Water line for ice maker

[lp5151]

I have a Southwind 36D w/ice maker. has anyone had a problem with the water line going to the ice maker freezing up (cold weather)? specifically where the line goes up the back of the refer which is next to the exterior wall.

[Gary RVRoamer]

It's a problem on all the coaches that use the Dometic and Norcold refrigerators - the line to the water valve is exposed in both brands. If the fridge is cooling there is usually enough heat in the back to keep the line from freezing down to 15020 degrees, but below that??? And if the fridge is off or it is cold enough inside the coach that is seldom goes through a cooling cycle, them the line can freeze at most any temp much under 32.

[JC2]

Don't most icemaker lines have a type of aluminum covered heat tape wrapped around them?

[Tincup]

Quote:

If the fridge is cooling there is usually enough heat in the back to keep the line from freezing down to 15020 degrees, but below that???

YIKES Is that F/C or K? I don't think it will freeze at that temp

I have a Norcold and have been in temps down to 16F and it didn't freeze, my line is exposed with no heat tape. IMO, I think the heat generated by the reefer is enough to keep it thawed.

[justimagination]

Simple sollution that I do. First, I take the line loose @ the lowest point, which will drain any water in it, the I take a big bath towel, fold it to the size of the opening, stuff it in the compartment and close the door, no freezing problems. Good Luck,
David G.

[SacsTC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by justimagination Simple sollution that I do. First, I take the line loose @ the lowest point, which will drain any water in it, the I take a big bath towel, fold it to the size of the opening, stuff it in the compartment and close the door, no freezing problems. Good Luck, David G.

This is not something I would recommend...If the fridge is turned on, the coils are heating. If on propane, you have a burner in the compartment with open flame. Sounds like a fire waiting to happen..

[justimagination]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SacsTC This is not something I would recommend...If the fridge is turned on, the coils are heating. If on propane, you have a burner in the compartment with open flame. Sounds like a fire waiting to happen..

This recomendation is only for storage, I in no way would suggest this to someone to leave in there permanetly. He was asking about FREEZING, OK. Use some common sense.
David G.

[MonacoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by justimagination This recommendation is only for storage, I in no way would suggest this to someone to leave in there permanently. He was asking about FREEZING, OK. Use some common sense. David G.

David G... Some of us do travel or live in our rigs during cold weather conditions. I did not see where "lp5151" asked about winterizing or for storage in his post. All other posters have given common sense answers.
MM

[justimagination]

Becky:
Pardon me for intruding, it was evedently mis-understood. I am well aware of the Heat caused by the coil's in the compartment of the Ice Maker. I try to read my opinion before submitting it, maybe I should have just left it out. That's a big problem today, seems like everyone tries to find the negative rather than a thank you for your opinion. Isn't that what the Forum's are for ? to share and help someone with something new to them. I am sure he will remember the towel trick the next time he parks his motorhome and it's cold, and I'm confident he will as well remember to take it out. On a last note, @ this stage in my life of almost 68 yrs, I certainly did not mean to offend anyone. Thanks,
David G.
David G.


David G.

[MonacoMama]

David... It is ok... I know that we all sometimes misread and misunderstand things. I do know that I have learned to read things more closely since become a Moderator on the forum...and I have been in the rig when I wanted to keep that line from freezing...so my experience is firsthand..
Please keep visiting & posting here...It is always nice to have new blood on the forums!
MM

[justimagination]

Thank you so kindly, and yes , as we grow older we see things sometimes different that they actually are, and that's just part of life's cycle.
I am just glad we have our Motorhome and are able to travel and enjoy it, since gas has gotten a lot cheaper. I spend quite a bit of time on (2) Forum's reading about other people, and the problems they may have. This is good entertainment for me, especially late @ night. I learn something new everytime I read the post's. Keep up the good work, and I really enjoy the new site. Good Luck,
David G.

[motojavaphil]

We have had our ice maker line freeze. I cannot tell you how fun that is. I took the cover off outside the rig and placed some duct tape over some of the vents. The heat from the fridge was enough to keep it from freezing thereafter. The trick is to remember to remove the tape when warmer temps return. I also put a thermometer in there that I could monitor from inside. At -5 F it was 40 degrees in the compartment.
Phil

[Roadking]

lp5151 -- Some great (and questionable) suggestions, but more info would help. What brand and does yours have the heat tape someone previously mentioned? I have the Norcold and the ice maker line is wrapped with a blue-aluminum shield containing a heat tape. I believe this a a 12Volt heat tape, but I'm not sure as I've never had to trouble shoot it. Regardless, I know there is a thermostat attached to the Ice maker water valve which activates the heat tape at a low temp... something like 35 degrees F. If you have this type of set up perchance the heat tape is defective, or the thermostat is defective, or you have no power to the heat tape. Good luck

[lp5151]

no heat tape on the ice maker lines..our rig is an '08. when we stopped one night in Prescott, AZ the temps got below freezing. a friend mentioned that a friend of his had his ice maker lines freeze, so he would put a light in the compartment to keep the lines from freezing.... we did the same to be on the safe side....but we had shore power. when we dry camp in the fall, the temps can fall below freezing, so i wonder how we will keep the line from freezing then? I'll try blocking off the vent with something to keep it warmer in that comparment...i will also try to wrap the line with some sort of insulation. i usually do not dry camp in weather colder than 20 degrees.