nothing else to do to winterize them.