Tank Heater Pads - RV-Dreams Community Forum

mtroast · RV-Dreams Community Member

Tank Heater Pads

RickandJanice · RV-Dreams Family Member

We do not have heater pads but I think they are installed on all three tanks. In that cold of weather, I would recommend either hanging an old fashion trouble light in the accessory area behind the access doors and close to the water manifold or set up a small ceramic disk heater in the storage bay pointed back into the accessory area and leave an access door open to that area to allow heat to flow back under the floor. I opted for the heater idea and set it up about 18" from the water manifold in the storage bay. Never had a problem when temps dropped below zero before we got out of Ohio this past December and as stated, we do not have heating pads on any tanks.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

There is a new problem with heating with an automotive drop light. The new regulations went into effect on incandescent light bulbs and those are the best bulbs for generating heat. I am using a drop light to heat an outside box over our fresh water hydrants. I don't know if it is true, but I heard that "rough service" incandescent bulbs were not outlawed by the incandescent bulb ban, even though they are also incandescent lights. Also, as Rick stated, the heater would probably be the best option, unless someone else can come up with a better one.

Terry

01zeosix · RV-Dreams Family Member

According to my build sheet, for a 2008 MS, it was an add-on item 5819 - "Dual 6v Batteries" and "heat pads on all 3 tanks". The thermostatically controlled single rocker switch is in the lower section of your entry door cabinet.

Following advise from bjoyce I installed a Farm Innovators Thermo Cube Thermostatically Controlled Outlet and a My Heat Personal Ceramic Heater in the water inlet bay. Works great. Very easy to use and store.

Hope this helps-

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks so much for all of your help! We finally did get everything thawed so we have running water again. I will be so glad when Spring gets here!

Dave Buck · RV-Dreams Family Member

01zeosix wrote:
Following advise from bjoyce I installed a Farm Innovators Thermo Cube Thermostatically Controlled Outlet and a My Heat Personal Ceramic Heater in the water inlet bay. Works great. Very easy to use and store.
Hope this helps-

I have this same set up. Haven't been in any extreme cold since I got it but we have had a couple of days with high in the low 20's and kept everything from freezing. I also have a remote thermometer I keep by the water manifold.

Lonney Wade · RV-Dreams Family Member

When my son had a Carpet cleaning business for ten years, it was a F250 Ford van and in the winter the carpet cleaning machine, water lines and 100 gallon water tank had to stay warm so we used a red heat light or lamp that used 250 watts, cost was about $10.00 each (we got at Lowe's) when it got down to maybe 10 degrees we would put a second heat light on and that would keep the van about 55 to 65 degrees, we also used a wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer to keep an eye on the temp.

Lonney