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tim.kyfl · 12-10-2016, 04:37 PM

Up at 4:15 to prepare for work. Made coffee. Went to wash up (vanity and water heater on opposite side of coach. No hot water, no cold water - uh-oh. Thought I'd thought of everything. Heat lamps in wet bays. Remote sensor thermometer to monitor. Heated hose. Spigot heated, wrapped in insulation and covered. Cabinet doors open.

Where the pipes cross over there is just a piece of aluminum in the basement covering that side. The heat is not radiating down the corridor between the tanks and the wall. I had one incandescent light left an stuffed it into the corridor, replaced the aluminium. Went to a short day of work and returned to find we were thawed. No leaks. I presume the thought was the tanks would provide the heat. I dumped in anticipation of 13d today and similar for tonight. I do like to shower especially on Sat. lol.

I do not think heating that basement will help as there is 3/4-1" of ply as a bed for the tanks separating it. Have to think of a way to send heat down that approx 4" sq corridor.l as don't like the extra lamp stuffed in there.

Any suggestions. Thanks in advance

**Spdracr39** · 12-10-2016, 04:43 PM

Not sure of what that corridor is used for but you could stuff it full of insulation or use spray foam for something more permanent.

SkiSmuggs · 12-10-2016, 04:45 PM

I've heard of some using the DeLonghi oil fill radiators in the basement.

Snowman9000 · 12-10-2016, 04:46 PM

Maybe a small fan?

wa8yxm · 12-10-2016, 05:05 PM

There may be good news and there may be not so good news and there may be bad news.. If good you may already know.

PEX, (the pipes used in most motor homes and RVs) Actually does not mind being frozen all that much.. Elbows and adapters and other hard plastic fittings on the end of the PEX pipes... They are ... Less pleased with freezing.

The lines that cross over likely froze in the middle of the run, as far from an elbow or fitting as you can get.. and thus when they thaw, you are likely good.. I've been both lucky and not so lucky the lucky time I had heat in the bay ends but none in the center.

tim.kyfl · 12-10-2016, 06:16 PM

The corridor is the space between the waste tanks and a bulkhead for the next bay

The pipes are fastened to the ceiling of the bay (of under the coach floor however you wish to look at it. I don't know if insulating them would be good. Would be difficult to thaw should it not work.

I was thinking a fan, or 2, like is used on the refer vents. The opposite side is currently 41d and ambient is 26d now. Plenty of heat, no distribution

The bay is split, lengthwise, with heavy timber to support the weight of the tanks. To heat the bottom portion I feel would be fruitless as the upper is blocked. There is only 4 +/-" exposed to the top of the bay door.

Off Road · 12-10-2016, 06:45 PM

Is there any way to put heat tape on those pipes? I am a big fan of the self regulating heat tape with some foam pipe insulation over it. This would only work if you were hooked up to power but if it gets real cold it might do the trick. There also is a stick type de-humidifier made for gun safes. They are basically about a two foot long rod that heats up slightly. You can put your hand on it but it is warm to the touch, maybe 110-120 degrees. One of those might slip in that slot and they are pretty low cost.

Walter5555 · 12-10-2016, 07:04 PM

Turn a faucet on so it just drips in the sink that will keep the water from freezing.
If your connected to an out side faucet.
just a thought.

tim.kyfl · 12-11-2016, 04:27 AM

Heat tape would be awesome. However, cannot wrap. Would have to rig an applicator to apply. The gun safe hootie sounds like the ticket may be two on a thermistor outlet. Will think that out.

I considered dripping the faucet, but being on tank during these cold spells leaves me nervous. I really hate it when the shower pan begins to fill.

spritz · 12-11-2016, 05:07 AM

Not sure how much room ya have but I use and carry a high velocity fan, on low it moves the air through out the MH and it works great.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...54483_1000.jpg
Tim

**JohnRR** · 12-11-2016, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim.kyfl

I considered dripping the faucet, but being on tank during these cold spells leaves me nervous. I really hate it when the shower pan begins to fill.

How about for a temporary use fix let the water drip into a gallon milk container then use that to flush the toilet.

I have to admit I'm not so sure how long/quick it would fill the container overnight, you'd have to test it during the daytime when your up.

tim.kyfl · 12-11-2016, 03:49 PM

Spritz, pipe is in basement running athwartship, driver to passenger side. Corridor is .maybe 4" x 6"

If a drop is one ounce and drips ever 10 seconds, then a gallon will be reached in 21 minutes (128 oz / 6 oz a min = 21.3333 min). Can't do it

Gordon Dewald · 12-11-2016, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowman9000

Maybe a small fan?

Like the cooling fan for the CPU on a computer or the cooling fan for a fridge.

Moving the warm air around is your friend.

HarveyP · 12-11-2016, 08:07 PM

I have a similar situation with my plumbing. I have heat tape in there, but also could not wrap around the pipe, so no real help. A few days ago, I bought a 25 foot string of C-7 incandescent Christmas lights at Lowes for about 9 bucks. I had fiberglass rods from Harbor Freight used for running/pulling electric wires. I was able to tape light wires to the rod and push the string into the cavity, or at least near enough that I have not frozen up since then. The lightbulbs stay cool enough that I can hold them in my hand with no discomfort, so I am not afraid of melting anything. The string of lights is long enough that I could run it to a storage bay with the outlet that feeds 120 volts to my converter. Now I have a few Christmas light under my motorhome. I won't use it running down the road, but glad to have heat while parked. Good luck, HarveyP