Winter camping

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

The easy way to check the tank heater would Be with a amp meter or if you have a battery monitor . If you don't have either there may be another way. Shut off the inverter turn all 12 volt stuff off. Hit the factor battery monitor indicator. This should show all lights and read full. Now turn on both tank heaters. Recheck the battery indicator. If working they should be enough voltage drop to show up on the indicator. so now it might only read 3/4 full. not the best way but should work in a pinch.
On the water line if you get up in the night crack the faucet and pull a little water out of it. This may help. Even if tank heaters are working they will not help the water line.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by richardr

Here is a question: I've wondered if my heating pads are actually working, but can't figure out how to tell. I thought of taking a resistance reading, but that would only work when switch to energize them is shut. Any ideas?

With those sustained cold temperatures your fresh tank would likely be frozen solid if the heat pad wasn’t working. There is not enough heat loss through the trailer floor to keep the tank warm. The fact that you had flowing water at 8F after thawing out the pump suction line tells me your fresh tank pad is working.

[Warmhat]

Originally Posted by NEWYORKHILLBILLY

The easy way to check the tank heater would Be with a amp meter or if you have a battery monitor . If you don't have either there may be another way. Shut off the inverter turn all 12 volt stuff off. Hit the factor battery monitor indicator. This should show all lights and read full. Now turn on both tank heaters. Recheck the battery indicator. If working they should be enough voltage drop to show up on the indicator. so now it might only read 3/4 full. not the best way but should work in a pinch.
On the water line if you get up in the night crack the faucet and pull a little water out of it. This may help. Even if tank heaters are working they will not help the water line.

Has anyone tried useing "minco heat trace cables" on water lines that run under trailers .. thought you be the one to ask .warmhat