UltraHeat RV Heat Pads - Easy to Operate
The Basics of Each Type
Holding Tank Heater Operation
UltraHeat® Holding Tank Heaters are designed to protect your RV's fresh water, gray water, and black water holding tanks from freezing during cold weather operation.
For proper operation, follow these guidelines:
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Turn ON the Holding Tank Heater when the outside temperature is approaching or below 32°F (0°C) and liquid is present within the holding tank.
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Ensure that liquid is present in the holding tank, connected pipes, and elbows whenever the heating system is operating.
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Once powered, the built-in temperature sensor automatically controls the heater:
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The heater turns ON when the liquid temperature inside the tank falls to approximately 44°F (7°C).
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The heater turns OFF when the liquid temperature reaches approximately 64°F (18°C).
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This cycle repeats automatically as needed to help prevent the tank contents from freezing.
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Turn OFF the Holding Tank Heater when the outside temperature rises and remains above freezing, or whenever the holding tank is empty.
Important Information
UltraHeat® Holding Tank Heaters incorporate an integrated automatic temperature sensor that cycles the heater on and off based on the temperature of the liquid inside the holding tank.
Do not operate the heater unless liquid is present in the holding tank, pipes, and elbows. Failure to follow these operating instructions may result in damage to the heating system or RV plumbing and may void the product warranty.
This product is specifically designed and tested to provide freeze protection for RV fresh water, gray water, and black water holding tanks manufactured from standard-grade plastics.
Disclaimer
UHI Worldwide, Inc. assumes no liability for the use of this product for any purpose other than those for which it was originally designed, tested, and intended.
Gate Valve Heater Operation
UltraHeat® Gate Valve Heaters, sometimes referred to as Arctic Valve Heaters, are intended for occasional use only. Think of them like the spare tire in your vehicle—rarely needed, but invaluable when conditions require them.
If your RV is connected to the sewer hose ("stinky slinky") and you're ready to empty your holding tanks, but the gate valve is frozen closed due to freezing temperatures, follow these steps:
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Turn ON the Gate Valve Heater.
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Allow the heater to operate for approximately 5–7 minutes, or until the gate valve moves freely.
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Turn OFF the Gate Valve Heater.
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Empty the holding tanks and close the gate valves as you normally would.
Important Information
UltraHeat® Gate Valve Heat Panels are designed for short-term, manual operation only and should be used only when required during freezing weather conditions.
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The Gate Valve Heater must be switched and wired independently from all other UltraHeat® heat panels and heating systems.
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This product is specifically designed and tested to provide heat for RV drain pipe gate dump valves manufactured from standard-grade plastics.
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It is intended primarily for use with Valterra® gate valves (the most commonly used in the RV industry) or similar gate valves that have smooth, flat exterior surfaces on the three sides of the valve body.
Disclaimer
UHI Worldwide, Inc. assumes no liability for the use of this product for any purpose other than those for which it was originally designed, tested, and intended.
Pipe and Pipe Elbow Heater Operation
UltraHeat® Pipe and Pipe Elbow Heaters, sometimes referred to as Pipe Warmers, are designed to help prevent fluids within RV plumbing from freezing during cold weather operation.
For proper operation, follow these guidelines:
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Turn ON the Pipe Heater only when the outside temperature is approaching or below 32°F (0°C) and liquid is present within the pipe.
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Leave the heater operating while freezing conditions persist and the pipe contains fluid.
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Turn OFF the Pipe Heater when the outside temperature rises and remains above freezing, or whenever the pipe is empty.
Important Information
UltraHeat® Pipe and Pipe Elbow Heaters are not thermostatically or sensor controlled. The operator is responsible for switching the heaters on and off as conditions require.
This product is specifically designed and tested to provide freeze protection for RV fresh water supply lines, gray water drain pipes, and black water waste pipes manufactured from standard-grade rigid plastics.
Disclaimer
UHI Worldwide, Inc. assumes no liability for the use of this product for any purpose other than those for which it was originally designed, tested, and intended.
Master Ambient Control System (Recommended)
For added convenience and simplified operation, UltraHeat® recommends installing the Master Ambient Control System if your RV is not already equipped with one.
The Master Ambient Control System automatically switches the primary power to the UltraHeat® heating system ON and OFF based on the ambient outside temperature. This eliminates the need to manually monitor weather conditions and operate the system during changing temperatures.
Important Information
The Master Ambient Control System does not replace the individual tank controls. It manages the primary power supplied to the UltraHeat® system, while separate switches are still recommended to independently control the Fresh Water, Gray Water, and Black Water heating systems. This allows each system to be operated as needed based on tank usage and operating conditions.
Using the Master Ambient Control System helps reduce the possibility of leaving the heating system on unnecessarily while providing automatic freeze protection during cold weather.
UltraHeat System Operating Guidelines
To ensure proper operation and prevent damage, only power ON an UltraHeat system—or any individual section of the system—after both of the following conditions have been met:
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Ambient outdoor temperatures are approaching or below freezing (32°F / 0°C) and are expected to remain at or below freezing.
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The tank or plumbing section being heated contains fluid. Drain pipes must be full, and each holding tank must contain enough fluid to completely cover the area where the UltraHeat panel is mounted.
When to Turn the System Off
Turn the UltraHeat system OFF when:
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Outdoor temperatures rise above freezing and are expected to remain above freezing, or
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Any individual tank (Fresh, Gray, or Black) has been emptied. Once a tank has been evacuated of fluid, that section must be switched OFF until fluid is present again.
Independent Tank Control
We strongly recommend controlling the Fresh, Gray, and Black systems independently whenever possible.
In most cases:
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RV owners begin travel with water in the Fresh Water tank.
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The Gray and Black holding tanks are typically emptied before departure, following the RV manufacturer's recommendations.
Under freezing conditions, only the Fresh Water system usually needs to be powered ON at the start of the trip. As the Gray and Black tanks begin to collect wastewater, those systems can be switched ON once sufficient fluid is present to cover the heating panel. After the tanks are emptied, they should be switched OFF again until fluid is present.
Single-Switch Installations
Some RV manufacturers have chosen to wire all UltraHeat systems (Fresh, Gray, and Black) to a single switch using a power relay.
If your RV is configured this way, all tanks must contain a minimum amount of fluid before the system is turned ON. Each tank should have enough liquid to cover the bottom of the tank with at least ¼ inch (6.35 mm) of fluid.
Before dumping the Gray or Black holding tanks, switch the UltraHeat system OFF. After the tanks have been emptied, add approximately 1 to 2 gallons (4 to 8 liters) of water or other suitable fluid to each emptied tank before turning the system back ON, provided freezing temperatures still exist.
Important
Failure to follow these operating procedures may result in permanent damage to the holding tanks, plumbing components, and/or UltraHeat heating panels.