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10-13-2018, 04:32 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Caldwell
Posts: 72
M.O.C. #21136
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Belly Heaters
My 2018 3130 has the compartment heaters. Are they electric heat, or propane?
I was thinking, if they are electric, I could leave the rig plugged in along the side of the house, and not have to worry about freezing pipes.
Then again, wife is always telling me not to think too much...
Will this work????
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10-13-2018, 05:23 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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Mine just has one duct from the furnace that dumps into the lower compartment so you could say propane.
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2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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10-13-2018, 05:38 PM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Brookings
Posts: 313
M.O.C. #18275
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My furnace puts heat into the storage areas but I have tank heaters also.
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2018 Montana HC 330RL
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10-13-2018, 06:15 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,325
M.O.C. #17894
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Not sure what compartment heaters are. ? As far as I know (as mentioned) there is a 2" or so flex duct off the furnace that simply sticks down into the front tank area. It will only keep the tanks and lines from freezing if the propane furnace is on. If you have electric heated tanks, the heaters will prevent them from freezing, but will do next to nothing for the fresh water pipes.
__________________
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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10-13-2018, 06:18 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,770
M.O.C. #7560
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Gordon, when you state compartment heaters are you talking about the switch/es that are on your control panel? If so, those compartment heaters are tank heaters and have nothing to do with the water system in your unit except for storage of waste water. They only heater that is going into the underbelly where your water pipes run is a single two inch duct that comes from the furnace and runs into the underbelly to provide SOME heat when the furnace is running but only when the furnace is running. Since you live in Idaho and we know it gets rather cold there just plugging in your unit will not keep your pipes from freezing. I would be winterizing your unit if I were you. You can do it the two ways- 1. The blowout method--where you connect an air compressor up the the unit and blow out any water that might be in the water lines with 40-50 lbs of air pressure. I do my unit this way but add "pink stuff" down the drains and in the toilet for keeping the gasket from drying out over the winter. 2. the regular winterizing method by pumping "pink stuff" into the lines until it comes out of the faucets(both hot and cold), shower head, toilet, the outside shower, low point drains, fresh water tank fill line, black tank flush line and the washer hookup faucet. I do not recall any compartment heaters on any of the units when touring the factory during the last Fall Rally in Goshen unless I missed something on the tour.
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10-13-2018, 08:02 PM
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#6
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Caldwell
Posts: 72
M.O.C. #21136
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THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO...
I guess I was looking for a shortcut. I was trying to avoid doing it because I still plan on using the rig for a trip to Cali for Thanksgiving.
I like the idea of the air blow out, kinda like my sprinklers. Easy, and not hard to do again when I get back home.
Again, thanks to all for the advise...Safe Travels to you all
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10-14-2018, 08:25 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,325
M.O.C. #17894
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Be very careful with the blowout method. ( I personally do not trust it) There is know way of knowing if ALL the water has ben blown out. Some water will settle in low spots of pipes. Some of the pipes are in TOTALY inaccessible places that run through the camper floor. I know many people that have been burned by that method in the spring when they went to use there unit. They had a free sprinkler system from all the broken pipes that froze.
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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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10-14-2018, 08:34 AM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northwest Tennessee
Posts: 450
M.O.C. #10884
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As I recall, the dealer told us to not use the tank heaters if tanks were empty. And, I think they are electric. Don't know if this is accurate info so jump in! Remember the ice maker if you have one. Manual says to not use anti-freeze to winterize the ice maker?? We have not for two winters in Tennessee with no problems but do drain the lines to it as recommended by dealer.
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2017 Montana 3611
2012 Chevy 2500
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10-14-2018, 08:45 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,325
M.O.C. #17894
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I think you are correct. The tank heaters are 120 volt electric pads that are applied/stuck to the tanks bottom. Without liquid in the tanks I suppose they could melt, but who knows. I don't buy the benefit of the tank heaters 1-because there are none on the fresh water tank 2-It will take a lot of cold and time to freeze say, 10 gallons of water. I would be much more worried about the water in the small water pipes.
__________________
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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10-14-2018, 09:30 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Thornville
Posts: 546
M.O.C. #21110
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Quote:
Originally Posted by navybanker
Remember the ice maker if you have one. Manual says to not use anti-freeze to winterize the ice maker?? We have not for two winters in Tennessee with no problems but do drain the lines to it as recommended by dealer.
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Ours came new from the factory(Feb.2018) WITH anti-freeze in the ice maker. The dealer has also advised me to winterize the same way as it came from the factory's thats what my plan is.
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Darwin & Carla
2018.5 3701LK Montana
2022 3500HD Denali Duramax SRW
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10-14-2018, 09:33 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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We used the air method before we went full time, but you have to remember to put antifreeze in the washer as well as the ice maker if you have one. You know how I learned that.
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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, 06:35 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Terry
Posts: 156
M.O.C. #22698
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Ice Maker
Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick
We used the air method before we went full time, but you have to remember to put antifreeze in the washer as well as the ice maker if you have one. You know how I learned that.
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Yep, on those bad under 15 degree nights if you don't do antifreeze with the ice maker you probably will lose the ice maker solenoid for sure. Even down MS way it has happened to be even when I had put a bulb light in the rear area. Best to be safe for those bad cold periods.
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10-21-2018, 09:53 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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I've used the air method for several years supplemented by antifreeze in all the P Traps. If you run the air long enough on each faucet's hot and cold line as well as the stool, you'll not have any problems. There will not be enough remaining water droplets in the lines to matter. Don't forget the out door shower, black tank rinse, and the water fill line to your fresh water tank. Like said, the tank heaters are 12 VDC and will do nothing to keep your hot and cold water lines, fittings, and faucets from freezing.
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10-22-2018, 08:19 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,900
M.O.C. #19944
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Maybe - blow the lines clear and use the vodka mist with the air … I know there was a lot of discussion on the use of booze but if the boat floats, paddle …
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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10-22-2018, 01:22 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Northville, NY
Posts: 811
M.O.C. #21158
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glendodom
Yep, on those bad under 15 degree nights if you don't do antifreeze with the ice maker you probably will lose the ice maker solenoid for sure. Even down MS way it has happened to be even when I had put a bulb light in the rear area. Best to be safe for those bad cold periods.
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Our manual says to shut off water to the ice maker with the valve under the sink and open the drain below the underbelly between the k/sink and the freezer and leave it open. That has worked for us with temps down in the teens.
__________________
Jim B
2017 Lariat F-350 FX4, CC, SB, 6.7 PSD 4WD
2018 MONTY 3731FL, at our private winter site in GA
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10-25-2018, 07:28 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Mid Missouri
Posts: 156
M.O.C. #19889
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I drain, refill with anti freeze, (mine takes 3 gallons) then blow out the antifreeze. This assures any low points are protected, the antifreeze (even though non toxic) is not soaking into my lines all winter, and all the drains/p traps/tanks are protected. Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure they say...
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2017 Montana High Country 353RL
2017 Silverado 3500HD DRW CC LB 6.6L Duramax
B&W Companion
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10-25-2018, 11:26 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2018
Location: san andreas
Posts: 209
M.O.C. #21805
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glendodom
Yep, on those bad under 15 degree nights if you don't do antifreeze with the ice maker you probably will lose the ice maker solenoid for sure. Even down MS way it has happened to be even when I had put a bulb light in the rear area. Best to be safe for those bad cold periods.
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sad but in so nany years the light bulb way will go the way of the t-rex..
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10-25-2018, 05:47 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,325
M.O.C. #17894
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Not for me, I have several hundred in boxes. LOL
__________________
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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