water tank heaters for winter (1 Viewer)

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,833
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
this tip was mentioned in a post by Snowbird a couple of weeks ago and i thought it worth another mention.

a cheap option is a fishtank heater.

they are usually 150w @ 230v but could be run on a small inverter when driving or off hookup.
100% submersible and fully adjustable for temp + themostatic.

the max power consumption is only 650miiliamp per hour so unless you park up for a number of days it shouldnt have a drastic effect on the leisure battery.

cost.....£7 or £8 from most pet shops.
 
Feb 22, 2008
12,258
44,933
Norfolk
Funster No
1,575
MH
Nearly Tugging
Exp
Since 2004
A member on the sister site RVOC had some 12v self adhesive tank heaters 7.5 inch X 26inch at £35 each. They still appear to be for sale.
 

hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
36,108
Macclesfield
Funster No
5,089
MH
Zilch Mk1
Exp
From Aug 2007
a cheap option is a fishtank heater.

they are usually 150w @ 230v
the max power consumption is only 650miiliamp per hour so unless you park up for a number of days it shouldnt have a drastic effect on the leisure battery.

Good idea apart from a tiny logical flaw -- that 650mA is at 240V, it's still 150W or 15A from you leisure battery.

I'd add that unlike a fish tank we bounce our tanks around so you'd need to fasten it down securely.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
pappajohn

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,833
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
any idea of the wattage ?

i would say for an average euro tank (80 to 100ltr) you would need at least a 100w heater in freezing conditions which, at 12v, will be 8.3 amps (150w = 12.5amps)
fine if you're on hookup or on the move but a lot of power if you're wildcamping.
 
OP
OP
pappajohn

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,833
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Good idea apart from a tiny logical flaw -- that 650mA is at 240V, it's still 150W or 15A from you leisure battery.

I'd add that unlike a fish tank we bounce our tanks around so you'd need to fasten it down securely.


:Doh:
just checked it on my inverter.
digital clamp meter and a 150w heater.......its drawing 17.5A on startup.
forgot to do that simple convertion:Blush:

still worth using when on the move on an inverter then on hookup once pitched.
once its up to temp its thermostatic.
 

hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
36,108
Macclesfield
Funster No
5,089
MH
Zilch Mk1
Exp
From Aug 2007
...its drawing 17.5A on startup.
forgot to do that simple convertion:Blush:

still worth using when on the move on an inverter then on hookup once pitched.
once its up to temp its thermostatic.

You've had a hard week !

Yes, definitely worth it.

How bad is the water damage ?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
pappajohn

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,833
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
You've had a hard week !

Yes, definitely worth it.

How bad is the water damage ?

from another thread.....

nope....the damage was completely free :roflmto:
what wasnt free was the £80 of diesel for the trip and the £12 of beer due to the tv not working and the only option was the pub.

all for the sake of the mains tap not turned off!!!!

had to leave the hall, bathroom and dining room fitted carpets down and just hope they dry out before they start to stink.
rescued the rugs from the lounge and kitchen (tiled floors) and slung 'em in the back of the pickup to hang in the garage to dry.

the burst was simply a compression joint that pushed apart with the ice...refixed and retightened.

was told it was minus 14C some nights.

i think because of the burst cold mains pipe the combi pressure had slowly backfed into the supply through the filling loop valve so stopping the boiler frost protection kicking in when the temp dropped below 4C.

going to fit a second valve to stop it happening again.
 

Macytia

Free Member
Nov 30, 2009
66
1
North Wales
Funster No
9,517
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
4 years
The minimum temperature seems to be 20 degrees, who needs a water heater:ROFLMAO:
 

Kon tiki

Free Member
Oct 11, 2007
487
0
North Wales
Funster No
594
MH
Low Line
Exp
20+
Our van has a heater for the waste tank as standard, I wonder what sort of power it uses as there is no info in the manual?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top