Another holding tank heating thread

Dalehelman

This cold weather and a couple of other threads on this topic got me motivated to consider this issue. I am looking for a somewhat passive approach. In cold weather we always travel with the Alde on. So the living area is warm. Very warm under the rear seat cushions. So I found a spot under the passenger side a rear cushion right next to where gas line comes through the floor. I previously enclosed and insulated the under body. I cut a 4" hole in the floor which is just to the rear of the gray water tank. I will monitor the temperature in the tank area with a wireless digital thermometer. If  necessary I will use a computer fan to increase airflow.

ericnliz

Wow! Now you're makin' me jealous of your heated garage! Last I saw of my T@B was under the cover with 6" of snow on it! I see you're back to the lawn chair & coffee again with yet, another great idea. Let us know how the latest mod venture works out.

Dalehelman

To increase air flow and draw more warm air into the under belly. I placed a 120 mm computer fan over the access hole

dsatwork

@Dalehelman when you say left rear cushion are talking about the passenger side?

Dalehelman

dsatwork said:

@Dalehelman when you say left rear cushion are talking about the passenger side?

Yes

Dalehelman

A follow up on this mod.
Outside temp. 46* no wind
Alde on inside temp 65*
Inclosed underbelly with 1/2" bead foam insulation temp 64*

This seems to be working well with low cost.
foam insulation $12
computer fan $5
switch $2

ericnliz

Dalehelman, Is your outside temp a typo? It's 26* here, and you don't live that far from me. That has to be inside your garage with the door closed. Actually, that was a question I wanted to bring up for you anyway. How much of an effect would the ambient temp outside affect your readings? I'll be curious to see how it does next week when we go to single digits, and minus degree temps. Keep us posted. Side note, 'ya might have to don the long pants and a coat for the test next week!

Dalehelman

Correct it is in the garage. I to am waiting to see the numbers when the temperature drops next week. The fact that currently there is only a one degree difference looks good.

ericnliz

Ok, now if 'ya could flip that switch to turn the snow off......

ericnliz

Just a follow-up on this one....my outside thermometer says -1*, have you re-tested yet?

Dalehelman

ericnliz said:

Just a follow-up on this one....my outside thermometer says -1*, have you re-tested yet?

44* inside garage 65* in trailer 57* in underbelly 

Nomad

So it's roughly half way between. Can't wait to see what you get when the outside temp gets to freezing or below and some wind. Don't really need heat at 44 but if halfway holds it'd be roughly 40 with 20 out, 65 in.

TabberJohn

 Dalehelman said:

44* inside garage 65* in trailer 57* in underbelly 

Open the pod bay doors, DALE.

Dalehelman

New numbers 40* garage inside trailer 69* underbelly 60*
Once underbelly heats up it seems to maintain a temperature about 10* below inside temp.

Dalehelman

TabberJohn said:

 Dalehelman said:

44* inside garage 65* in trailer 57* in underbelly 

Open the pod bay doors, DALE.

      ?

ericnliz

The garage door Dale, open the garage door! 

Ratkity

Dalehelman said:

TabberJohn said:

 Dalehelman said:

44* inside garage 65* in trailer 57* in underbelly 

Open the pod bay doors, DALE.

      ?

Hal.... 2001 A Space Odyssey

ericnliz

 Good call on that one Ratkity!=) 

Dalehelman

Ratkity said:

Dalehelman said:

TabberJohn said:

 Dalehelman said:

44* inside garage 65* in trailer 57* in underbelly 

Open the pod bay doors, DALE.

      ?

Hal.... 2001 A Space Odyssey

Thank you

Ratkity

Dalehelman said:

Ratkity said:

Dalehelman said:

TabberJohn said:

 Dalehelman said:

44* inside garage 65* in trailer 57* in underbelly 

Open the pod bay doors, DALE.

      ?

Hal.... 2001 A Space Odyssey

Thank you

No Dale, you're supposed to respond "Eric, I can't do that right now. Do you want to play a game of chess?"

Sharon_is_SAM

"Daisy, Daisy give me your answer true...". You realize we are all dating ourselves!

ericnliz

Leave it to Ratkity to high-jack a perfectly good thread!

Ratkity

ericnliz said:

Leave it to Ratkity to high-jack a perfectly good thread!

Takes one to know one!!

ericnliz

Guess that means I'm guilty too, huh.  When you're as good at it as we are, it's REALLY hard to resist sometimes!

TabberJohn

Let me start over --
When it gets cold enough, say 10°, how about opening the garage doors and provide readings when garage temp lowers to 40°, 30°, 20°, and 10°?
It's the sub-freezing temps that matter.

ericnliz

Atta boy TabberJohn, keep us in line! I have the same question, sorry we got sidelined.

Ratkity

Speaking of sidelined... anyone watching Clemson.. er never-mind!!! I, too, am curious how it does mostly down to 20F. We rarely have sustained temps in the teens.

jcfaber1

Now you have me curious too.  This is just too funny

LauraRey

I'd love to hear the results as well.  

Dalehelman

Ok I opened the garage door.  Currently  the temp is 32* ten inches from the floor. Trailer interior 62* underbelly 55* a 7* difference. It seems that when outside temp changes the  difference between inside and underbelly stays between 5* and 10*. So the warmer I keep the interior the warmer the underbelly. The key to freeze protection is not to let things freeze in the first place. It's easier to keep things warm than get things warm. So far I am rating this a success. Especially since I am only into it for about $20. 

ericnliz

Dalehelman, Thanks for the test, sorry if your coffee got cold!