Testing Tank/Drain Heating Pads

[nomad297]

How would a person go about testing the operation of their tank and drain heating pads, assuming there is access to the pads and the wiring for them?

Thanks,

Bruce

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by nomad297

How would a person go about testing the operation of their tank and drain heating pads, assuming there is access to the pads and the wiring for them?

Thanks,

Bruce

First check to see if power is going to the pads when tank heater switch is on.

Since pads have integral thermostats to further test you will need to wait until weather cold enough to turn on the heating function. Usually temps below 40 degrees will trigger the thermostat.

Another way, if you have a current measuring meter or battery monitor, is to wait for a freezing day and measure the current going to the pads. Tank heater pads draw approximately 4-5 amps and are switched by internal thermostats. Elbow heaters are only low wattage (7-11 watts) and draw less than one as a rule. The elbow heaters are not thermostatically controlled and can be checked on non-freezing days.

If one doesn't have a current measuring battery monitor a clamp type DC ammeter (and multimeter) is available on Amazon under the brand name "Tacklife" for ~ $33. The clamp "probe" makes it easy to measure current in a wire without having to put a meter in series.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

First check to see if power is going to the pads when tank heater switch is on.

Since pads have integral thermostats to further test you will need to wait until weather cold enough to turn on the heating function. Usually temps below 40 degrees will trigger the thermostat.

Another way, if you have a current measuring meter or battery monitor, is to wait for a freezing day and measure the current going to the pads. Tank heater pads draw approximately 4-5 amps and are switched by internal thermostats. Elbow heaters are only low wattage (7-11 watts) and draw less than one as a rule. The elbow heaters are not thermostatically controlled and can be checked on non-freezing days.
2
If one doesn't have a current measuring battery monitor a clamp type DC ammeter (and multimeter) is available on Amazon under the brand name "Tacklife" for ~ $33. The clamp "probe" makes it easy to measure current in a wire without having to put a meter in series.

Thank you. I suppose I would also need some sort of sensitive thermometer to see if the pads are actually heating, wouldn’t I — even if I check for current and amperage? Or should they get warm enough to be able feel the warmth by touch?

Bruce

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Thank you. I suppose I would also need some sort of sensitive thermometer to see if the pads are actually heating, wouldn’t I — even if I check for current and amperage? Or should they get warm enough to be able feel the warmth by touch?

Bruce

If the pads are drawing current it's pretty much assured that they are heating. The only other alternative would be a short and then current would only flow until the fuse blows.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

If the pads are drawing current it's pretty much assured that they are heating. The only other alternative would be a short and then current would only flow until the fuse blows.

Thank you!

Bruce