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01-12-2011, 07:50 AM
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#1
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Super Swell Guy
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Amarillo
Posts: 273
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Freezing Toilet Water Lines
Howdy y'all! It has been COLD here in Amarillo this week! Yesterday we had a low of 2 degrees. Two should not be a temperature, two should be reserved for counting cups of coffee or an acceptable amount of doughnuts for a snack, but never a number used to indicate the temperature outside!
I learned a neat trick to keep the commode water line from freezing while camping at an RV Park (this has been a problem this week):- With the holding tank dump valve open...
- Wedge a 3' piece of 1/2" PVC pipe into the blade seal for the valve at the bottom of the bowl
On the Thetford model that I have, this will hold the drain open, and also allow just enough water to trickle which will prevent freezing. If you use a 3' section of PVC it won't be able to accidently slip into your black tank. Don't forget to open your black tank dump valve or you will have a big mess in the morning!
__________________
Extra Class Amateur (Ham) Radio Operator, VE, SKYWARN Storm Spotter, ARES Volunteer, TSA Security Officer, Full-time RV dweller (Amarillo TX for now), webmaster www.PanhandleARES.org, Married to ke5zru!
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01-26-2011, 09:34 PM
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#2
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Super Swell Guy
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Amarillo
Posts: 273
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I think since I discovered this I should get to name it. Terra and I have decided to call the toilet freeze prevention process:
TOILET SNORKELING
On cold nights before bed, my wife asks, "Did you snorkel the toilet?" And I reply, "Yes dear, I snorkeled the crapper." ...oh the joys of RV living!
__________________
Extra Class Amateur (Ham) Radio Operator, VE, SKYWARN Storm Spotter, ARES Volunteer, TSA Security Officer, Full-time RV dweller (Amarillo TX for now), webmaster www.PanhandleARES.org, Married to ke5zru!
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01-26-2011, 09:39 PM
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#3
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Rockin Hamette
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 30
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*sigh*
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KE5ZRT's XYL
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01-27-2011, 09:34 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Mobile, on the road
Posts: 1,139
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My rig has enclosed heated tanks, this includes the lines from the water pump (Which is inside the motor home) to the toilet (These lines run through the main "Wet" compartment)
I also added electric lights, good old fashion incandascent lamps. 100 watts on the "Dump valve" end of the compartment and a string of C-9 bulbs under the fresh water tank, total is around 250-3xx watts of light (I'm not sure how many C-9's are in the string, I know I replaced over 16 of them this fall) these lights are tied to a thermostatic outlet (As are the rope lights taped to the fresh water hose and the trouble light next to the park faucet, though that is a different thermostatic outlet)
In testing the temps in the wet bay WITH NO OTHER HEAT were about 10 degrees above outside temps.. and the furnace, when it runs, adds another 10 degrees. So I'm good down to (but not in) single digits.
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01-27-2011, 02:47 PM
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#5
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Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fayetteville, GA, USA
Posts: 3,017
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What about that "thermal-electric" tape that you wrap around exposed pipes? (It's like an electric blanket for your plumbing.) It consumes very little wattage, stays in place, no fire risk, and is reasonably cheap.
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12-05-2011, 02:35 PM
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#6
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Super Swell Guy
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Amarillo
Posts: 273
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Bump!
__________________
Extra Class Amateur (Ham) Radio Operator, VE, SKYWARN Storm Spotter, ARES Volunteer, TSA Security Officer, Full-time RV dweller (Amarillo TX for now), webmaster www.PanhandleARES.org, Married to ke5zru!
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12-05-2011, 05:06 PM
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#7
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Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Fayetteville, GA, USA
Posts: 3,017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KE5ZRT
I think since I discovered this I should get to name it. Terra and I have decided to call the toilet freeze prevention process:
TOILET SNORKELING
On cold nights before bed, my wife asks, "Did you snorkel the toilet?" And I reply, "Yes dear, I snorkeled the crapper." ...oh the joys of RV living!
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WOW! I sure hope you don't forget that PVC pipe is there! Better leave a night light on for safety! 
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12-07-2011, 08:33 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Near Houston, TX
Posts: 553
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Yep, if some one sit on the pot during the night, it could be a SURPRISE.......How will you explain that to the Doctor.
Ken
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KE5DFR
2013 HitchHiker Champagne 38RLRSB, 2012 F350 Dually crew cab, 6.7L,
Mobile- Yaesu FT857D w/ Lil' Tarheel II antenna and Larsen dual bander, Turbo Tuner.
Base unit...Kenwood TS480HX, LDG AT200 Pro tuner, Eagle One Vertical and Windom 80 meter dipole.
Standard Schnauzer..her call is K9WOOF
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12-07-2011, 08:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wewahitchka, FL
Posts: 1,204
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Oh, and the PAIN of it all !!!
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Jim ~ W4EWA
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12-11-2011, 09:19 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Posts: 104
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I wrote an article on Winter RVing a few years ago. Maybe it could help out some folks.
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2000 Monaco Knight 36Z
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Guinness the cat
Full-timing Sep. 2006 - Sep. 2011
Our RV Website, www.FulltimeRV.us
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AE5BI
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