I need HELP!!!: 2 days of freezing temp?

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2 days of freezing temp?

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Topic: 2 days of freezing temp?

Posted By: Kenlw
Subject: 2 days of freezing temp?
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2019 at 10:08am

The next 2-21/2 days here in Co will be in 20’s. Other than keeping my furnace on constantly, should I turn all faucets?
I have the thermostat set at 70. Thanks for all replies.
Ken

Replies:

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2019 at 1:33pm

We hit the mid-20's here in NV for several hours, but the desert diurnal temperature range runs us up to the 60's in the day. Since I'm leaving here for warmer temp's next week I am avoiding winterizing and have a small West Marine electric space heater running. It keeps things nice and warm in our Pod and there is enough residual heat to keep the plumbing from freezing. I aim the output of the heater at the vent under the door to the head and open up all spaces where there are water and drain lines to allow plenty of air circulation. So far this has worked fine and I've had nothing freeze.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2019 at 1:46pm

The only really vulnerable part (provided you have heat in the 'Pod) is the line that goes between the fresh water tank and the pump. If you are worried, put some insulation over that pipe. The tank itself has enough heat to withstand two cold nights as long as the daytime temperatures are above freezing.

Unless you are connected to city water and have a gray water drain hose on and open, I don't recommend running the faucets. I agree with Fred that just keeping the cabinet doors open where the plumbing is will be sufficient for the inside pipes. You could save some gas if you are not inside camping and set the temps lower, but no lower than 55, which is well above freezing. If you have a small ceramic block heater, you could run that if you have shore power and save the propane for camping.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2019 at 2:52pm

Originally posted by StephenH

The only really vulnerable part (provided you have heat in the 'Pod) is the line that goes between the fresh water tank and the pump.

The low point drains and the outside shower valves/nozzle are also vulnerable in substantially cold temps.

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r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

Posted By: Kenlw
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2019 at 5:10pm

Thank you all for responses!

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2019 at 5:33pm

For insulation to help maintain temps there has to be warmth in there to keep in, so just insulating the pump supply line alone really isn't going to do much. If you will be plugged in wrap some heat tape around the pipe and then insulate it. If not then running some water through it a few times overnight will help. Here on the OBX most of us have elevated houses with exposed water supply lines so when we get sub freezing temps (which is rare) we allow a faucet to drip which keeps water at ground water temp slowly running through the insulated supply line. If folks don't do that they frequently get burst pipes even with air temps in the 20's.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Kenlw
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2019 at 5:59pm

Thanks for your input offgrid!

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2019 at 6:42pm

If the supply line is boxed in with no insulation between it and the tank, the heat of the tank should be sufficient to carry the line through cold nights. That is what I had in mind, not just wrapping it with insulation which, I agree, would likely not be sufficient without heat tape.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: Kenlw
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2019 at 6:54pm

Ok Stephen, thanks for update!

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2019 at 7:40pm

Originally posted by StephenH

If the supply line is boxed in with no insulation between it and the tank, the heat of the tank should be sufficient to carry the line through cold nights. That is what I had in mind, not just wrapping it with insulation which, I agree, would likely not be sufficient without heat tape.

Yes, that can work if any enclosed space is made as airtight as possible. The other approach which will work at colder temperatures is to recirculate a small amount of hot water through the plumbing system via a thermostatically controlled solenoid valve feeding back to the fresh water tank. Then insulating the tank and supply line will help hold the heat in.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold