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Old 11-01-2010, 11:57 PM   #1
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insulating water tank/pipes for the winter

did a half ass search

want to know if anyone has done a insultion mod on under gaucho water tank
and or pipes??

am thinking:
remove door to gaucho (asile model, and heater blows into under gaucho space
put tank on a piece of insulation ( saw that posted somewhere)

i have a water heater
but if i run it, then thru sink, hot water freeze faster

comments?
mods?

planning for Xmas South west utah

thanx in advance

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Old 11-02-2010, 09:56 AM   #2
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Re: insulateing water tank/pipes for the winter

I did a half-arsed reflectix wrap around pipes with some left over pieces and it doesn't seem to have done any good. I just winterized the van, and drained everything and pulled the reflectix out of the way. Also, we went to Palo Duro a few Christmases ago and had no problem with the water, although it averaged 65-70º on a daily basis that year.
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Old 11-02-2010, 10:06 AM   #3
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Re: insulateing water tank/pipes for the winter

The temps will be very low at nite Xmas Southern Utah

Question:
if the lines freeze, will they burst??

Maybe take pressure out and open tap??
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Old 11-02-2010, 10:34 AM   #4
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Re: insulating water tank/pipes for the winter

I froze mine once. No damage, but no water in the morning. We expected that, so we filled the teakettle at night so we still had coffee in the morning.

Our lines were ok, even the pump survived, but it was 3-4 hours before everything thawed out.

Does your water heater have a pilot light? That will add some heat to that area. With air circulating under the gaucho and your furnace (you do have a furnace dont you?) on low you should be ok. Do you have a small, computer fan that can move air between furnace cycles? ~$5 at a computer supply store and get one with the lowest current draw. Insulation under the water lines will help. Anything, even a piece of corrugated paper will get the lines off the floor, away from the wall and help.

Let us know how that works out for you.

Mike
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Old 11-02-2010, 10:46 AM   #5
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Re: insulateing water tank/pipes for the winter

Plan so far:

Leave water heater on

Open closet doors as lines run behind them

Some sort of insulation under tank

Wrap lines to avoid touching under gaucho

Computer fan to circulate under gaucho


Any other tips Boys and Girls??
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Old 11-02-2010, 10:55 AM   #6
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Re: insulateing water tank/pipes for the winter

I've had the lines freeze too, and you get no water. The thing that got me twice was the gray plastic valve that controls city water inlet to the holding tank. Twice it froze enough to damage the seal and not close 100%, which allowed me to limp by but I couldn't leave the pump on anymore. After the second replacement I went with a metal valve, but as far as freeze damage, that's been the only thing that's got me.
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Old 11-02-2010, 11:02 AM   #7
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Re: insulateing water tank/pipes for the winter

Quote:
Originally Posted by jage
I've had the lines freeze too, and you get no water. The thing that got me twice was the gray plastic valve that controls city water inlet to the holding tank. Twice it froze enough to damage the seal and not close 100%, which allowed me to limp by but I couldn't leave the pump on anymore. After the second replacement I went with a metal valve, but as far as freeze damage, that's been the only thing that's got me.

good tip
will add to my list

taking rig to Ricks Trailer Supply here in Orange county
they service high end rigs
great service
expert stuff
quick turn around
a bit pricy, but cheaper in the long run IMHO

Not to hijack my own thread but gonna have them:
drop gas tank
replace transflow hoses
verify proper wiring for all house electical and solar
install the metal valve
see if he has solution for heating water tank

will post any tips and or what he came up with
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Old 11-02-2010, 11:07 AM   #8
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Re: insulateing water tank/pipes for the winter

Quote:
Originally Posted by billwilson
see if he has solution for heating water tank
As long as you're not leaving the van for days with the tank full in freezing weather, I don't think that's an issue. That said, CampingWorld has a 12v electric fleece blanket that you could adapt to under/around the tank... my wife would never give hers up, and like I said it's probably going to be your pipes, not the tank but, well I can't resist helping to jack a thread!

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Old 11-05-2010, 06:18 PM   #9
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Re: insulateing water tank/pipes for the winter

We remove the filter housing near the front of the tank'';place a cloth to catch the water, then open all faucets including the hot water tank and open all lower drain ports. This worked in 20 beloew temps. We used no anti freeze.
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Old 11-05-2010, 06:58 PM   #10
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Re: insulateing water tank/pipes for the winter

Has anyone winterized using the RV antifreeze sold by Camping World? I was thinking of draining the tanks and running a gallon or two into the system/lines/pump. The stuff is supposed to not be harmful to consume but I don't want to test that claim. Probably takes some effort to de-winterize as well. I saw a thread on using vodka instead of the antifreeze but vodka is a precious and expensive commodity here in Utah!

Link here: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... llon/30243
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