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Old 02-08-2018, 03:53 AM   #1
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Using a trouble light to heat a water bay

Hi,

Anyone using a trouble light to heat a water bay. If so what watt is it? and by how much will it heat the bay?

I am going to purchase one and a thermocube today.

Also can you successfully run it off an inverter and batteries?

Thanks,
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Old 02-08-2018, 07:06 AM   #2
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funny you should ask.

this is our 32nd season doung the RV thing, our 3rd season with our current MH (‘16 Itasca Suncruiser 38Q) but our first snowbird trip. we’re in Ft. Stickon, TX crawling to Mesa, AZ and had our first predicted sub-freezing night last night (the 8th). i disconected the water hose, drained and stored it. we planned to use the LP furnace to keep warm are blowing on them but the water pump and wet bay are vulnerable.

i’ve been carrying a trouble light with us since our first MH trip in 1986 and last night was the very first time i’ve ever used it. i put it in the wet bay to help keep it warm overnight. it has a 32-yr old 60-watt incandescent bulb (which still worked!). checked the bay before we turned in last night and it was warmer than it would’ve been without it.

the water pump was still a concern as that is located not in the wet bay but on the opposite side of the coach in the water heater bay. Winnebago Tech Support had previously confirmed that the pump area is not heated by the furnace but is adjacent to the hot water tank. so i left the electric water heater on all night (we usually do anyway) hoping that radiant heat would suffice.

i was up a couple of times during the night to check and according to my outside thermometer the temp never got lower than 39 so the issue was moot. but for peace of mind i’m glad i had that work light and that the bulb still worked!
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Old 02-08-2018, 02:25 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by rk911 View Post
funny you should ask.

this is our 32nd season doung the RV thing, our 3rd season with our current MH (‘16 Itasca Suncruiser 38Q) but our first snowbird trip. we’re in Ft. Stickon, TX crawling to Mesa, AZ and had our first predicted sub-freezing night last night (the 8th). i disconected the water hose, drained and stored it. we planned to use the LP furnace to keep warm are blowing on them but the water pump and wet bay are vulnerable.

i’ve been carrying a trouble light with us since our first MH trip in 1986 and last night was the very first time i’ve ever used it. i put it in the wet bay to help keep it warm overnight. it has a 32-yr old 60-watt incandescent bulb (which still worked!). checked the bay before we turned in last night and it was warmer than it would’ve been without it.

the water pump was still a concern as that is located not in the wet bay but on the opposite side of the coach in the water heater bay. Winnebago Tech Support had previously confirmed that the pump area is not heated by the furnace but is adjacent to the hot water tank. so i left the electric water heater on all night (we usually do anyway) hoping that radiant heat would suffice.

i was up a couple of times during the night to check and according to my outside thermometer the temp never got lower than 39 so the issue was moot. but for peace of mind i’m glad i had that work light and that the bulb still worked!
Wow, thats one old bulb.

I will get a light from home depot and test it out.
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Old 02-08-2018, 06:08 PM   #4
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Wow, thats one old bulb.

I will get a light from home depot and test it out.
Obviously, you have to use an incandescent light. Florescent or LED don't produce much heat.
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Old 02-08-2018, 07:22 PM   #5
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Grampa always used a 100 watt bulb in the well pump house in central Mi and ever let him down
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Old 02-08-2018, 07:52 PM   #6
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Thanks both,

I picked up two trouble lights at home depot. I have plenty of incandescent bulbs at home after doing a LED retrofit.
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Old 02-11-2018, 10:34 AM   #7
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The heater is out in our wet bay and I use a drop light with 100 Watt bulb. You would probably be fine with a 60 watt, but didn't want to take any chances!
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Old 02-11-2018, 12:52 PM   #8
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The heater is out in our wet bay and I use a drop light with 100 Watt bulb. You would probably be fine with a 60 watt, but didn't want to take any chances!
The ones I picked are 75watt. I will test them out this week as still cold here.
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Old 02-11-2018, 01:00 PM   #9
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Grampa always used a 100 watt bulb in the well pump house in central Mi and ever let him down
As did my Grampa, and Dad, and myself - all of us lived in Iowa when we were doing this.
A 100 watt bulb ought to be just fine.
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Old 02-11-2018, 01:15 PM   #10
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I’ve use drop lites for years in my wetbay in sub freezing weather. Never an issue. I’m using heavy duty bulbs that are rated for garage door openers. They’re designed to take more vibration.
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Old 02-11-2018, 01:26 PM   #11
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I use this in each bay I want to heat.
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Old 02-11-2018, 01:48 PM   #12
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Just a week ago, I bought a garage type light fixture and mounted it near the water pump with a 10' cord attached to it. I ran the plug end through the water fill compartment where the phone plug was that we never used. Now I can run a elec cord up into the water compartment alongside the water hose and just plug it in. I can even use a timer if I am going to be away, so it comes on at night. Thrift store fixture, cord, 75W light cost was $3. Got tired of using the wife's table lamp.
Also shown is 50' pocket hose to wash camper, etc.
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Old 02-16-2018, 06:08 AM   #13
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Follow up

I will be returning the cheap HDX home depot brand light as the cage does not go all the way around. I will get a another yellow jacket one.

I used 60w bulbs, will test in the rv this weekend.
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Old 02-16-2018, 06:45 AM   #14
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I use a 100 watt lamp in the valve end of the wet bay. the lamp is "Caged" like a trouble light so the lamp never touches anything. I use a Rough Service lamp.

IN the fresh water end there is not enough room so I use a string of C-9 Size (the old big outdoor type) Christmas Tree lightds, asbut 270 watts total assuming 9 watts per lamp. these do NOT get hot enough to melt plastic.
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