Heated holding tanks (12V pads)

[Boudreaux]

Calling out to those with more experience.

I thought I was well versed with my '16 Greyhawk MV. I'm looking at the Jayco factory specs for my coach and ran across a standard spec of "Heated holding tanks (12V pads)".

TO the best of my knowledge I don't think I have that, but the factory specs call this item standard. I don't recall seeing any kind of switch for this item.

Anyone here know about the Heated holding tanks (12V pads) ?
Are they automatic on and off? Have I missed something....

What's the scoop.....

[tom463219]

In my 2016 Greyhawk 31DS the switch to heat the tanks is in the bathroom by the sink near the water heater control.

[Boudreaux]

Thank you Tom. After some discussion with the wife, we were under the impression that the bathroom heater switch controlled the on-demand water heater because it was near the hot water dial.

Now it makes more sense considering there were time the switch was off and we were still able to retrieve hot water. Thanks a bunch .......

[pconroy]

Don't feel too bad - I made that mistake too initially. Thought the water heater's on off switch was there.

Bear in mind, that - according to what I've read - leave them off if the tanks are empty.

[Boudreaux]

Initially because of our error of thought in the tank heater switch, we first decided that the safest thing to do in regards to freezing weather was to stay home in mid winter.

Now that we know about the 12volt tank heater pads, we are beginning to think about venturing out a little earlier than Spring.

Can anyone with real experience, tell me just how reliable those 12 volt heating pads are??

[pconroy]

We've used them in 15*F weather. "Seemed" to keep things from freezing.

[Boudreaux]

Originally Posted by pconroy

We've used them in 15*F weather. "Seemed" to keep things from freezing.

Thanks PCONROY, When experiencing 15* weather, how do you handles the water hose ...?? Do you turn if off and drain it...??

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Boudreaux

Thanks PCONROY, When experiencing 15* weather, how do you handles the water hose ...?? Do you turn if off and drain it...??

It depends on how long you'll be that far below freezing. We usually aren't out in that much cold. So I just disconnect the water hose - both ends - and just blow it out (lung power). Then coil in and stuff it in the 'basement'.

If it's that cold - I have a small electric heater in the basement (fed from the 20A recepticle in the pedestal) and I try to keep the basement nice and toasty since all of the plumbing in our 31FK is down there.

Then a 60 watt light bulb in the fridge compartment, seal up the outside vents with duct tape and kick the fridge over to propane mode.

I bought two $1 thermometers from Walmart and stuffed them in the outside fridge compartment and the basement and then checked the temps to make sure things were heated well.

I don't bother with any of this when the temps just *dip* to 30*F or higher.


Professional winter campers will buy a heated water hose. Most of the campgrounds up here that support winter camping will have heated water pipes at the pedestal and a 15-20A breaker there for your heated hose.

Heated water hoses aren't cheap ($100+ for 25'). Some folks make their own.