Tank heaters

[Jester]

One quick question,
My wife asked me tonite if I had checked the heaters on the three tanks.
What is the easiest way to know if they are working properly?

[DQDick]

That's a wonderful question and I'm not sure how you could do that without dropping the coroplast and checking the voltage use. On the other hand, many of us who predate tank heaters did plenty of winter camping and never knew we needed them. Unless you were in temps well below what most of us would be willing to deal with without going south and you use your furnace you shouldn't have an issue.

[Jester]

Good advise but I’ll let you explain that to my wife.
Do you know what I mean? Lol

[RMcNeal]

Jester, I've never had one die, but I was told that the blue light in the switch will go out even when it's on if the heating pad is not pulling a voltage. I hope that's true because I had the same question.

[Jester]

I hope that’s true cause I’ve seen switches that lite when ever power is put to 5hen, not when there a current. The lite in the switch in an on and off indicator.

[wjg315]

I have them but never turned them on. We are full-time in our monty but are not completely retired so we stay where we are and it has gotten below 0 on more than one occasion. I do have vinyl skirting around the entire unit.

[Jester]

The sad part about this is that “I SPEND THE WINTERS IN FLORIDA”.
I don’t need to worry about if they work or not.
But I’m married and after have the whole refrigerator replaced at 3 months old, she needs to know what else isn’t working properly while it’s still under warranty.
See what in mean?

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by Jester

The sad part about this is that “I SPEND THE WINTERS IN FLORIDA”.
I don’t need to worry about if they work or not.
But I’m married and after have the whole refrigerator replaced at 3 months old, she needs to know what else isn’t working properly while it’s still under warranty.
See what in mean?

Jester, In light of all the new information on how the tank heaters work I see you having two choices. 1. Tell her you are going to have to stay in a place a hell of a lot colder than she wants to verify it is working. Or 2, and my choice, Lie to her and tell her everything is working fine. (Mind you in this political season based on all the commercials, Lying is acceptable and obviously Politically Correct)
You make the call.

[Arkware]

Good one JimCol!

[Jester]

Originally Posted by Arkware

Good one JimCol!

I hoping she just forgets about the whole thing...

[Roy & Georgia]

That’s just funny!

[Montana Man]

I'm not a fan of cutting coroplast but cut a flap under the tanks and simply feel the heating pad. Or peel it down from the sides and use an ir thermometer.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Make sure you ample liquid in tanks if you turn them on

[RMcNeal]

I guess you could pull the switch and use a clamp on meter to see if it is pulling amperage. That way, you'll know something is happening. I'd rather do that than cut the coroplast.

[Jester]

I’m going to pull the fuse for the power inverter and disconnect the neg battery terminal from the battery. Than put an meter from the post to the terminal and flip the switches on and off to see the draw. If they are working there should be a substantial increase.
I didn’t just fall of a melon truck on my way from Long Island. Lol.
Be safe, everyone.

[jimcol]

I wonder if they have electronics in them to not come on until the air around the tank reaches a certain temp even with the switch on? I know a lot of the pipe heat tapes work that way. Sure would conserve a bunch of battery.

[RMcNeal]

I found my booklet that goes with mine. It says they are thermostatically controlled and designed to come on at 45 degrees and turn off at 67 degrees. It says it will continually cycle to prevent freezing. Rated 13.5v DC 4.8 Amps and 65 Watts.
They are ThermaHeat brand name

[jeannewalk]

Hi! We are full-timing and currently outside of Houston. We have a 2016 KEYSTONE MONTANA 3950BR. We are living through the epic winter freeze down here and without power to the rv for three days with below freezing temps at night. We did not turn on the tanks heaters. Our two grey water tanks are empty and fresh water is about 1/4 full. Now our black water tank is FULL. Husband feels sure that the valve to empty tank is frozen. Not sure about the condition of the sewer hose. We always leave the grey water tanks empty (separate valve and always open except when dumping black water). With that being said, would it do me any good to turn on the tank heaters (which are not marked) to heat the black water tank. Hubby doesn't want me to pull on that valve and possibly break it....that would be a disaster! Black water showing FULL and grey waters showing EMPTY. I pray I have made 'sense'. Help a little old lady out and keep me out of trouble with hubby!!! Thanks!

[RMcNeal]

Here's a photo of the manual page for the heating pad.

[jimcol]

A very wise man once told me, "She will forget, until it is to her advantage to not forget."