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10-28-2014, 08:26 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
Sacramento
, California
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 108
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Tank Heaters
We're getting ready to get into some possibly below freezing temperatures tonight. Does anyone know how the tank heaters work? Are they electric? Do I need to turn on the propane? Also, do they need to be turned on while actually traveling down the road or just when we're stopped?
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10-28-2014, 08:38 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2002 31' Classic
Currently Looking...
Monroe
, Iowa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 649
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In my experience, the OAT needs to get below freezing for more than 24 hours before you have any trouble with tanks or water lines freezing. So, I wouldn't worry too much if you don't find an answer to your question.
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10-28-2014, 08:44 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2003 22' International CCD
Kiln
, Mississippi
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,779
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You can always pour RV antifreeze in the grey and black tanks to keep them from freezing. Might help to let some flow out the waste gates to get some in there.
I don't like putting the stuff in the fresh water tank although we rarely use that for drinking and I sanitze it twice a year with bleach in case we have to.
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Michael & Tina with Layla and Preston BZ The family has grown. 2003 22' INTERNATIONAL CCD
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10-28-2014, 09:05 AM
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#4
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Newbie
2013 Interstate Coach
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 290
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The tank heaters are electric, but they are relatively low powered and their current draw is modest. If you are traveling down the road in freezing weather it would probably be a good idea to have the tank heaters on. Just because you are moving does not reduce the likelihood of freezing.
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Make errors — otherwise the Great Spirit realizes
you have finished your purpose on earth.
— Navajo saying
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10-28-2014, 11:45 AM
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#5
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lamato
We're getting ready to get into some possibly below freezing temperatures tonight. Does anyone know how the tank heaters work? Are they electric?
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Tank heaters are electric, but best used on shore or generator power. They will run your house batteries stony dead in less than six hours if you run them off the batteries. I'd drive with empty tanks, fill your fresh tank when you get to your destination, and take in the hose. Then run the tank heaters and furnace while you're parked overnight.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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10-28-2014, 11:57 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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I don't believe the tank heaters will prevent the dump valves from freezing.
Antifreeze or dry tanks are a better option.
While the motion of travel may keep the tanks from freezing. There is not much motion at the dump valves.
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10-28-2014, 12:34 PM
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#7
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TG Twinkie
I don't believe the tank heaters will prevent the dump valves from freezing.
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The dump valves on an Interstate are on the tanks themselves, and are protected by the heaters. HOWEVER, the macerator pump isn't protected, and WILL freeze! That happened to me while I was camping last New Year's weekend.
Also not protected is the check valve on the black tank flush fitting (which only matters if you've actually used the flush fitting before; if not it's dry and not an issue), or the check valve on the municipal water intake. Both check valves are in positions where interior heat can't get to them to warm them.
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I thought getting old would take longer!
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10-29-2014, 02:58 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 749
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The dump valves on my 2013 Interstate are about a foot away from the black and gray tanks.....in the drain piping. Not sure about other years.
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FMCA # 436814
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10-29-2014, 03:19 PM
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#9
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toskeysam
The dump valves on my 2013 Interstate are about a foot away from the black and gray tanks.....in the drain piping. Not sure about other years.
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Close enough to the tanks that the tank heaters will keep them warm, especially if there's enough fluid in the tanks to ensure the valves are completely submerged. Ice forms on the water surface, not underwater.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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10-29-2014, 03:20 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 749
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Yes...we would not be here if ice were heavier than water
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FMCA # 436814
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10-29-2014, 03:45 PM
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#11
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toskeysam
Yes...we would not be here if ice were heavier than water
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So you've also read Nobel prize winner George Wald's lectures from the 1960s? Kewl!
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I thought getting old would take longer!
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10-29-2014, 07:22 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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I don't want to start an argument. BUT!
When I am chopping ice a foot+ thick in a stock tank at 0 F. It is hard to believe that ice only forms on the surface.
If don't have anti freeze in the tanks and you are driving in temps approaching 0. That 1 foot of pipe will not be protected. Especially if it is exposed.
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10-29-2014, 07:28 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 749
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As you can confirm...tanks and exposed surfaces do get "skin" freezing in cold temps....very cold temperatures
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FMCA # 436814
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10-29-2014, 07:39 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Holly Lake Ranch
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,794
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TG Twinkie
I don't want to start an argument. BUT!
When I am chopping ice a foot+ thick in a stock tank at 0 F. It is hard to believe that ice only forms on the surface.
If don't have anti freeze in the tanks and you are driving in temps approaching 0. That 1 foot of pipe will not be protected. Especially if it is exposed.
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I guess technically the surface of the water is always below the ice, no matter how thick the ice
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Dana and Olga
2006 Safari 23
2011 Tundra Double Cab
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10-29-2014, 09:14 PM
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#15
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TG Twinkie
I don't want to start an argument. BUT!
When I am chopping ice a foot+ thick in a stock tank at 0 F. It is hard to believe that ice only forms on the surface.
If don't have anti freeze in the tanks and you are driving in temps approaching 0. That 1 foot of pipe will not be protected. Especially if it is exposed.
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Perhaps you forgot about the fact that we're discussing heated tanks in an Interstate? As long as the heaters are on, the water in the tanks will be at a temperature between 40°F and 45°F. The valves will not freeze if they are a foot from the heated tanks, because the water will not get below freezing just one foot from the heating element.
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I thought getting old would take longer!
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10-29-2014, 09:51 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 749
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But rabbit-trails can be sooo much fun...
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FMCA # 436814
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10-31-2014, 05:52 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 749
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Heading into the Smoky Mountains this weekend. We will get freezing temperatures and snow for several hours(according to NOAA). After all I have seen in this forum I have no worries. Blowing the tanks, filling drains with antifreeze, turning on the tank heaters, and keeping coach warm..... Will blow again before leaving, but should be warmer by then. Many thanks to all of those folks with experience.
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FMCA # 436814
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10-31-2014, 08:53 AM
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#18
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AIR #6370
2001 27' Safari
Bella Vista
, Arkansas
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 68
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When winterizing and after draining the black and gray water tanks, I add a half gallon of the blue windshield washer antifreeze to each tank. Get the stuff for -32* or -50*. Its cheap and doesn't effect the rubber gaskets in the dump valves. Caution: Do NOT use this stuff in any of the fresh water lines or the fresh water tank.
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10-31-2014, 09:32 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2013 Interstate Coach
Townsend
, Tennessee
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 749
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I use Prestone RV antifreeze. It's good to -50F and is non-toxic.
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FMCA # 436814
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10-31-2014, 05:19 PM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
Sacramento
, California
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 108
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We made it through one night of 25 degree weather. Thanks for all the help and tips.
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