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Desert_Captain's avatar
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Aug 14, 2020

A dangling tank heater...

Just got home yesterday after a great 4 day trip up to the Mogollon Rim to beat the heat here in Tucson. Went out this morning to wash the rig and saw the black tank heater dangling, mostly held in place by the power wires.



Evidently after 8 plus years the adhesive used to secure the heater to the bottom of the tank finally gave up its grip. I applied clear Gorilla Glue and used a two by to support my bottle jack. Then I slid a scrap piece of 3/4" plywood to evenly distribute pressure onto the heater in order to give the glue a chance to set up.

I placed two long pieces of 2" Gorilla Tape across each end. Once the glue sets {should be pretty well there in a couple of hours as it is in the low 90's already} I will drop the jack and place a couple more strips of tape across the middle of the heater to further secure until the glue can reach full strength which takes a day or two. Probably will just leave the tape in place
until it eventually dries out and can be removed cleanly.



Fortunately I won't be using the tanks heaters for a few months though they did a get a work out last June up in Yellowstone and the Grand Teton's. I checked the grey tank heater and it appears to be secure but will monitor it for any signs of loosening up as we bounce down the
dusty trail.

:C
  • It's always been in the back of my mind, how these things stay attached with just adhesive/glue. I may add some tape to mine as a reinforcing agent, just in case. They've never been used.
    Thanks for the repair demo pics.
  • Desert Captain wrote:
    Just got home yesterday after a great 4 day trip up to the Mogollon Rim to beat the heat here in Tucson. Went out this morning to wash the rig and saw the black tank heater dangling, mostly held in place by the power wires.



    Evidently after 8 plus years the adhesive used to secure the heater to the bottom of the tank finally gave up its grip. I applied clear Gorilla Glue and used a two by to support my bottle jack. Then I slid a scrap piece of 3/4" plywood to evenly distribute pressure onto the heater in order to give the glue a chance to set up.

    I placed two long pieces of 2" Gorilla Tape across each end. Once the glue sets {should be pretty well there in a couple of hours as it is in the low 90's already} I will drop the jack and place a couple more strips of tape across the middle of the heater to further secure until the glue can reach full strength which takes a day or two. Probably will just leave the tape in place
    until it eventually dries out and can be removed cleanly.



    Fortunately I won't be using the tanks heaters for a few months though they did a get a work out last June up in Yellowstone and the Grand Teton's. I checked the grey tank heater and it appears to be secure but will monitor it for any signs of loosening up as we bounce down the
    dusty trail.

    :C
    Nice work there Desert Captain!