110V Bay Heater

[Don & Ruth]

Re: 2009 Alpine Coach SE Limited, FDTS


We live where it is cold enough that we have always left a small space heater set to about 32 degrees in the wet bay even though the rig is in a nom-heated garage during the winter AND winterized…I don’t trust my winterizing. Does any one have a suggestion where to locate the heater for best results and can you place that high of a draw (750w) on the bay wiring? Or do you run an extension cord just to the heater?

Don & Ruth

[SteveS]

Don - If you don't trust your "winterizing" you should probably NOT forget to also do the bay aft of the storage bays. Most of the plumbing is there and the gray and black storage tanks reside there. Sorry I don't have any recommendations about electric heaters there. I have heard that just putting a lamp in there is sufficient to keep it from freezing.

[Richard and Cris]

I use the clamp on work lights from any hardware store. About 5 or 6 dollars. They have a aluminum cone and direct the light, and heat, to where you point them. The new 45 watt small halogen flood light bulbs work great. I put one under my bay and direct it towards the fresh tank where the drain is. Also one in the holding tank area and behind the fridge. Also the outside service bay. This covers critical areas. If you need more heat use a larger bulb. It would take a lot to add up to 750 watts.

[Flagelpater]

Why not find a way to be more confident about your "Winterizing?" Even if you need to pay someone walk you through it one time. Because if you have a power failure, of any kind, you will freeze up. If you are using the Pink stuff it is simple. As long as you have pink coming out of all the outlets there can be no mistakes. Don't forget the Hot Water Heater. Part of it is sticking right out in the cold. If the heater is not ON the unit is as cold as outside. JMHO

[two sailors]

One thing I found out the hard way is the solenoid for the ice maker. If you don't figure out how to drain it, it will freeze and break. The solenoid is outside just forward of the outside ventilation panel.

[Ted III]

Don & Ruth, I think it a very wise suggestion that was made to have someone help you with your winterizing or take it to a dealer and have them do it the first time. That way you can be comfortable through the winter and have more time to learn how to do it yourself in the future. I would be very concerned with the heat of halogen bulbs as well as the possibility of one breaking and have a potential of fire. I feel the same way about electric heaters. Purely my opinion.