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Old 10-04-2020, 06:19 PM   #1
Jester
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Tank heaters

One quick question,
My wife asked me tonite if I had checked the heaters on the three tanks.
What is the easiest way to know if they are working properly?
 
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Old 10-04-2020, 06:41 PM   #2
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That's a wonderful question and I'm not sure how you could do that without dropping the coroplast and checking the voltage use. On the other hand, many of us who predate tank heaters did plenty of winter camping and never knew we needed them. Unless you were in temps well below what most of us would be willing to deal with without going south and you use your furnace you shouldn't have an issue.
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Old 10-04-2020, 06:43 PM   #3
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Good advise but I’ll let you explain that to my wife.
Do you know what I mean? Lol
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Old 10-05-2020, 05:04 AM   #4
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Jester, I've never had one die, but I was told that the blue light in the switch will go out even when it's on if the heating pad is not pulling a voltage. I hope that's true because I had the same question.
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Old 10-05-2020, 06:02 AM   #5
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I hope that’s true cause I’ve seen switches that lite when ever power is put to 5hen, not when there a current. The lite in the switch in an on and off indicator.
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Old 10-05-2020, 06:04 AM   #6
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I have them but never turned them on. We are full-time in our monty but are not completely retired so we stay where we are and it has gotten below 0 on more than one occasion. I do have vinyl skirting around the entire unit.
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Old 10-05-2020, 06:15 AM   #7
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The sad part about this is that “I SPEND THE WINTERS IN FLORIDA”.
I don’t need to worry about if they work or not.
But I’m married and after have the whole refrigerator replaced at 3 months old, she needs to know what else isn’t working properly while it’s still under warranty.
See what in mean?
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Old 10-05-2020, 06:54 AM   #8
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I'm not a fan of cutting coroplast but cut a flap under the tanks and simply feel the heating pad. Or peel it down from the sides and use an ir thermometer.
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Old 10-05-2020, 06:35 PM   #9
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Make sure you ample liquid in tanks if you turn them on
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Old 10-06-2020, 04:47 AM   #10
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I guess you could pull the switch and use a clamp on meter to see if it is pulling amperage. That way, you'll know something is happening. I'd rather do that than cut the coroplast.
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Old 10-06-2020, 04:54 AM   #11
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I’m going to pull the fuse for the power inverter and disconnect the neg battery terminal from the battery. Than put an meter from the post to the terminal and flip the switches on and off to see the draw. If they are working there should be a substantial increase.
I didn’t just fall of a melon truck on my way from Long Island. Lol.
Be safe, everyone.
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Old 10-06-2020, 05:45 AM   #12
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I wonder if they have electronics in them to not come on until the air around the tank reaches a certain temp even with the switch on? I know a lot of the pipe heat tapes work that way. Sure would conserve a bunch of battery.
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Old 10-07-2020, 05:41 AM   #13
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I found my booklet that goes with mine. It says they are thermostatically controlled and designed to come on at 45 degrees and turn off at 67 degrees. It says it will continually cycle to prevent freezing. Rated 13.5v DC 4.8 Amps and 65 Watts.
They are ThermaHeat brand name
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Old 10-07-2020, 05:44 AM   #14
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Here's a photo of the manual page for the heating pad.
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Old 10-07-2020, 06:39 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jester View Post
The sad part about this is that “I SPEND THE WINTERS IN FLORIDA”.
I don’t need to worry about if they work or not.
But I’m married and after have the whole refrigerator replaced at 3 months old, she needs to know what else isn’t working properly while it’s still under warranty.
See what in mean?
Jester, In light of all the new information on how the tank heaters work I see you having two choices. 1. Tell her you are going to have to stay in a place a hell of a lot colder than she wants to verify it is working. Or 2, and my choice, Lie to her and tell her everything is working fine. (Mind you in this political season based on all the commercials, Lying is acceptable and obviously Politically Correct)
You make the call.
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Old 10-07-2020, 01:12 PM   #16
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Good one JimCol!
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Old 10-07-2020, 07:02 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Arkware View Post
Good one JimCol!
I hoping she just forgets about the whole thing...
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Old 10-08-2020, 04:37 AM   #18
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A very wise man once told me, "She will forget, until it is to her advantage to not forget."
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Old 10-08-2020, 06:54 AM   #19
Jester
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QaAaA
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimcol View Post
A very wise man once told me, "She will forget, until it is to her advantage to not forget."
Aaaaaaaa@@@

Or until the next argument .
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Old 10-11-2020, 01:34 PM   #20
whiterose
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Tank heaters

I check mine with the Progressive Industries surge protector. When you flip the switches you will see the amp draw increase.
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