Insulation of water and waste tanks

[Duncan2580]

Looking for information whether I can insulate my water and waste tanks please.
I bought an old 1999 fiat auto trailer last January and the main time I will use it will be autumn/winter time.
I am away at the moment and have got up this morning with frozen water tank is it possible to insulate them
Thanks in advance

 

[Spriddler]

Unless you apply warmth to the tank it matters little how much insulation (cladding) you fit because the water temp will eventually drop to ambient. If any water supply pipes are external they will also freeze.
Are the tanks internal (e.g. in an inside locker) or underslung?
Do you have a large battery capacity and a method of charging them or are you on EHU?

 

[Duncan2580]

Unless you apply warmth to the tank it matters little how much insulation (cladding) you fit because the water temp will eventually drop to ambient. If any water supply pipes are external they will also freeze.
Are the tanks internal (e.g. in an inside locker) or underslung?
Do you have a large battery capacity and a method of charging them or are you on EHU?

Thanks for the prompt reply.
My tanks are under slung, I don’t have a large battery capacity but have solar panels fitted earlier this year , (300)
I am trying to stay away from EHU
I might be able to expand the area where the battery is but will need professional advice on that

 

[Spriddler]

I'm afraid I can't provide much additional help as I only motorhome in Gentlemen's temps.
Some 'winterised' m/homes (mainly from continental manufacturers) have heated tanks and internal piping but I think that without EHU you'd be hard pressed to electrically heat yours, especially since solar yield is generally poor in the UK at this time of year.
As you are no doubt aware freezing temps can cause damage to taps, filters and pumps and burst pipe fittings.
My simple yet inconvenient solution would be to drain down and use a day container kept inside the m/h. Failing that I'd winter in Southern Spain.
Maybe someone has a better solution.

 

[tacr2man]

Anything external will need electric heating pads and tape to stand a chance , insulation will help with efficiency
but will still require a pretty serious amount of energy . Pretty much any unit designed for sub zero conditions will have it all internal , and heated .

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[Lenny HB]

Can you get a housing around the tanks? German vans with underslung tanks have a housing around the tank with insulation and a feed from the blow air heating system, it works well.

 

[Duncan2580]

Thanks for all your help

 

[Otter Spotter]

Take a look on Amazon, I purchased a couple of Heater pads and had them stuck to the underside of the tanks then sticky foam sheet stuck to tanks and pipe foil wrap wrapped around the pipes. As others have said the insulation will only slow the temp drop down, the heater pads will keep the chill off the tanks. I don’t see a big draw on the batteries when the heater pads are switched on but then I don’t have a real way of checking that they are working as they are covered.

 

[Duncan2580]

Take a look on Amazon, I purchased a couple of Heater pads and had them stuck to the underside of the tanks then sticky foam sheet stuck to tanks and pipe foil wrap wrapped around the pipes. As others have said the insulation will only slow the temp drop down, the heater pads will keep the chill off the tanks. I don’t see a big draw on the batteries when the heater pads are switched on but then I don’t have a real way of checking that they are working as they are covered.

Thanks for that

 

[haganap]

you can buy and install heating elements and or use heat pads. the amp drain is minimal, and worth it, you would also need to lag it it depends if its the fresh or the waste that is concerning you most.

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[Itsmcb]

Either use a 5 or 10litre container or for a more permanent solution you may be able to fit a second or replacement freshwater tank inside, ideally under a seat with a hot air pipe passing through.
The waste tank you can leave the drain tap open with a bucket underneath.