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Frequently Asked Questions About Typical UltraHeat™ Heater Installations |
Recreational vehicle's (RV's) are made by many manufacturers who build a variety of RV's
(Motorhomes, 5th Wheels, Travel Trailers, etc.) producing several models even within the
same product line. The fact is each RV has a unique drainage system made up of gray and
black holding tanks which use a unique layout of drain pipes and elbows to drain away waste water.
Each RV also has a one-of-a-kind fresh water supply system, which includes fresh water holding tank(s)
and a distinct arrangement of supply piping. Because of this, each brand and model of RV will require
a different set of UltraHeat™ Tank, Pipe and Elbow Heaters in order to fully protect it from freezing
temperatures. Below are the answers to questions commonly asked about the installation of UltraHeat™
Tank, Pipe and Elbow Heaters to protect RV's in freezing temperatures.
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Q) Which UltraHeat™ Tank Heater do I need to protect each individual holding tank?
A) UltraHeat™ offers three types of tank heaters: two 13.5 Volt DC (VDC) powered tank heaters
(Model 1200 & 2400); two 120 Volt AC (VAC) powered tank heaters (Model 4200 & 4800) and one
combination tank heater powered with both 13.5 Volt DC and 120 Volt AC (Model 3600.)
The UltraHeat™ Tank Heaters should be selected based on the liquid capacity of the
individual holding tank to be protected, see the table below to help with this selection.
Tank Heater
Part No. | Supply Voltage | Size Holding Tank
Designed to Protect |
| Model 1200 | 13.5 VDC | 29 to 40 Gallon (110-151L) Plastic Holding Tanks |
| Model 2400 | 13.5 VDC | 40 to 60 Gallon (151-227L) Plastic Holding Tanks |
| Model 4200 | 120 VAC | 29 to 40 Gallon (110-151L) Plastic Holding Tanks |
| Model 4800 | 120 VAC | 40 to 60 Gallon (151-227L) Plastic Holding Tanks |
Model 3600
(Dual Voltage Heater) | 13.5 VDC side
120 VAC side | 29 Gallon (110L) Plastic Holding Tanks |
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Q) How many UltraHeat™ Pipe and Elbow Heaters will be
needed to protect my recreational vehicle's (RV) drainage system?
A) UltraHeat™ Elbow Heaters are designed to protect the elbows
connected to the drain pipes coming off the holding tank drains. Two types of UltraHeat™
Pipe heaters are available to help protect your RV from freezing weather. The first type
of UltraHeat™ Pipe Heater protects the drain pipe coming off the holding tank drains
mounted below the floor of your RV. The second type of UltraHeat™ Pipe Heater protects
the fresh water supply pipes below the floor of your RV.
First, all elbows (90°, 45°, etc.) connected to the drain pipes coming off
the holding tank drains will require an UltraHeat™ Elbow Heater (see the table below.)
Second determine the length of all straight runs of drain pipe that will have standing
waste water in them when the knives valves are closed. Select the appropriately sized
UltraHeat™ Pipe Heater or combination of UltraHeat™ Pipe Heaters that will cover the
majority of the exposed drain pipe and leave no more than 2" to 3" (5-7.6 cm) spaces between pipe
heaters or on the ends of the drain pipe section to be protected (see the table below.)
Example: From the end of a 90º elbow coming out of the gray holding tank drain up to the
knife valve is a run of 1½" (3.8 cm) Dia. straight drain pipe 30" (76 cm) long. To fully protect this
drain pipe run from the holding tank to the knife valve the following UltraHeat™ Pipe and
Elbow Heaters are needed: one (1) EH-158 Elbow Heater and two (2) PH-1512 Pipe Heaters.
The EH-158 Elbow Heater should be installed on the 90º elbow coming off the holding tank drain.
The two PH-1512 Pipe Heaters should have a 2" (5 cm) space between them in the middle of the 30" (76 cm)
straight pipe run and 2"(5 cm) spaces on the other end of each pipe heater.
Elbow Heater
Part No. | Supply Voltage | Designed to Protect |
| Model EH-158 | 13.5 VDC | 1½" (3.8 cm) Diameter Plastic Elbows |
| Model EH-313 | 13.5 VDC | 3" (7.6 cm) Diameter Plastic Elbows |
Pipe Heater
Part No. | Supply Voltage | Designed to Protect |
| Model PH-1512 | 13.5 VDC | 1½" (3.8 cm) Dia. Plastic Drain Pipe 12+" (+30.5 cm) Long |
| Model PH-1518 | 13.5 VDC | 1½" (3.8 cm) Dia. Plastic Drain Pipe 18+" (+45.7 cm) Long |
| Model PH-312 | 13.5 VDC | 3" (7.6 cm) Dia. Plastic Drain Pipe 12+" (+30.5 cm) Long |
| Model PH-318 | 13.5 VDC | 3" (7.6 cm) Dia. Plastic Drain Pipe 18+" (+45.7 cm) Long |
| Model PH-513 | 13.5 VDC | ½" (1.3 cm) Dia. Hard Plastic Fresh Water Pipe 12+" (+30.5 cm) Long |
Caution: UltraHeat™ Pipe and Elbow Heaters can only be used on rigid/hard plastic pipes and
elbows. Q) How do I protect a section of drain pipe that is less than 12" (30.5 cm) long?
A) For sections of drain pipe less than 12" (30.5 cm) long it is recommended that UltraHeat™
Elbow Heaters be used for protection from freezing. Usually it will require one or two elbow heaters
to protect drain pipe at lengths between 3" (7.6 cm) to just less than 12" (30.5 cm) long. Select the appropriately
sized UltraHeat™ Elbow Heater(s) that will cover the majority of the exposed drain pipe and
leave no more than 2" (5 cm) spaces between elbow heaters or on the ends of the drain pipe section
to be protected (see the table above.) Both the EH-158 and EH-313 Elbow Heaters are 3" (7.6 cm) wide.
Example: A straight section of 3" (7.6 cm) Dia. drain pipe runs from a 90° elbow 11" (28 cm) long into the knife valve.
To protect this section of drain pipe two EH-313 Elbow Heaters are required. The first EH-313 Elbow Heater
should be placed 1½" (3.8 cm) from the knife valve. The second EH-313 should be placed 2" (5 cm) away from the first EH-313
Elbow Heater leaving a 1½" (3.8 cm) space on the other end of the second elbow heater next to the 90° elbow.
Q) How do I use the PH-513 pipe heater to protect my fresh water supply pipes from freezing up?
A) The fresh water supply pipes that need protection from freezing are
those that are exposed below the floor of an RV or along an outside wall where the heat
loss is greatest. Typically the section of ½" (1.3 cm) dia. fresh water supply pipe that is most
susceptible to freezing usually is the section running from the fresh water holding tank below
the floor for some distance then goes up through the floor to the water pump. To protect a
section of ½" (1.3 cm) fresh water supply pipe use one (1) PH-513 Pipe Heater per 24" (60.9 cm) of pipe below
the floor of your RV. We also recommend that pipe insulation for ½" (1.3 cm) O.D. pipe be used to keep
the heat from the pipe heaters inside the section below the floor.
Example: From the fresh water holding tank the ½" (1.3 cm) supply pipe runs just over
36" (91.4 cm) below the floor before it goes up through the floor to the water pump. To protect this run
of fresh water supply pipe you will need a total of two (2) UltraHeat™ PH-513 Pipe Heaters.
The first PH-513 Pipe Heater should be placed on the ½" (1.3 cm) supply pipe as close as possible
to the fresh water holding tank. The second PH-513 should be placed on the ½" (1.3 cm) supply pipe
leaving a 12" (30.5 cm) space between the pipe heaters. Now cover the entire 36" (91.4 cm) run of supply pipe with
½" (1.3 cm) pipe insulation.
Caution: UltraHeat™'s PH-513 Pipe Heaters can only be used on ½" (1.3 cm) O.D.
minimum hard plastic fresh water supply pipes. |
Q) How do I protect a section of fresh water supply pipe that is less than 12" (30.5 cm) long?
A) The EH-158 Elbow Heater can be used to protect a section of ½" (1.3 cm)
dia. fresh water supply pipe that is less than 12" (30.5 cm) long. The EH-158 Elbow Heater will
fit around the ½" (1.3 cm) dia. fresh water supply pipe lengthwise.
Example: A section of ½" (1.3 cm) fresh water supply pipe starting at the fresh water holding
tank outlet runs 10" (25.4 cm) up to the floor then directly to the water pump. To protect this section
of ½" (1.3 cm) supply pipe below the floor an EH-158 Elbow Heater should be put on the supply pipe
as close as possible to the fresh water holding tank. Then the entire 10" (25.4 cm) supply pipe run should
be covered in ½" (1.3 cm) pipe insulation.
Q) How important is it to clean the surface where the UltraHeat™
heaters are going to be installed?
A) All UltraHeat™ Heaters are self-adhesive and attach directly to the
surface of the holding tank, drain pipes & elbows and fresh water supply pipes. In order
for the UltraHeat™ Heaters to achieve a good permanent bond with the mounting surface
it must be properly cleaned. Accumulated dirt, grime and other foreign materials on
the mounting surface will inhibit the adhesive on the UltraHeat™ Heaters causing the
heaters not to stick to the mounting surfaces or for the adhesive to fail sometime
after installation. It is very important to follow UltraHeat™'s installation instructions
detailing the proper pre-cleaning of the surface where the heater is to be installed. Q) What is the correct method for pre-cleaning the surface where the
UltraHeat™ Heaters are to be installed?
A) First clean off the dust, dirt and other foreign matter on the surface
of the holding tanks, drain pipes & elbows, or fresh water supply pipes using soap and water.
Rinse with clean water. Let the surface dry completely. Next wipe down the surface with Isopropyl
Alcohol (70% minimum.) Allow the alcohol to flash off the surface so it is totally dry.
Now the surface is ready for the UltraHeat™ Heater to be installed on it. CAUTION: DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF SOLVENT TO CLEAN THE MOUNTING SURFACE!
Q) How many UltraHeat™ Heaters can be installed on a single branch
circuit of my RV's 13.5 VDC power converter?
A) The total number of UltraHeat™ Heaters that should be installed on a
single branch circuit depends on the total current draw of all the heaters to be placed
on this circuit. It is recommended that the total current draw of an individual branch circuit
powering UltraHeat™ Heaters should not exceed 15 Amperes (Amps.) Please refer to UltraHeat™'s
specification sheets to get the current draw for individual heaters.
Example: Should a Model 1200 tank heater and a Model PH-1512 pipe heater be wired
together on a single branch circuit? The Model 1200 tank heater has a current draw of 9.9 Amps.
The Model PH-1512 pipe heater has a current draw of 4.1 Amps. The total current draw for these heaters
is 14.0 Amps. Yes, the Model 1200 tank heater and Model PH-1512 pipe heater can be wired together
on the same branch circuit. All UltraHeat™ Heaters installed on the same branch circuit must
be wired in parallel.
Q) What size circuit wire and what type of connectors should be used with UltraHeat™ Heaters?
A) Because we recommend an individual branch circuit should not exceed 15 Amps,
the minimum wire size (wire gage) must be No. 14 AWG (American Wire Gage) in order to comply
with the National Electrical Code. Larger wire gages (12AWG, 10AWG, etc…) are also acceptable
for branch circuit wiring. The bell cap crimp connectors that are packaged with all our heaters
should be used for connecting the heater leads to the circuit wires. If larger connectors are
necessary we strongly recommend only crimp-type connectors for use with UltraHeat™ Heaters.
Q) I do not have enough open circuits on the fuse panel of my primary 13.5 VDC power converter. What should I do?
A) If you do not have enough open circuits in your 13.5 VDC fuse panel for the number of
UltraHeat™ Heaters you want to install, chances are you will exceed the capacity of your
primary converter by adding the load of the heaters. In order to supply the additional load for
the UltraHeat™ Heaters there are two ways to get more 13.5 VDC power to meet the extra demand.
- You can replace your primary 13.5 VDC power converter with a larger converter that can provide
enough current to supply the original 13.5 VDC load of your RV plus the load of the UltraHeat™
Heaters to be added. Or
- Add a dedicated 13.5 VDC converter large enough to power the load of the additional Ultra
Heat Heaters. It can be installed in parallel with your RV's primary 13.5 VDC power converter.
A dedicated converter will not affect the capacity of your RV's primary 13.5 VDC power converter.
Q) Do I need to insulate over the UltraHeat™ Heaters?
A) No, it is not necessary to insulate over the UltraHeat™ Heaters once
they are installed. UltraHeat™ Heaters are capable of protecting exposed holding tanks,
drain pipes & elbows, and fresh waters pipes from freezing down to -11°F (-24°C)
without any type of insulation or enclosure when the correct heaters are properly installed.
If you would like to get protection from freezing for your holding tanks, drain pipes & elbows
and fresh water pipes to temperatures lower than -11°F (-24°C) it is acceptable to
insulate over and/or enclose the UltraHeat™ Heaters. UltraHeat™ Heaters are compatible with
almost all types of standard insulation including pipe insulation.
Q) Since the 13.5 VDC UltraHeat™ Tank Heaters are controlled by a thermostat do I still need
to install a switch for this circuit?
A) Yes, UltraHeat™ strongly recommends that all 13.5 VDC power circuits be
appropriately fused and have a switch installed for convenience and safety.
Q) How can I tell if the UltraHeat™ Heaters are working if the
outside temperature is above 44° F (7° C)?
A) UltraHeat™ Pipe and Elbow Heaters are not thermostatically controlled
and can be functionally tested by doing the following:
- Turn "ON" the 13.5 VDC power switch for the pipe and/or elbow heater(s).
- Allow five minutes for the pipe and/or elbow heater(s) to energize.
- Place your hand in the center of the black foam pad of the pipe and/or elbow heater(s).
The heat you feel coming through the pad indicates that the pipe and/or elbow heater(s) are working properly.
UltraHeat™ Tank Heaters are thermostatically controlled, if the outside temperature is above 44° F (7° C),
test the tank heater by doing the following:
- Turn "ON" the 13.5 VDC power switch for the tank heater(s) or plug in the 120 VAC power cord into a
shore power extension cord.
- Place an ice pack or bag of ice on the tank heaters thermostat. This is the bump
in the black foam pad where the white wire goes into the pad in the 13.5 VDC tank heaters or
where the ground wire goes into the black foam pad of the 120 VAC tank heaters.
- Hold the cold item on the tank heaters thermostat for at least ten minutes, possibly longer
if the outside temperature is significantly above 44° F (7° C). You must get the thermostat below 44° F (7° C)
in order for the thermostat to activate.
- Once you have activated the thermostat you will need to continue to hold the cold item in
place a few minutes longer for the tank heater to energize.
- Place your hand in the center of the black foam pad of the tank heater. The heat you feel coming
through the pad indicates that the tank heater is working properly.
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