First freeze up last night

[Bob Wilson]

I learned something last night. After 3+ years full-timing in our Excel, regularly in cold weather, I had my first freeze up.

My rig is a 2004 with the zero degree warranty, and I've seen multiple nights in negative temps (lowest was -11 I think with a wind chill of -20) without freezing ... really impressive ... and the trailer stayed nice and cozy.

Last night it got down to 1 degree with no wind; but no water in the morning. I was surprised, based on previous experience.

The difference ... and this is where I learned something ... is that this time I was just passing through the area for the holidays and was running off the tank. In the past I staying longer-term and used an insulated hose with heat tape.

Purely a guess on my part, but I suspect that the water draw point from the tank is more susceptible to the cold.

Anyway, carefully placed a ceramic heater in the basement and in a few hours we were back in business.

Does anyone know if there is a power outlet in the basement of the trailer? I used the outlet in the outside utilities box and fed a cord through the luggage door.

Thanks, and happy new year!

Bob

[Bob Wilson]

I learned something last night. After 3+ years full-timing in our Excel, regularly in cold weather, I had my first freeze up.

My rig is a 2004 with the zero degree warranty, and I've seen multiple nights in negative temps (lowest was -11 I think with a wind chill of -20) without freezing ... really impressive ... and the trailer stayed nice and cozy.

Last night it got down to 1 degree with no wind; but no water in the morning. I was surprised, based on previous experience.

The difference ... and this is where I learned something ... is that this time I was just passing through the area for the holidays and was running off the tank. In the past I staying longer-term and used an insulated hose with heat tape.

Purely a guess on my part, but I suspect that the water draw point from the tank is more susceptible to the cold.

Anyway, carefully placed a ceramic heater in the basement and in a few hours we were back in business.

Does anyone know if there is a power outlet in the basement of the trailer? I used the outlet in the outside utilities box and fed a cord through the luggage door.

Thanks, and happy new year!

Bob

[Workshop]

Bob,

My unit has two outlets in the main storage bay, one on each side, both mounted on the "ceiling". Vac system connects to one and is near the pump and tank. My units water tank and pump/plumbing is on the other side of the compartment wall.

For additional heat in that area if needed, try using a drop cord light with a 60-100 watt bulb near the pump-tank for additional heat. I run a 60 watt bulb in my home's well pump/tank compartment when the temps get near freezing and haven't had a problem except when we've lost power. Will be in mid-20's tonight, seems like a heat wave to some I'll guess.

[Bob Wilson]

Hi guys ... thanks for the tips.

I have the vac system too, so I'll check and see if there is an outlet ... that would be very helpful.

75v ... I'm in Sisters, OR at the moment but will soon be heading back to the SC. I use a short flat extension cord, and I've found that there is enough flex in the door seals to allow the doors to be closed, slowly and carefully, on top of the cord. If that hadn't worked I was going to do what you did.

RV manufacturing is such a price-competitive business that I don't blame Excel for not putting extra standard features that some would use but many not. Sure wouldn't mind seeing something like an optional artic pack though that might add auxillary tank heaters, an outlet in the basement, sufficient clearance for tire chains, builtin ceramic heaters, etc. ... that would be sweet for us cold-weather campers.

[ChiefJohn]

Bob,
I believe there is a power outlet in your basement -- I've found that a small ceramic heater or a light bulb works very well. I prefer a ceramic heater with built-in thermostat. We have not been in -10 degree temps and I don't intend to be (again). Spent a year at Thule Greenland -- too close to the North Pole for me!

[Butch50]

I have an outlet in the basement area. It is located in the water management area. Where the valves and shower hookup are at. I can run an extension up to the very top and feed it through to the basement area from there. Maybe other models and years don't have it there but that is where I ran my extension cord from to run my small fridge in the basement area.

[LarryGodby]

If someone was going to spend a lot of time camping in the winter, would it make sense to use blow-in insulation?

In our RSE I can see down into the tank area and I don't see any reason why it could not be done.

Might be messy if you had to go back there to work or drop a tank, but other than that I don't think it would add much weight.

[Bob Wilson]

Just double checked in the basement storage, and I didn't see any outlets. There may be one behind the sliding doors that provide access to the pump and water pipes, but I didn't crawl in there with a flashlight.

Running a cord from the exterior utilities box works, and Butch's idea of running it through the interior of the utilities box is much better than my method of running outside in bad weather. Thanks Butch!

Bob

[ChiefJohn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">There may be one behind the sliding doors... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I believe that's where it's hiding.

[Workshop]

Bob, you stated that you had a Vac system also, where is it plugged into, is it in the storage compartment. My converter is also located in this comparment and is plugged into the second outlet on the road side.

One thing I've done was to add an outlet in the front compartment, Generator area, to have for various purposes, I used the junction box in the storage compartment labeled bedroom to obtain power, had several mounted on the "ceiling". Might be an option later on.

[Bob Wilson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">believe that's where it's hiding. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Figures ... thanks Chief. I'll check more thoroughly when I'm not parked in a snow bank. Didn't want to pull all of the gear out to crawl inside.

Workshop ... no visible plug for my vacuum ... a cord runs into the area where the pumps and pipes are, behind the sliding doors. At first glance I guessed that the vac was hard wired in; but if the outlet is behind the sliding doors, then that would explain why I'm not seeing it and how the vacuum is connected. I'll check when we get into a bit warmer weather.

Thanks again guys ... really appreciate the help!

Bob

[LarryGodby]

Bob,

If your vacuum is like mine the plug is behind the sliding wall but the plug is located on the ceiling. It is almost hard for me to plug in the cube heater I have in there.

[Bob Wilson]

Thanks Larry.

Tomorrow we're hitting the road for Reno and then Vegas on our way to SC ... the long way, but less snow. Once we're in a warmer spot I'll pull the stuff out of basement and look more closely for the outlet.

Sure helps having guidance from other Excelers.

Bob