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10-15-2018, 04:16 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid Missouri
Posts: 156
M.O.C. #19889
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Tank Heater(s) question
I have a 2017 353RL Montana High Country. On the interior electrical control panel I have a switch labeled "Tank Heater". I checked the owners manual, and as suspected, no mention of it. My questions are:
1. Is this a pad heater?
2. Which tanks have heaters?
3. Is there a thermostat involved, or is the heater always on if the switch is on? If a thermostat is involved, what is the setpoint, and is it adjustable?
4. Is the heater 12v or 110v?
Thanks for any help
__________________
2017 Montana High Country 353RL
2017 Silverado 3500HD DRW CC LB 6.6L Duramax
B&W Companion
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10-15-2018, 07:39 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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1- I cant emagine anything but a pad heater stuck to the tanks.
2- Just the holding tanks would have them (I would assume all). Not the fresh water tank
3- Thermostat ? Don't know, but I don't think so.
4- I would think 120 volt for sure.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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10-15-2018, 08:18 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,933
M.O.C. #20477
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Denny and Angie,
All 4 of my tanks (black, both grey and fresh) have pad heaters and individual switches (except gray controls both gray tanks). Not sure if there is a thermostat and they are 12 volt.
We tend to limit our camping to 20-80 degrees so I haven't had much use for them so far.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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10-15-2018, 08:38 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Wampum
Posts: 571
M.O.C. #9928
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I understand they are pads under the tanks. I have three blue switches for the tank heaters. They are labeled: Black, Gray, Fresh. The blue switch lights up when turned on without being plugged into 120 volts. But I'm not sure if the heaters actually come on with 12 volts or just activate a relay for the 120 volts heaters.
Our salesman told us the heaters will keep the tanks from freezing in most cases. But, if the tanks are already frozen they WILL NOT thaw them.
__________________
"What happens at camp stays at camp"
2018 3121RL
2016 Ford F350 SB SRW
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10-15-2018, 09:02 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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I find it weird that you only have one switch for all the tanks most have at least 3 of them we have 3 in are 2017 HM 352RL and they are pad heater and they are 12 volt heaters so you can use them if you Boon docking. we camp in the winter but have not had to use them yet!
__________________
Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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10-16-2018, 03:48 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid Missouri
Posts: 156
M.O.C. #19889
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BuilderBob
I find it weird that you only have one switch for all the tanks most have at least 3 of them we have 3 in are 2017 HM 352RL and they are pad heater and they are 12 volt heaters so you can use them if you Boon docking. we camp in the winter but have not had to use them yet!
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I agree its weird. Either 1 switch controls heaters for all 4 tanks, or only 1 tank has a heater. I would have expected 110v heater as they surely would deplete the batteries rather quickly. I guess I'm going to have to drop the coroplast to learn the truth.
__________________
2017 Montana High Country 353RL
2017 Silverado 3500HD DRW CC LB 6.6L Duramax
B&W Companion
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10-17-2018, 04:50 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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I certainly am not sure, but I would not think the heaters are 12 volt, simply because that would require an incredible amount of battery storage. But who knows.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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10-17-2018, 06:04 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,922
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beeje
1- I cant emagine anything but a pad heater stuck to the tanks.
2- Just the holding tanks would have them (I would assume all). Not the fresh water tank
3- Thermostat ? Don't know, but I don't think so.
4- I would think 120 volt for sure.
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Concerning the tank heaters on my Montana (can't speak for other models):
1. Yes, they are pad heaters
2. All of my tanks have heaters; switches for black, fresh and gray (one switch for both gray tanks)
3. Yes, the pads have thermostats
4. They are 12V.
These photos show the heater on my fresh water tank and the switches.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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10-17-2018, 07:14 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Well, I try to learn something new every day. !2 volt tank heaters, go figure. Even a fresh water tank heater.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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10-17-2018, 08:04 PM
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#10
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Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Illinois
Posts: 48
M.O.C. #19500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denny and Angie Miller
I agree its weird. Either 1 switch controls heaters for all 4 tanks, or only 1 tank has a heater. I would have expected 110v heater as they surely would deplete the batteries rather quickly. I guess I'm going to have to drop the coroplast to learn the truth.
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That single switch is only good for 20 amps and the 12V heaters will draw
10+ amps. Each heater pad would require a separate switch. I expect it serves one tank OR the switch controls a remote relay which will turn on multi-tank pads. With a relay they would not have to run heaver wire up to switch panel and of course more switches. But you would not be able to control which pads are on. Not good if one tank is empty.
My 353RL does not have tank heaters. Your switch is in the Generator Switch position on panel. I placed remote thermostats by my tanks to monitor temps. Have not camped in extended cold below freezing to be an issue. This post has me thinking more about it now though.
__________________
Dave & Kathy + Andi & Tucker (Golden Retrievers)
2017 Montana HC 353RL - Sailun S637's, Progressive EMS-HW50C
2017 Ford F350 Lariat CC 6.7L SRW LB, B&W Companion OEM puck mt.
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10-17-2018, 08:09 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,922
M.O.C. #19755
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Is it possible the High Country only has one tank heater? Not sure who would be able to provide that info.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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10-17-2018, 08:10 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,922
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beeje
Well, I try to learn something new every day. !2 volt tank heaters, go figure. Even a fresh water tank heater.
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I won't be trying to run them on batteries!
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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10-17-2018, 08:21 PM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Illinois
Posts: 48
M.O.C. #19500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz
I won't be trying to run them on batteries!
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TV will should charge trailer Batteries when on the road and shore power when camping, so not a issue unless boondocking then a generator will be needed for either 12V or 110V type heaters.
__________________
Dave & Kathy + Andi & Tucker (Golden Retrievers)
2017 Montana HC 353RL - Sailun S637's, Progressive EMS-HW50C
2017 Ford F350 Lariat CC 6.7L SRW LB, B&W Companion OEM puck mt.
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10-18-2018, 03:52 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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Without tank heaters it would take days below freezing for them to freeze. Last year we camped for 3 days that never got above 20 degrees f. I was not running the campers propane heat (used ceramic heaters) and we did have some tank freezing issues. I will not camp at those low temps again.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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10-20-2018, 07:20 AM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid Missouri
Posts: 156
M.O.C. #19889
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I'm really not worried about how long it will or wont take to freeze, I just like knowing the details of how everything works.
I'm going to pull the coroplast down and get definite answers. It might be a couple months before I get that done, but when I do, Ill post up the results.
__________________
2017 Montana High Country 353RL
2017 Silverado 3500HD DRW CC LB 6.6L Duramax
B&W Companion
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10-20-2018, 08:39 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 664
M.O.C. #10985
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Take the Coroplast down to satisfy your curiosity? I can't believe someone would go through that much trouble to find out about tank heaters. I'd pull the camper. to Florida or Texas before doing that.
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10-20-2018, 04:03 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,318
M.O.C. #17894
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I can assure of one thing. The more you know about your unit the better off you will be when something arises that has to be taken care of. Weather it be from yourself or someone else having to repairing it.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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10-21-2018, 06:54 AM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid Missouri
Posts: 156
M.O.C. #19889
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beeje
I can assure of one thing. The more you know about your unit the better off you will be when something arises that has to be taken care of. Weather it be from yourself or someone else having to repairing it.
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Yep. I do ALL my non-warranty repairs. I also enjoy making improvements. I'm not getting enough air flow from my furnace to the registers in the kitchen and living room. I took a peak under the coroplast and found each register has its own paper foil vent hose...kinked, too long, and a torturous path. I will be replacing as much paper foil type vent hose with the semi rigid and rigid type as possible. It will make duct cleaning a lot easier too. This is when I will investigate the tank heater questions I have.
The first 2 pics are of what I will be using. The 3rd pic is indicative of what you will find from the factory.
__________________
2017 Montana High Country 353RL
2017 Silverado 3500HD DRW CC LB 6.6L Duramax
B&W Companion
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10-21-2018, 08:18 AM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Your project should help a lot. One thing to remember, tank heaters are a new item. Many of us, in areas that get cold, got by for years without them.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-21-2018, 08:57 AM
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#20
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid Missouri
Posts: 156
M.O.C. #19889
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick
Your project should help a lot. One thing to remember, tank heaters are a new item. Many of us, in areas that get cold, got by for years without them.
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Yep. we have been fine w/o them for 15yrs....just really bothers me to have this feature and know absolutely nothing about it. It's my own fault....shoulda made them explain in the PDI, but with the answers I was getting on other things I already have reasonable knowledge of, I suspected the sales guy was winging it with his answers. I figured I would just figure it out later on my own...surely there would be some mention of it in the manual...(sarcasm alert)....
__________________
2017 Montana High Country 353RL
2017 Silverado 3500HD DRW CC LB 6.6L Duramax
B&W Companion
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