Heated tanks?
Hi again folks, so My Class A has "heated waste tanks" as labeled on the waste tank compartment door. I'm trying to figure out how this works. there's no on\off switch that I can find anywhere . ...
Forum Discussion
Usmcsousa wrote:
Thank you everybody, I see no sign of any type of electrical source of heating in the area so it must be ducted from the furnace somewhere else. Its about near impossible to inspect the area above or behind the tanks . Maybe when this artic polar vortex shenanigan passes I'll be more willing to try and remove things without my fingers freezing off.
The term "Heated Tanks" is in some cases, nothing more than a marketing gimick. There are varying degrees of tank heat, and, the manufacturers use the same terminology for all of them. They all say they have "heated tanks". Here are some of the various levels:
1. Enclosed underbelly - A small amount of interior heat will radiate through the floor. Very little heat reaches the tanks. If furnace is not runnning, no heat at all.
2. Enclosed underbelly with insulation around the tanks. Here again, it is very little radiant heat through the floor, and, only while furnace is running.
3. Enclosed underbelly with insulation and a heat duct near the tanks. A little more radiant heat. No heat with furnace off.
4. Enclosed underbelly with insulation and heat duct blowing warm air around the tanks. No heat with furnace off.
5. Enclosed underbelly with insulation, heat duct blowing warm air, and electric heat pads on the tanks. This is the only one that heats the tanks with furnace off. Some pads are 12 volt only, some 120 volt only, and some are combination 12 / 120 volt. Some are on / off only. Some are on / off with built in thermostat.
Various manufacturers use various levels and they all call it "Heated Tanks".
When you see or hear that term, first question should be -- How are they heated?
