Re: Winter Pack: Fresh & Waste Water Tank Heater

by maricardo Thu Oct 26, 2017 10:07 am

We put salt every so often down the sink waste. Kept our waste tank free in arctic conditions

by Windychippy Thu Nov 02, 2017 9:36 pm

Cymro wrote:That's right. There's is an isolating switch for each of the 2 blankets (one on grey water tank and one on fresh water). But beware that unless you're on mains, the battery drain will be considerable if left on overnight. There's thread about that on this Forum.

As has been pointed out, it takes a hard frost to freeze a tankful of water; the pipework will freeze sooner; and it's more likely to freeze if driving! (I don't know, but I think that - unlike the fridge which runs on 12v when engine is running - the blankets do not operate when engine is running. But that's a hunch; others can confirm / correct.

Cymro

Hi Cymro
Just in the process of draining down as just had first frost and then started reading about the tank blankets and how they work etc. Read your post and thought surely they work while driving (fridge does). Just been outside and started the van up with the blankets switched on and hey presto off goes the control panel so no working blankets while driving.
Does that mean when I go away end of November if frosty I can't take water with me, wait until on site, fill up, hook up and turn blankets on?
The book says blankets turn on at 7c and off at 18c.
Cheers Windy

by Cymro Thu Nov 02, 2017 10:20 pm

Windy: I fear that you're correct. Obviously depends upon how frosty, but I wouldn't risk it. We tend to carry just a few litres in a container, which can be used for drinking and washing and flushing. If on site for a few days,, we fill fresh tank and use heated blankets as long as we have mains electricity.

So much for the winter pack!

by Gromit Thu Nov 02, 2017 10:47 pm

I'm not sure if I'm talking rubbish here, but I always assume that the heat from the engine during transit will pass under the van and keep the tanks and pipework warm(ish).

I always fill up with water just before leaving home and have done so in some pretty cold weather. We've never had a problem on arrival, even after a trip to Pembrey which is 150 miles, so either the theory is correct (nearly said, "holds water" Whistle1

) or we've been very lucky.

I've never used the tank blankets either, although it would make sense when on hook up. Preventing a freeze up is far easier than trying to thaw one out.

by StewPotch Fri Nov 03, 2017 6:45 am

Dave,

I'm pretty sure the tanks will not freeze up as you drive due to the agitation alone.
Once on EHU the blankets can be switched on but as you say, the pipework itself is not frost protected so this could still freeze.

S

by Simmo Sun Nov 05, 2017 9:48 pm

Just a thought. I Must have another look tomorrow as can only remember seeing one isolating switch for both tanks on my Fairford it was behind the PSU under the front passenger seat. But another member says he has two isolating switches, which would definitely make more sense. If for any reason the fresh water tank had water, but the waste tank didn't, then a single switch would turn on both pads on both tanks on and possibly melt the waste tank through overheating.

by Windychippy Sun Nov 05, 2017 10:29 pm

Simmo wrote:Just a thought. I Must have another look tomorrow as can only remember seeing one isolating switch for both tanks on my Fairford it was behind the PSU under the front passenger seat. But another member says he has two isolating switches, which would definitely make more sense. If for any reason the fresh water tank had water, but the waste tank didn't, then a single switch would turn on both pads on both tanks on and possibly melt the waste tank through overheating.

Hi
The book says blankets turn on at 7c and off at 18c. so should not be a problem
Cheers Windy

by Cymro Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:42 am

Certainly on the Nuevo (2015) there are separate switches for each tank blanket - although it took a great deal of searching to find one of them. That for the fresh water tank is conspicuous - immediately above the hab door; but that for the waste tank is on the other side of the vehicle, underneath the o/s seat box, on the wardrobe side - a less convenient place really cannot be found! Why on earth they're not together baffles me!

So keep hunting in the Warwick!!

by GP1069 Mon Nov 06, 2017 5:11 pm

I think with only one red switch on the power supply as in my Warwick XL, that you can turn on and off the tank heaters from the control panel(EC480) but turn off the waste one with the switch thereby only using the fresh water heater.

by Simmo Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:55 pm

GP1069 wrote:I think with only one red switch on the power supply as in my Warwick XL, that you can turn on and off the tank heaters from the control panel(EC480) but turn off the waste one with the switch thereby only using the fresh water heater.

Hi and thanks and very helpful. That's exactly what I presumed on not being able to find the second fresh water tank heater isolating switch mentioned by Cymro. The Fairford instruction/ destruction manual says nothing about a second isolating switch for the fresh water tank. I know your Warwick only has one waste tank heater isolating switch as well, and I cannot see why there should be any change across the PVC models in the range because the tank heater blanket pads are a standard fit on PVC winterisation packs. Perhaps the coachbuilts including the Nuevo are different, and do have two isolating switches and it would be very nice to know for certain from a member who owns another late coachbuilt model. We can then put this thread to bed and all have a toasty xmas while cooking the frozen turkey in the van.
merry xmas

by GP1069 Tue Nov 07, 2017 8:46 pm

It maybe related to the controller used, the EC480 has the switch for them but older/different versions may have to be done manually by two switches, but that is guesswork.

No problem glad to help, Christmas away next year.

Now back to fixing the microwave in properly on new mounts.

by Simmo Tue Nov 07, 2017 9:27 pm

Gromit wrote:I would certainly agree Simmo, but they aren't on ours!!

I wants me money back!

How much do you want Gromit. Christmas is coming though, so values down by 50 %. I think that all the newer models are now lagged due to a few build complaints. cold

by Simmo Tue Nov 07, 2017 9:38 pm

GP1069 wrote:It maybe related to the controller used, the EC480 has the switch for them but older/different versions may have to be done manually by two switches, but that is guesswork.

No problem glad to help, Christmas away next year.

Now back to fixing the microwave in properly on new mounts.

Ah, the dreaded microwave mounts. May the force be with you, no on second thoughts call in the cavalry!! The last time it was attempted there where 16 dead and 25 admitted into hospital. diy

by GP1069 Wed Nov 08, 2017 7:40 pm

I really do mean new mounts, it had previously been re-fitted 2 times in 1 year prior to me buying it. Self tapping screws are a joke lol4

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

by Simmo Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:41 pm

GP1069 wrote:I really do mean new mounts, it had previously been re-fitted 2 times in 1 year prior to me buying it. Self tapping screws are a joke

Yeah I know you do mean new mounts and lovely shiny self tappers - hence, call in the cavalry...lol. As I said many members have expired trying to find a solution and god rest their souls. All the ones discharged from hospital had brain surgery before being disharged and some have never been the same since. Falling microwave ovens have a lot to answer for and are costing the NHS fortunes. Mind you, that mount and hex bolt looks
like the biz.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

by RichardB Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:27 pm

Windychippy wrote:hey presto off goes the control panel so no working blankets while driving.

I retro fitted these to a friends motorhome earlier this year. Following the advice from the manufacturer, we wired them directly to the leisure battery and not via the control panel so they have a constant 12v power (if there switched on) even when the van is driving and the normal cab electrics are turned off. Makes more sense to me to do it that way so you can keep them on when driving...

Out of interest, I need to lag some pipes on another van - is there anything specific that I should use to lag them or just whatever I can get form Screwfix!

Richard