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Water lines and pump, how cold is too cold?


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#11 Wallowa

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Posted 08 April 2021 - 04:20 PM

Snowman...too many variables to come to a system of protecting the water system in all conditions...lots of posts/threads on this forum to give advice and some "food for thought"...

 

In my opinion there are not any campers or trailers insulated sufficiently to protect the water systems under really severe cold for any length of time without internal heat source...think northern Canada; heck this winter I checked on temp at top of Whitefish ski lift and at 0900hrs it was -22F w/16mph wind.. what are temps and how long are they "low"...

 

Even my full 7 gallon water jug froze solid this winter on my ski trip [lowest I remember was -8 F]...as for anti-freeze....not my cup of tea, enough chemicals out and about that I don't want to put any in my drinking water system..but to each their own.

 

If you have a 110v hook-up and a small electric heater, all good.  In boils down to sufficient propane or 110v...this of course doesn't work if you are driving for hours is sub-zero temps...

 

In the end you do your best and it still remains a crap shoot. B)

 

 

Phil


Edited by Wallowa, 08 April 2021 - 04:21 PM.

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#12 snowman

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Posted 10 April 2021 - 04:24 AM

I might try antifreeze this winter in that case. Someone on another thread suggested cheap vodka as a slightly less chemically nasty option. Ill have to look into whether that's safe for the pump some more.

I do have the quick disconnect shower, do they typically have issues since the knobs are poorly shielded from the cold?

Any input on installing a small electric space heater inside the cupboard? It looks to me like all the water lines are in there and that would allow me to heat a smaller space while protecting all the water lines.
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#13 PaulT

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Posted 10 April 2021 - 07:24 AM

I haven’t tried this heat cable but the specs look interesting for the application.

https://morelectrich...eeze-free-cable

It is an A/C product that could run off of a very small inverter. 5 ft at 3 watts/ft would be about 15 to 20 watts with inverter losses. With foam pipe insulation around the pipe & cable and a thermal switch that turns it on below 35 degrees,  it might work out and not put much of a load on your battery.

 

Paul


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I thought getting old would take longer.

#14 snowman

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Posted 14 April 2021 - 06:21 PM

Awesome idea on the heat wrap, once I install an inverter I will probably go that route. 

 

I have been using a radiant electric heater to keep the camper warm and avoid burning up all my propane, unfortunately this requires me to keep the camper on shore power overnight. I am concerned this may overcharge and damage my AGM batteries. Anyone have experience with this? How long does one have to leave the camper plugged in to overcharge? I might have to go back to using the furnace and just accept going to the filling station more often. Lows here are still in the mid twenties this week. 


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#15 PaulT

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Posted 14 April 2021 - 09:42 PM

My Hawk is also a 2014. With the factory power supply/charger, there is an IQ4 controller that makes the power supply a smart charger. It can be left plugged in indefinitely without fear of harming your AGM batteries.  Once the batteries are fully charged, it will drop the voltage to the float value with very little current flowing This will keep your batteries in good condition. Every 7 days, it will revert to the bulk/absorption/float cycle to ensure the batteries are always kept happy. 

 

If plugged into shore power while stored in cold weather, you could leave a small space heater set to 40-50 degrees and leave cabinet doors open to ensure no freezing inside without using your propane.  I have done that for several years using a 750 watt oil filled space heater. I found one that fits in an egg crate that it won't tip over while driving and just leave it in the camper.  Set the thermostat on the radiator where you need it and just plug the camper into shore power when you stop.

 

The batteries will like the warmth while being kept charged. 

 

Paul


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I thought getting old would take longer.




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