Tank heater question

[jb1911]

My coach has switches near the exit door over the sink that turn the black and grey tank heaters on and off. I assume they work off the house batteries so you can drive down a frozen road on the way south. Is there any way to tell if they are working or not?

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by jb1911

My coach has switches near the exit door over the sink that turn the black and grey tank heaters on and off. I assume they work off the house batteries so you can drive down a frozen road on the way south. Is there any way to tell if they are working or not?

Doesn't really matter which batteries it works off of while you're driving: If your charging system is working properly the alternator will charge both systems.

You could see if they are warm, but the outside temps have to be cold enough for them to turn on (I think they switch on below 40F).

[Laco]

Have to hope they work, but I guess to be sure, you would have to reach under the coach and do the touch test, to see if they are warm.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by jb1911

My coach has switches near the exit door over the sink that turn the black and grey tank heaters on and off. I assume they work off the house batteries so you can drive down a frozen road on the way south. Is there any way to tell if they are working or not?

I always assumed tank heaters worked off AC shore power for those really cold nights when the contents of the tanks may freeze. I never considered it a problem if you were travelling.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Tfryman

I always assumed tank heaters worked off AC shore power for those really cold nights when the contents of the tanks may freeze. I never considered it a problem if you were travelling.

On our Axis the tank heaters are 12V--I tapped into one of them for power so I know positively that they are 12V.