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Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 7:58 am
by russedgar
KYAvion, storm windows or wrapping the windows on the inside works great. We spent two winters in North Central Ohio (down to -15) in the skirted 34 XB shown in the pictures. Lynne attached wooden strips around the windows and then used a clear shrink wrap made for the purpose.

If anyone actually wants to make a skirt for their Avion, we may be able to help you with the construction details.

Best regards,

Russ

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 8:23 am
by KYAvion
Nice trailer, Russ. I'm trying to picture the wooden strips. Do you have a pic by chance?

Ideally I was thinking plexi cut to fit and pressed against a rubber seal inside the frame. Some sort of clip or wedge would be needed to hold them in place.

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 9:24 am
by Razorback
Yes, Russ, that was a nice Avion!
I knew I had seen it somewhere before!

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 1:34 pm
by russedgar
KYAvion, Lynne will look for a picture, but don't hold your breath. I do not think there is one.

What she did was afix four thin wooden strips around the window with SS screws. Then place the clear plastic on the strips with a double sided tape. Then use a hair dryer or heat gun to stretch the plastic. This storm window comes as a kit from Lowe's or other.

Best regards,

Russ

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:43 pm
by KYAvion
I see what your saying. It's just something to allow that plastic film to attach to. Thanks.

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 8:27 am
by KYAvion
silverloaf wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2017 10:27 am
Also, what's the coldest temperature you have encountered and still remained functional?

Bob

We decided to do a New Year's trip. We arrived last night when it was a cold 20 degrees. Heating pads work great on the black tank, so no issues there. It's 10 degrees outside this morning and water is running just fine. We woke to a pretty comfortable 62 degrees inside, which was maintained by 2 space heaters. I did run the furnace last night to warm the camper up to 70 degrees upon our arrival, but other than that it hasn't run. Life is good.

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:01 am
by silverloaf
KY,

What is your heat source for the gray tank? How do you keep the fresh water tank from freezing without the furnace running?

Bob

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 5:49 pm
by KYAvion
I am connected to city water with a Valterra ebony line hose with Frost King heat tape/cable from Lowes. The water hose is also covered with foam pipe insulation. If I were to use the freshwater tank I'd probably put a 12v heater on it, or run the furnace periodically.

As far as the grey tank, I haven't had any issues with it freezing up to the point of things backing up. I suppose it could, but I guess there's enough hot water that runs into it to keep it thawed. I also leave my grey valve open.

Someday when I have the bellypan opened up, I'll probably install 2 heat pads (7 x 25) operated via a switch on both the grey and freshwater tank just to have as a backup in case it's ever needed.

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:45 pm
by silverloaf
KYAvion wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:35 pm Since I do a lot of winter camping, I've decided to install 12v heating pads on the black tank and the pipe between the tank and gate valve. I installed a 12" x 18" pad on the black tank and a 7" x 25" pad around the pipe exiting the black tank. I installed both and unfortunately the 12" x 18" pad doesn't work. I've ordered a replacement, but decided to go with two 7" x 25" pads on the black tank so if one happens to fail the other will still do the job. Since I leave my trailer plugged in 24/7 and it takes awhile for the black tank to fill up, these pads will allow me to use water in the toilet as opposed to flushing with antifreeze as I've done in the past.

So while I had the underbelly taken apart to install the pads, I removed the nasty fiberglass insulation. In the meantime I'll put new fiberglass back in place, but I wondered why Avion didn't apply spray foam to the outside of the tanks? Off the top of my head, I can't think of any drawbacks. The foam would make isolating a leak more difficult, but generally that's not a concern.
Is this similar to the tank heater you used?

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Fresh-Water ... R-RVP-feat

Bob

Re: Tank heaters and insulation

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 8:52 pm
by KYAvion
Similar. That's the 12" x 18 1/4" heater. I used TWO of the 7 1/4" x 25" heaters on my black tank, and one of the
7 1/4" x 25" heaters wrapped around the pipe between the black tank and gate valve.

I decided on two of the 7 1/4" x 25" pads on the black tank so if the thermostat on one of the pads happens to fail, then I still have a second functioning heater.