TANK HEATER QUESTIONSQ-1) When buying an RV are UltraHeat® products standard equipment?
A) No, most RV manufacturer's offer UltraHeat® as either a stand alone option or as part of a package (Polar Package, Arctic package, etc.). Before you purchase your RV ask your dealer if the holding tanks have UltraHeat® as an option.
Q-2) Can I use this RV year round (summer, spring, fall & winter)?
A) Only if you have an electrically heated drainage system. Q-3) Are UltraHeat® heaters difficult to use?
A) No, once power is supplied, temperature is approaching freezing and liquid in the tanks, the tank heaters
will work automatically. The liquid in the tank is monitored with a built-in sensor, activating and deactivating automatically based on the temperature of the liquid in the tank. Pipe and elbow
heaters are not sensor controlled but rather are controlled
by a switch. Turn them "on" when liquid is in the system and the temperature is close to freezing and "off" when no liquid is in the system or the temperature remains above freezing.
Q-4) How many UltraHeat® Tank Heaters will be needed to
protect my recreational vehicle (RV)?
A)
In most cases, one UltraHeat® tank heater per holding
tank is needed to protect your RV. The average RV has three holding
tanks however there could be as many as five tanks and each tank that
is located below the floor would require a heater. Q-5) My RV has an enclosed underbelly with air from the furnace blowing into it. Do I still need to use Ultra
Heat Holding Tank Heaters?
A) Yes,
Forced air heat is only effective when the air is
moving or circulating around the tanks, RV's that try to use forced air
to heat the underbelly will typically use a 2" or 4" flexible
duct directly under the furnace to heat the entire underbelly. This
would be like trying to heat the bedroom of your RV with the door shut
and the only vent is located in the living room. UltraHeat® Holding Tank Heaters will still be necessary
to give your holding tanks protection from freezing.
Q-6) How does the Model 3600 Tank Heater work?
A) The Model 3600 Tank Heater is actually two separate tank
heaters in one, a 12 volt (DC) heating element and
an isolated 120 volt (AC) heating element. Each heating element operates
independent of the other. To protect
a 60-gallon (227 L) holding tank the DC and AC power
must operate simultaneously. If the volume of liquid in the tank is 30-gallons (113 L) either the DC or the AC side of the heater would be sufficient and the other can be powered off.
Q-7) What is the advantage to the Model 3600 Tank Heater vs a single voltage heater?
A) When you are parked, the 120v (AC) side of the heater
can be used eliminating any undo stress to be placed on the 12v
converter.When traveling, the Tank Heater can utilize the 12v (DC) power from the
alternator of the vehicle allowing you to maintain liquidity in
the tanks.
Q-8) When should the UltraHeat® Tank Heaters be turned "ON"?
When should it be turned "OFF"?
A-1) The Tank Heater should be turned "OFF" when there is NO liquid in the tanks.
A-2) The Tank Heaters should be turned "OFF" when the outside
temperature stays above freezing. A-3) The Tank Heaters
should be powered "ON" when there is liquid in the tank and the outside temperature approaches freezing and remains cold.
Q-9) Why do the heaters need to be switched if they are sensor controlled?
A) The heaters must be turned off when there is NO liquid present. The built-in sensor monitors the temperature of liquid in the tank. For this reason, we also recommend each tank has a separate switch.
Q-10) Will the UltraHeat® Tank Heater damage the holding tank if no liquid is in the tank when the Tank Heater is "ON"?
A) If
the holding tank is completely empty there is a possibility that damage
could occur especially if the ambient temperature is above freezing.
When there is liquid in the tank it absorbs and distributes heat from
the heater without liquid in the tank, it would be like putting an empty pot on
your stove. The pot will get hot and scorch or possibly burn if
left unattended.Q-11) How do you know if the UltraHeat® Tank Heater is working?
A) With
power on and liquid in the tank (close to freezing), the tank
heater will activate and deactivate, based on the temperature of the
liquid in the tank. Check the tank heater periodically by touching the
black foam pad, in the
center of the tank heater, for warmth.
This warmth indicates that the tank heater is working properly. (for a
more detailed troubleshooting see Technical Questions page)Q-12) Is regular maintenance required on the UltraHeat® Tank Heater?
A) NO. But you will still want to periodically check the UltraHeat®
Tank Heater for damage, loose wires, etc. Q-13) The UltraHeat® Tank Heater I have on my RV is not listed anywhere
on the website. How can I find information about the heater on my RV? A) For information on heaters or products not found on our website please contact us by clicking here.Q-14) Do UltraHeat® Tank Heaters have third party certifications
for U.S. Europe and Canadian safety standards?
A) Yes, all UltraHeat® products carry certifications by accredited
testing laboratories. Testing Engineers International (TEI) certify that all Ultra
Heat products meet the appropriate testing and safety requirements for U.S. safety
standards. Quality Auditing Institute (QAI) certifies that UltraHeat®'s 12
Volt DC powered tank heaters meet the appropriate testing and safety requirements for
Canadian safety standards. European Union (EU) certify that all Ultra
Heat products meet the appropriate testing and safety requirements for European safety
standards.Q-15) Does the UltraHeat® Tank Heater have a warranty?
A) YES. A ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. Extended warranties are available
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PIPE & ELBOW HEATER QUESTIONSQ-16) Do I need to protect my drainage system (pipes
and elbows) from freezing if I already have UltraHeat® Tank Heaters on
my holding tanks?
A) YES.
The drain pipes between the holding tank and the termination valve need
to be protected. Because of their location, these pipes fill before the
holding tank and will freeze first. Drain pipes filling the holding
tank do not need freeze protection. With frozen pipes, the RV's tanks
cannot dump which will prevent the use of the toilet, shower and sinks. This is a major inconvenience. Q-17) Are 120 Volt (AC) UltraHeat® Pipe and Elbow Heaters available?
A) NO, all UltraHeat® Pipe and Elbow Heaters are powered with 12 Volts (DC). Q-18) Do UltraHeat® Pipe and Elbow Heaters work the same way the UltraHeat® Tank Heater works?A) NO,
Pipe and Elbow Heaters do not have a built-in sensor to control when
they activate and deactivate. For this reason Pipe and Elbow heaters
must be controlled with a switch.
Q-19) When should the UltraHeat® Pipe and Elbow Heaters be
turned "ON"? When should it be turned "OFF"?
A-1) Power should be turned "ON" when the outside temperature approaches freezing and remains cold.
A-2) Power should be turned "OFF" when the
outside temperature stays above freezing. A-3) Power should be turned "OFF" when the black and gray holding tanks and
drain pipes are being dumped.
A-4) Power should be turned "OFF" when the fresh water holding tanks and supply pipes
are being drained for storage.
A-5) Power should be turned "OFF" if the RV is connected to city sewer and the gate valves are open.
Q-20) How do you know if the UltraHeat® Pipe and Elbow Heaters
are working?
A) With
liquid present turn the power "ON" wait approximately ten minutes.
Touch
the black foam pad in the center of the heater, you should feel warmth
from the heating element. This warmth indicates that the heater
is working properly.
Q) Should liquid be in the drain pipes & elbows or fresh
water supply pipes when the UltraHeat® Pipe and Elbow Heaters are "ON"?
A) Yes,
liquid must always be in the drain pipes, elbows and
fresh water supply pipes, where heaters are located, when the power is
"ON." The location of the pipes and elbows where heaters would be
located will always have liquid in them, if there is liquid in the
holding
Q-21) Will the Pipe or Elbow Heaters damage the
drain pipes & elbows or fresh water supply pipes if no liquid is in
them when the heaters are "ON"?
A) Yes, the pipe and elbow heaters may soften rigid/hard
plastic pipe if they are “ON” and there is no liquid in the pipes.
Q-22) Is regular maintenance required on the UltraHeat®
Pipe and Elbow Heaters?
A) No. But you will still want to periodically check the Pipe and Elbow Heaters for damage, loose wires, etc.
Q-23) Do the UltraHeat® Pipe and Elbow Heaters have a warranty?
A) YES. A ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. Extended warranties are
available here. GATE VALVE HEATER QUESTIONS
Q-24) When should my gate valve heaters be turned onA) The gate valve should be turned on approximately 20 minutes before you plan to dump your holding tanks.
Q-25) Should I wire my gate valve heater with my pipe and elbow heaters?
A) NO, The gate valve should be controlled independently from all the other heaters.
Q-26) Are the gate valve heaters similar to the pipe and elbow heaters?
A) YES, The gate valve heaters work the same way as pipe and elbow heaters. The only difference is in the when you turn them on and off, see (Q-19 and Q-24)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR QUESTIONS
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