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12-19-2016, 06:58 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Howell, MI
Posts: 48
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Frozen Water Line
It's been pretty cold here in Michigan, I have the furnace set at 60 and it's keeping the coach very nice and heat is getting into the basement, but not enough. The wet bay isn't insulated too well and the water line froze. I have a heated Campco hose which is not frozen. Last night the ceramic heater almost had the line thawed, went from 22 to 37 and started to trickle but it shut down.
I have a trouble light with aluminum reflector and 75 watt bulb, but apprehensive about leaving it on while not in the coach during the times I'm away. I'm going to move the ceramic heater closer to the wet bay and let it run while I'm at the coach.
I was hoping to get some input about leaving the trouble light on while I'm not there. I did add the pink insulated panel to the bottom of the wet bay (on top of the plastic "floor"), but not sure if this will be of any value. Any help, suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated. I know, move south, I would but that isn't going to happen until next year......
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Jim (AKA: Magilla)
2017 Bay Star w/2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Blue Ox with SMI Stay-In-Play Braking System
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12-19-2016, 07:40 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,588
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I camped in northern Michigan late March to Sept in 2011. Temps got down in the low teens. I survived but not fun.
I did leave a small cube heater in the bay that has the water heater and pump and had the 12 volt heater in the wet bay. I secured the heater to the top of a heavy tool box so it couldn't fall over. I was away on business for a week at a time. Never had a problem.
I did buy a remote temp sensor so I could keep track of the basement temps.
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Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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12-19-2016, 07:50 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,400
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We're glamping right now and not to worry about the 75W lamp on. I have one in my bay right now. It creates a 12 degree difference in the wet bay. 32 outside, 44 in the wet bay. I also use it unattended when in the storage unit when freezing temps are threatening. I clamp the light right under the tanks and it shines down over the dump valves. It'll be fine.
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12-19-2016, 07:51 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North East Florida
Posts: 2,023
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Stick with the ceramic heater, its probably 1250 watts on high and maybe 750 watts on low. Much more heat than a 75 watt bulb. Use the bulb after the pipes thaw just to maintain enough heat to stay above 32. A reflector light isn't dangerous if you keep some distance from combustibles. Good luck!
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2019 Horizon 42Q
Cummins L-9 450 HP
Maxum Chassis / IFS with Tag
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12-19-2016, 07:53 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Watertown NY USA
Posts: 6,517
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magilla122
It's been pretty cold here in Michigan, I have the furnace set at 60 and it's keeping the coach very nice and heat is getting into the basement, but not enough. The wet bay isn't insulated too well and the water line froze. I have a heated Campco hose which is not frozen. Last night the ceramic heater almost had the line thawed, went from 22 to 37 and started to trickle but it shut down.
I have a trouble light with aluminum reflector and 75 watt bulb, but apprehensive about leaving it on while not in the coach during the times I'm away. I'm going to move the ceramic heater closer to the wet bay and let it run while I'm at the coach.
I was hoping to get some input about leaving the trouble light on while I'm not there. I did add the pink insulated panel to the bottom of the wet bay (on top of the plastic "floor"), but not sure if this will be of any value. Any help, suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated. I know, move south, I would but that isn't going to happen until next year......
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These lights can and do get hot. Try pulling a rack from your oven and put it in the wet bay supported 3-4" above the floor then lay the light on the rack with the reflector against the rack.. This will provide an air space all around the light and you should be safe.
Lynn
__________________
2002 Fleetwood Storm 30H on Workhorse P32 chassis 8.1 gas.
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12-20-2016, 03:29 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Frankfort, Ky
Posts: 143
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Have had same issues with temps in low teens. Have two clip on heat lamp fixtures ( Lowe's) with 125 watt bulbs (w/v=a, maybe 3amp). Fluorescent and led bulbs do not supply the same heat and incandescent is hard to find. Remote Thermo sensors. It's 19d now and wet bays are about 48d. Have thermistor outlet at mail address (on @35d, off @45d). Have not had any of problems. Leave them on all the time it is below freezing. O filled heater in stateroom, convection in salon. Sipping propane, but my elective included and they expect the space heaters.
__________________
Tim, with co-pilots Bert n Ernie(RIP)-
Felines Extraordinaire
'94 Pace Arrow 33X, 454 7.4L; '05 Jeep G. C. LTD
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12-20-2016, 03:56 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Howell, MI
Posts: 48
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tim.kyfl, the "Have two clip on heat lamp fixtures ( Lowe's) with 125 watt bulbs (w/v=a, maybe 3amp)" you're referring to are these the clip on lights with the big aluminum reflectors? The bulb, is this a white flood light or the actual red heat lamp bulb?
Thanks to everyone who replied and eased my nerves. I'll be back at the coach tonight and will get the heater running and leave the light on when I leave. As always, I appreciate the help, wisdom, and advice.
__________________
Jim (AKA: Magilla)
2017 Bay Star w/2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Blue Ox with SMI Stay-In-Play Braking System
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12-20-2016, 07:16 AM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,607
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Go to a hardware store or a big box store and get a light that has a porcelain bulb holder and mount it permanently in the wet bay where the bulb heat will not overheat any components. We use that technique in ours and use a 100W bulb. In the recent cold snap we saw 2 days where it was 15 degrees at night and day temp didn't go over 26. With LP heat set at 45 front and back, our wet bay never got below 48. Since we will be traveling right after Christmas I don't winterize. We leave the heat and the wet bay light on constantly from shortly after Thanksgiving until we leave. I do check the rig once or twice a day but we've been using this technique for almost 10 years.
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12-20-2016, 08:26 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,400
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I'm sure some of these other solutions work well but to emphasize what I'm using. (see attached pics) This metal rim that's on the light does NOT get got at all. Last night it was 27 degrees outside and my wet bay was 44. I was going to use a 100w bulb but since this was our first time with this setup on an extended stay, I was afraid it might get to hot with a 100w. But now I know, I could of used it with no problem.
Now, I must add that I do not have basement heat, so I built/installed a "thermo insulated box" with 1/2" blue insulation board, foil pointed to the outside (forgot the exact name of the material) around the entire outside of my wet bay. I cut the panels, adhered them with a Locktite PL Material on the backside with a caulk gun and then placed a few s/s screws & fender washers to further secure the panels to the plastic wet bay cavity. Taped all seams with foil tape, and then sprayed the entire outside (2 coats) with a water proofing auto bed liner spray. Everything bought at Home Depot. Inside the wet bay, I also wrapped all pipes with foam tubing and stuffed fiberglass insulation up into where all the pipes and tanks are. Underneath that fiberglass insulation you see in the pics, all the individual pipes & fittings are wrapped & taped with foam insulation. Took 1.5 days to complete the entire project.
I additionally poured 1 gallon of RV pink anti-freeze into the gray & black tanks. Once hooked up at the CG, I pulled the dump valves for just a second to lube the valves with anti-freeze.
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12-20-2016, 08:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,400
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More pics.
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12-20-2016, 07:46 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Lenexa KS
Posts: 2,074
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I've had water lines freeze three times. Once in my 95 Bounder and twice in my 2002 Safari. I had to amp up the basement & wet bay heat to fight the poorly insulated compartments. Didn't like it one bit (using a 1500 watt heater) where I couldn't supervise it but it was necessary. With extreme camping you have to do what you have to do. The good news is after I thawed I never had any damage hopefully you will be as fortunate.
__________________
Bill & Kelli 2015 Dutch Star 4366
2002 Safari Zanzibar 3906
1995 Fleetwood Bounder 36JD
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12-20-2016, 09:40 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Livingston, TX
Posts: 1,088
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Pigman 1....
I'd love to see how you rigged you fixtures... if you could possibly post a few pics, I'd appreciate it....
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12-21-2016, 04:35 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Frankfort, Ky
Posts: 143
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Sorry
Forgot which forum this thread was on. The 125 watt lights I use, I get at Lowe's, and are called "brooder" lights. Thought the 125 watt were a better use than the red which I remember as 250 watt. Couldn't find them anyway. Just plugged in the "Farm Innovators" thermistor outlet. Seems to have worked over night as both bays are in the low 40d's. Only 20d this past night (heat wave).
My water lines cross over athwartship to the water heater and vanity. Had a problem on that far side and snaked an extension cord and put an old incandescent light on that side. All plugged into the thermistor which will handle 1800 watts and 15 amps.
__________________
Tim, with co-pilots Bert n Ernie(RIP)-
Felines Extraordinaire
'94 Pace Arrow 33X, 454 7.4L; '05 Jeep G. C. LTD
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12-21-2016, 11:43 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 56
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magilla sent you PM
__________________
2014 Tiffin 36LA, added banks kit, magnum inverter, sumo springs, 5 star tune.
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