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Old 11-13-2016, 01:14 PM   #1
DAVID A NEWBERRY
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M.O.C. #18920
Heated holding tanks?

We have a 2015 Montana 3402RL. I know we have a heated storage area but how do I know if we have heated holding tanks?

Here is the configuration for our unit:

*

Full Body Paint (Tan/Black)

Moving To Montana Package

Paramount Package

Full Time Living Package

Leather Furniture Package

Decor - Montana: Copper Patina

Correct Track

Fantastic Vent Fan - Kitchen

30" Convection Microwave

6 Point Hydraulic Auto Leveling

Mor Ryde Hitch Pin

2nd Air Conditioner - 13.5 BTU Low Profile

12 Cubic Foot Side By Side Refrigerator

Fireplace

Central Vacuum

Hi-Back Desk Chair w/ Step Ladder

Free Standing Dinette and Chairs

King Bed

End Table and Lamp

RVIA Seal - Go Camping

State Seal: blank/none

 
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Old 11-13-2016, 01:53 PM   #2
DQDick
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In the old days the brochure said this: »The floor is insulated with a layer of heat refective astro-Foil plus a layer of fiberglass insulation equaling an r-21 value. Most importantly, the water lines are installed between the floor joists, near the heat duct and above all of the insulation and the heated underbelly.
»The holding tanks and dump valves are completely enclosed, insulated and heated.
By that they meant that the tanks were heated by residual heat from the ductwork. Some of the owners of the newer rigs seem to feel they have actual tank heaters, but I've never heard Keystone say that.
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Old 11-13-2016, 02:09 PM   #3
Mr Pachu
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My 2015 3790RD has 3 switches in the control cabinet marked tank heaters for the grey and black tanks and the fresh water tank is heated by the furnace.
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Old 11-13-2016, 02:26 PM   #4
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Hi David,

We have a 2015 3160RL with the Legacy package, part of which includes tank heaters for the gray, black, and fresh water tanks. In the cabinet with all the switches and tank level indicators, we have three blue switches that are marked "Tank Heaters". In our fuse panel we also have three 12v fuses marked "Tank".

The heaters are actually 12vdc 65watt electric heating pads stuck to the bottom of the tanks near the tank drains, running along the length of the tank. They are thermostaticly controlled to come on at 45 and go off at 65 degrees when you flip the switches.

If you don't have the extra switches, fuses, and an instruction manual for the tank heaters, I would assume your 5er does not have them.

Dave
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Old 11-13-2016, 11:15 PM   #5
BiigDaddy
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My '17 3710FL has 3 switches, one for each tank.
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Old 11-14-2016, 02:50 AM   #6
WaltBennett
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Mr Pachu

My 2015 3790RD has 3 switches in the control cabinet marked tank heaters for the grey and black tanks and the fresh water tank is heated by the furnace.
Unless you've got these switches, you DON'T have heated tanks. Also, the 'heated' basement & lines is only if you're running the furnace - that's where the heat comes from.
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Old 11-14-2016, 01:02 PM   #7
TLightning
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I don't care what you do or have, if it's cold enough stuff will freeze. On one trip we had the T handles to the tanks freeze...but it was eight degrees.
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Old 12-07-2017, 01:58 PM   #8
gkonney
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We have a 2016 300RE Legacy Edition which features In Command - the Jury is still out trying to determine if we like that touch screen and Phone application over the old rocker switches. It has locked up several times on us. My question is what do the three small switches above it actually do? There is also a large home style rocker switch that turns on the Ceiling Fan. The Factory Technicians at the Rally did not know...we have 1 fresh, 2 gray and 1 black tank
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Old 12-07-2017, 10:59 PM   #9
Carl n Susan
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The three small switches are for the tank heaters.
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Old 12-08-2017, 08:48 AM   #10
gkonney
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Could someone please elaborate a little bit more about these switches? We have no documentation showing our Rig having Tank Heaters. And, if these switches are in fact for Tank Heaters, when they are on are they on all the time in the Summer as well or do the Strips have thermostats (when powered) and come on only when it is below 35 F?
Thanks
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Old 12-08-2017, 09:49 AM   #11
cw3jason
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gkonney View Post
Could someone please elaborate a little bit more about these switches? We have no documentation showing our Rig having Tank Heaters. And, if these switches are in fact for Tank Heaters, when they are on are they on all the time in the Summer as well or do the Strips have thermostats (when powered) and come on only when it is below 35 F?
Thanks
Yes, if you turn them on, they will be on all the time. there is no thermostat for them. do not use if tanks are empty. there must be liquid in the tanks.

your furnace is enough to keep the belly warm and prevent freezing. the tank heaters are in addition to the furnace and allow you to get that zero degree rating if you care to camp where it gets that cold.
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Old 12-08-2017, 05:53 PM   #12
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My 3 tank heater switches illuminate blue.
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Old 06-03-2018, 03:21 PM   #13
DebNJim B
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2018 3731FL, I have the switches but didn't use for most of the winter because I thought they would be continuously on. Had no problems with temps down to 15 at night. Then I read the manual and realized they are thermostatically controled. Seems I didn't need them though when on shore power, but it would be good when traveling in below freezing temps.
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Old 06-03-2018, 04:10 PM   #14
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Check for tank heater switches, if you have the switch, you have heaters, no switch no heaters.
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Old 06-03-2018, 11:04 PM   #15
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The current Montana Features list does indicate, that with the Four Season Living Package, they do indeed have electric heaters for the tanks.
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Old 10-26-2023, 08:21 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Starmaster View Post
Hi David,

We have a 2015 3160RL with the Legacy package, part of which includes tank heaters for the gray, black, and fresh water tanks. In the cabinet with all the switches and tank level indicators, we have three blue switches that are marked "Tank Heaters". In our fuse panel we also have three 12v fuses marked "Tank".

The heaters are actually 12vdc 65watt electric heating pads stuck to the bottom of the tanks near the tank drains, running along the length of the tank. They are thermostaticly controlled to come on at 45 and go off at 65 degrees when you flip the switches.

If you don't have the extra switches, fuses, and an instruction manual for the tank heaters, I would assume your 5er does not have them.

Dave
Hi - The manual which came with our rig when we bought it does not indicate which tank heater switch goes to which tank heater. We have two gray tanks, 1 black, 1 fresh. How do I know which of the three switches go to which tank? We are permanent for several months and don't use the fresh water tank so don't want to burn up an empty tank. In Central Oregon and our temps are below freezing for this next week.... Thanks,
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Old 10-26-2023, 10:41 PM   #17
rohrmann
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The tank heaters are thermostatically controlled and shouldn’t melt any of the tanks. Our rig doesn’t have tank heaters and we survived low teen temperatures and just used the furnace which provides heat to the belly of these rigs. If you are worried about using the tank heaters, just don’t turn them on.
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Old 10-27-2023, 05:14 AM   #18
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GDales - when you post questions to the forum - always include your RV model and year. That info will insure you get the best responses.
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Old 10-27-2023, 08:34 AM   #19
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And welcome to the MOC. The heaters don't get hot enough to melt anything anyway.
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