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Frequently Asked Questions About UltraHeat® Products for Recreational Vehicles |
Tank Heater FAQs
Q) How many UltraHeat® Tank Heaters will be needed to
protect my recreational vehicle (RV)?
A) That will depend on how many holding tanks are mounted below
the floor of your particular RV. All of holding tanks below the floor (black tank - septic;
gray tank - sinks/showers; & fresh water tanks) will need to be protected from freezing
temperatures. In most cases, one UltraHeat® tank heater per below floor holding
tank is typically needed to protect most RV's. Usually this is between two to
five tank heaters per RV. Q) How does the Model 3600 Tank Heater work?
A) The Model 3600 Tank Heater is actually two separate tank
heaters in one. The Model 3600 Tank Heater has a 13.5 VDC heating element and
an isolated 120 VAC heating element. Each individual heating element operates
independent of the other. Both of the heating elements must be connected to
the appropriate power source to operate each individual element. To protect
a 60-gallon (227 L) holding tank with the Model 3600 Tank Heater the 13.5 VDC power
must be connected and the 120 Volt AC power must be plugged in. Q) My holding tanks are insulated and forced-air heated
inside an enclosed underbelly beneath my floor. Do I still need to use Ultra
Heat Holding Tank Heaters?
A) Yes, UltraHeat® Holding Tank Heaters will still be necessary
to give your holding tanks protection from freezing in below freezing temperatures.
Enclosing, insulating and heating the underbelly of an RV will only provide protection
from freezing down to about +15°F to +20 °F (-9°C to -6°C) without wind chill. In laboratory
testing, UltraHeat® Tank Heaters protected holding tanks from freezing down to -11°F (-24°C)
on holding tanks exposed (open to the weather) below the floor of the RV. Once Ultra
Heat Holding Tank Heaters are installed on an RV with insulated, enclosed and forced-air
heated underbelly, you can expect protection from freezing to be significantly below -11°F (-24°C).
Results will vary depending on the type of underbelly enclosure, amount of insulation, etc. Q) Do UltraHeat® Tank Heaters have third party certifications
for U.S. 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. Q) When should the UltraHeat® Tank Heaters be turned "ON"?
When should it be turned "OFF"?
A) The 13.5 VDC power switch for the 13.5 VDC UltraHeat® Tank Heaters
should be turned "ON" or the power cord for the 120 VAC UltraHeat® Tank Heaters
should be plugged in when the outside temperature approaches freezing 32°F (0°C.)
The 13.5 VDC power switch should be turned "OFF" and the power cords unplugged when the outside
temperature stays above freezing. All UltraHeat® Tank Heaters are thermostatically controlled,
they turn "ON" automatically when the holding tank temperature is 44° F (7° C) and turns
"OFF" automatically when the liquid in the holding tank reaches 64°F (18°C.) The UltraHeat®
Tank Heater should be turned "OFF" or unplugged when dumping the holding tank. |
Q) How do you know if the UltraHeat® Tank Heater is working?
A) Turn "ON" the 13.5 VDC power switch for 13.5 VDC UltraHeat® Tank
Heaters or plug in the power cord for 120 VAC powered UltraHeat® Tank Heaters.
The outside temperature must be lower than 44° F (7° C) before the tank
heater will activate (see FAQ above) since all UltraHeat® tank heaters are thermostatically
controlled. Check the tank heater after five minutes. Touch the black foam pad in the
center of the tank heater, you should feel the warmth from the heating element.
This warmth indicates that the tank heater is working properly. Q) Should liquid be in the holding tank when the UltraHeat® Tank Heater is "ON"?
A) Yes, liquid must always be in the holding tank when the Ultra
Heat Tank Heater is "ON." Q) Will the UltraHeat® Tank Heater damage the holding tank if little or no liquid is in the tank when the UltraHeat® Tank Heater is "ON"?
A) In most all cases, NO, the UltraHeat® Tank Heater will not damage any type of holding tank.
If the outside temperature is below 44° F (7° C) and the UltraHeat Tank Heater is "ON"
with little or no liquid in the black or gray holding tank, the tank heater will possibly
create sewer gas that may give off odors. This said, some liquid must always be present
within the tanks when using the UltraHeat system. Q) 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) What should be done if the UltraHeat® Tank Heater is not working?
A) - Check the 13.5 VDC power switch and make sure it is in the "ON" position, or make sure the 120 VAC power cord is plugged in.
- Check the 13.5 VDC fuse, 13.5 VDC circuit breaker or 120 VAC circuit breaker for the RV's converter or shore power extension cord, make sure the fuse is not blown or the circuit breakers "OFF".
- Check all wire connections, crimp cap connections and all power wires. There must be good mechanical connections between all wires and all wire insulation must be undamaged and whole.
- Check the appropriate power source to confirm that either 13.5 VDC power is available from the converter/battery system or 120 VAC power is available from the shore power extension cord to the RV converter or extension cord for the 120 VAC Tank Heater.
Q) Does the UltraHeat® Tank Heater have a warranty?
A) YES. A ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. Extended warranties are available
here. |
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