Holding Tanks freeze protection

[JoeDS]

I'm looking into additional heating pads on my Vegas tanks. I have noticed that the vendors that sell elbow and gate valve heaters don't include thermostats on those items. They recommend only turning them on when dumping. IE do not turn on unless the areas are frozen and its time to dump.



This implies to me that freezing in these areas will not damage the piping I guess due to the ability of the fluid to expand into the holding tank which is heated.



Anyone have any "experience" with this? (PS dont say use antifreeze. I am looking at long term winter solution about tank heaters)

[Harvard]

The most likely place for a holding tank to freeze (expand and split) are in the exit pipes upstream of the gate valves. IMO.

[JoeDS]

Originally Posted by Harvard

The most likely place for a holding tank to freeze (expand and split) are in the exit pipes upstream of the gate valves. IMO.

Then why does the mfr of the heating pads for elbows and gate valves say don't leave them on and only turn on to thaw out before dumping? I would think on short runs the liquid would expand into the holding tank and not split the pipe?!

[Bob Denman]

Holding tanks at risk of freezing?
Head South until you find a place where they've never heard of anything as foolish as a snow shovel.
Oh! Anything not protected by insulation or heat will likely freeze at the least opportune time...

[lwmcguire]

Absolutely

Originally Posted by Harvard

The most likely place for a holding tank to freeze (expand and split) are in the exit pipes upstream of the gate valves. IMO.

[lwmcguire]

Temperature has the final say

If you're at Vail or Southern Oklahoma it will make a difference as how hard they freeze

There have been hundreds of threads of folks with split black and gray pvc lines

Originally Posted by JoeDS

Then why does the mfr of the heating pads for elbows and gate valves say don't leave them on and only turn on to thaw out before dumping? I would think on short runs the liquid would expand into the holding tank and not split the pipe?!

[gte534j]

generally solids will settle to the lowest point- reducing the the freezing point.
However- a elbow heating pad is probably worth a few $$$ of protection if you are camping in really cold areas.

[JoeDS]

Originally Posted by gte534j

generally solids will settle to the lowest point- reducing the the freezing point.
However- a elbow heating pad is probably worth a few $$$ of protection if you are camping in really cold areas.

Interesting. Did not know that. Thanks