Black and Gray Tank Heaters

[RoseyStapler]

I have an 2017 Thor Axis 24.1 which has electric tank heaters. My manual contains zero information on the proper usage of these tank heaters. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[JamieGeek]

Turn them on when temps are below about 40F or so. They have a thermostat and will only turn on when needed. Pretty simple to use.

[nosticks]

Additionally, crawl under your unit and see if the tank heaters are still attached to the tanks. Many, including mine, were loose to the point of falling off. Gorilla tape to the rescue.

[jannnda]

I was told that my 31Z had tank heaters....after a year I still have no idea how to turn them on. I think the sales guy was off his meds when he told me that.

[mountainsam]

the switches should be on your control panel. I can't tell you where because I have a different panel than yours but look closely, you should be able to find them. I would be very surprised if you didn't have them.

[jannnda]

Originally Posted by mountainsam

the switches should be on your control panel. I can't tell you where because I have a different panel than yours but look closely, you should be able to find them. I would be very surprised if you didn't have them.

i

I don’t see anything that looks like a switch for heated tanks

[mountainsam]

Originally Posted by jannnda

Attachment 20793i Attachment 20793

I don’t see anything that looks like a switch for heated tanks

I found this in your manual on line.

Your vehicle’s holding tank compartments are heated by the furnace duct work. It will heat the tanks when the furnace is operating.


Thats a great idea but isn't much protection if it's sitting in your driveway with the heater off.

Maybe a Hurricane owner will jump in with the facts.

[jannnda]

I did see that about the furnace. I was told heated tanks. When I asked him “heated like when I am on shore power “? He said yes. Oh well... good thing I live in South Texas.

[JamieGeek]

The OP has an Axis which has the tanks below the floor and thus aren't heated by a duct--they have the heaters glued to the bottom of the tanks.

[jannnda]

The OP? Heaters glued to the floor? Sorry I have no idea what that means.

[bry899]

OP is Original Poster,
In the Axis heating pads are glued to the bottom of the tanks (underneath exterior.)

[jannnda]

Originally Posted by bry899

OP is Original Poster,

In the Axis heating pads are glued to the bottom of the tanks (underneath exterior.)

Thanks for the “OP” translation.
If I have pads glued to the bottom of my tanks, how do I turn them on in cold weather?

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by jannnda

Thanks for the “OP” translation.
If I have pads glued to the bottom of my tanks, how do I turn them on in cold weather?

There should be a switch on your control panel by the water pump switch and the others

[gmc]

Originally Posted by jannnda

Thanks for the “OP” translation.
If I have pads glued to the bottom of my tanks, how do I turn them on in cold weather?

If you had heated pads, the switches would be on the panel you photographed... Between lack of switches, and the manual documentation mountainsam found, you do NOT have electric tank heaters... it is only heated when furnace is on via ductwork.
Thor uses both methods depending on the model. My Hurricane (2014 32A) has the electric pads with switches on main control panel.
Sales people know not what they sell...

[Carle]

I have a 2016 24.1 and there are 2 switches on the main control panel. They say 'tank heaters' black and grey (on or off). They are between the slide switch and the water pump switch. Strange your 2017 is not the same.

[Badmanrick]

Just purchased a 2019 Hurricane 34j. All it says in the brochure is Enclosed and heated holding tanks. Must mean furnace heated. Does anyone know if they are electricly heated?
My Keystone Bullet Premier had heated holding tanks from the ducted furnace.

[EVMIII]

I know my ACE the tanks are ducted from the furnace. I just turn on my furnace at the lowest setting on the few nights in South Mississippi its projected to freeze. I'm figuring the cost of the propane used is far less than the cost of repairing a cracked tank. If I lived in a cold weather climate I would definetly have electric heaters on the tanks.

[Cwray]

Originally Posted by Badmanrick

Just purchased a 2019 Hurricane 34j. All it says in the brochure is Enclosed and heated holding tanks. Must mean furnace heated. Does anyone know if they are electricly heated?

I also have a 2019 34J for a couple of years, and haven’t found any switches to turn on for tank heating. Haven’t seen much (any) documentation on this either.

[jannnda]

Originally Posted by Cwray

I also have a 2019 34J for a couple of years, and haven’t found any switches to turn on for tank heating. Haven’t seen much (any) documentation on this either.

I have a 31Z 2018 and just found out that the furnace heats the tanks. Looked for switches for the last year.

[Cwray]

Originally Posted by Cwray

I also have a 2019 34J for a couple of years, and haven’t found any switches to turn on for tank heating. Haven’t seen much (any) documentation on this either.

Actually, this thread inspired a deeper search and I found this n our 34J Owners Manual:

“ Your vehicle’s holding tank compartments are heated by the furnace duct work. It will heat the tanks when the furnace is operating.”

So, there you go. I would prefer the electric ones. The need to keep those tanks from freezing over while not using the furnace is fairly remote, I admit. But having just done a 3-day cold 38 degree weekend, I was surprised to see that we used 2/3rds the LP capacity. On future cold trips with a full hookup—I’ll prolly bring an electric heater. Then again, relying on the electric too much might allow the tanks to freeze up. :-/