Tank heaters falling off....

[MikeInMaine]

On our 2020 Precept 31 UL I found all the tank heater pads falling down. Very poor installation IMHO. Short of trying to rig something underneath them to keep them in contact with the tanks has anyone found an adhesive or tape that is working long-term to maintain tank contact? TIA

[Jopopsy]

Happened on every motorized coach I've had from Jayco. To be honest I find them useless.

My fix has always been to run Eternabond tape along the perimeter of the tank pads. Clean the area w/ some acetone first, and put the tape on. Then run your roller over the tape, just like you would for a roof tape install.

Never had a tank pad fall off after that.

[pconroy]

Not uncommon. While mine are still on, I did add some Reflextix to my tanks. I used 3M Spray Adhesive 90. It's sticking very well!

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by pconroy

Not uncommon. While mine are still on, I did add some Reflextix to my tanks. I used 3M Spray Adhesive 90. It's sticking very well!

Hope you didn't cover the heaters, that's supposed to be a No No.

[mini4mw]

same issue, eternabond around the edges and been holding for 2+ years.

[ALJO]

Install plywood under the tanks (what I did). Tank heater are not that hot to start a fire.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Hope you didn't cover the heaters, that's supposed to be a No No.

I did.

[MikeInMaine]

Great input here, thanks to all and if anyone else has anything to ad I'd sure like to hear and/or see it!

[Vicr]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Hope you didn't cover the heaters, that's supposed to be a No No.

What's your scientific theory behind that??? It's a simple resistive heat load. In residential, commercial and industrial applications resistive heat sources are always insulated to make them work to maximum efficiency and to make the most out of the wattage consumed to create the heat.

[fizikpal]

I used Flex Seal tape (the informercial one). Works great.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Vicr

What's your scientific theory behind that??? It's a simple resistive heat load. In residential, commercial and industrial applications resistive heat sources are always insulated to make them work to maximum efficiency and to make the most out of the wattage consumed to create the heat.

I'd GUESS that Safe Heat's stance would be "don't do it because we haven't tested it" which is reasonable.


It might also affect the internal thermistor and how long the pad applies heat. Safe Heat could say you're getting a temperature that's not really ambient.


Those are just guesses on my part.

[Vicr]

I don’t have to guess. I’ve engineered and installed thousands of feet of resistive heat products to water piping and tanks. ALL of it was insulated after the electrical installation.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Vicr

What's your scientific theory behind that??? It's a simple resistive heat load. In residential, commercial and industrial applications resistive heat sources are always insulated to make them work to maximum efficiency and to make the most out of the wattage consumed to create the heat.

Not my theory that was based on some comments I read that they would not turn on and off properly since the thermo sensor was not exposed. Just like a heat tape or heated hose has that warning for their thermo.

That is why I said "supposed to be". Just throwing it out as a heads up.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Vicr

I don’t have to guess. I’ve engineered and installed thousands of feet of resistive heat products to water piping and tanks. ALL of it was insulated after the electrical installation.

X2, we have installed lots of them on machines at work. They are always insulated. They get warm, not crazy hot.

[MikeInMaine]

Originally Posted by pconroy

Not uncommon. While mine are still on, I did add some Reflextix to my tanks. I used 3M Spray Adhesive 90. It's sticking very well!

After reading all the advice I decided to try this route as it more closely duplicates what the factory was attempting to do. i couldn't find 90 so I used 77 instead. We shall see how well it holds up (pun intended!).

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Not my theory that was based on some comments I read that they would not turn on and off properly since the thermo sensor was not exposed. Just like a heat tape or heated hose has that warning for their thermo.

That is why I said "supposed to be". Just throwing it out as a heads up.

That makes sense to me. I don't know anything about the sensors but could envision a case where they would heat up faster due to the insulation around them and perhaps cause the pads to shut down prematurely.

Thanks again everyone!

[hartlenb]

Originally Posted by MikeInMaine

i couldn't find 90 so I used 77 instead...

What do the numbers 77 & 90 indicate for the 3M sprays?

[Banksville]

Same problem with my Alante...here's what the heat tape company advised..
Spray Adhesives Acceptable for Repairs on UltraHeat Heaters


3MTM 76 High Tack Adhesive



3MTM High Strength Adhesive 90



3MTM Super Trim Adhesive



676 High Performance Spray Adhesive – Russell Products Bristol, IN



Bostik Supertak High Performance Spray Adhesive



Boring-Smith Super Bond 4H High Temperature, High Strength Adhesive



Spray Rite All Purpose Adhesive – Chem Tech, Inc. Bristol, IN



STA’-PUT IV Multi-purpose Spray Adhesive SP4M - TACC Rockland, MA



STA’-PUT IV Multi-purpose Spray Adhesive SP4H – TACC Rockland, MA



Stick Up Heavy Duty All Purpose Adhesive – Beaver Research Co. Portage, MI



Sta-Put 2001M Solvent Free Multipurpose Adhesive – ITW Plexus Construction Adhesives



WT-HS13 (Can) High Strength Spray Adhesive – Westech Aerosol Corporation, Port Orchard, WA



WT-HSC13(Canister) High Strength Spray Adhesive – Westech Aerosol Corporation, Port Orchard, WA







Instructions (Please read completely before you attempt to repair)

Clean the tank area with isopropyl alcohol, and remove any debris from the pad that you can, spray both the tank area and the heat panel with the glue and let air dry to a tack free touch before you roll into place (like you do with laminate and contact cement). Make sure to firmly press the back of mounted panel to insure full contact of the area you are repairing.



This a list of products that we have tested and found readily available and suitable to make an adhesion repair on any of the UltraHeat brand of products. These products have been found to handle the higher heat output of our panels, and have an Adhesion Failure rating above 225°F (107°C), with high-tack properties for one-surface bonding applications. This recommended list does not encompass to all available products on the Market today, just the ones we have tested and found acceptable. Other examples that offer a high temperature failure rating above 225°F (107°C) and high-tack would in most cases work for repair if any of those on the list cannot be found.





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[Johnynorthland]

I used gorilla duct tape. Mine were falling off out of the dealership

[JaytheDJ]

I simply removed them. Cut and capped the wires. Never would i find myself in a situation where I would need them.

[hoppers4]

Originally Posted by JaytheDJ

I simply removed them. Cut and capped the wires. Never would i find myself in a situation where I would need them.

Best solution so far!