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Tank Drain Pipe Heaters

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:42 pm
by KYAvion
In addition to pad heaters on my black tank, I also installed a 25" long pad heater around the pipe between my black tank and gate valve. They make designated pipe heaters that one would wire in with a switch, but since the pad heater was the perfect length for my application and also operates via a thermostat, I went that route instead.

I'm debating whether to install a switch on the pipe heater so I can turn it on only prior to dumping. Gate valve heaters work in this fashion--only being turned on just prior to dumping. My question is, with the heater only being turned on just prior to dumping, would any expansion in the pipe from freezing just make its way into the black tank?

Re: Tank Drain Pipe Heaters

Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 6:25 pm
by pbsled
Do you run those heaters instead of adding some antifreeze to waste water or in addition?

Re: Tank Drain Pipe Heaters

Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 7:07 pm
by KYAvion
I run the heat pad around the black drain pipe pipe and the black tank pad heaters INSTEAD OF adding RV antifreeze to the black tank. I use our trailer routinely throughout the winter, so these heaters allow me to not have to worry about dumping the black tank or adding antifreeze to the tank between uses.