Water Heater

Options exist

Option 1: Fill at destination, used "Canned" water on voyage (Jerry cans or gallon bottles ISIDE, heat water on stove if need to do dishes)

Option 2: Fill but do not activate water pump See option 1 for what to do on road.

Option 3: Fill, fill lines, (turn on pump) and activate water heater.. This I knwo, if it's operating (on propane) and you have propane, it WILL NOT FREEZE (same is true if parked with shore power and on electric) very hard to freeze water when a fire is heating it to 120 degrees.

So if you keep water in your tank during cold weather, just keep it warm enough not to freeze.

j-d wrote:
I HAVE been told for years, "Fill the Ice Cube Trays with Hot Water."

I guess, if you're in a hurry for ice cubes. A trip to the store would be much faster.

That linked explanation sounds scientific and rational so I'll accept it. I HAVE been told for years, "Fill the Ice Cube Trays with Hot Water."

All other things being the same, hot water does freeze faster than cold water. Search for "Mpemba effect" for more. Here's another short explanation of a recent finding on covalent bonds:
http://www.iflscience.com/chemistry/hot-water-freezes-faster-cold-and-now-we-know-why

Johno02 wrote:
One thing I always think about is the old statement that ' hot water will freeze faster". I have no idea about this, but when it is very cold I can't help but wonder.

Of course hot water freezes slower all other things being the same. However, if your freezer is full of frost (hasn't been defrosted in a bit) and you put a metal ice tray in it to make some ice a tray with hot water in it it can "melt" through the frost build up and directly contact the cooling surface or a metal shelf. This will provide better heat transfer and could result in faster freezing. I believe that is where the expression comes from.

One thing I always think about is the old statement that ' hot water will freeze faster". I have no idea about this, but when it is very cold I can't help but wonder. We have survived many nights of freezing weather with water in the entire system, and have never had anything frozen yet. We did accumulate a block of ice in the fresh water tank one time, and I think we had ice in the black tank one time.

Should have mentioned that i need to have the Wh full of water as we will need to travel with maximum water.

Just leave the water heater turned to by pass until you get to warmer weather. Be sure you don't turn on the burner until you fill it with water.

2oldman wrote:
It should be fine. Gallons of water don't readily freeze. If it still worries you, a real easy fix is to turn it on.

Thanks for your thoughts. I have considered turning on the WH for about 30 minutes at night to keep things warm overnight,just not sure if it is necessary. Not too concerned about the water heater itself freezing just concerned about the inlets where they enter from the outside of the WH. Clear as mud...right.:)