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TRYING TO STAY WARM Heat Pump Interaction w Webasco

Yahoo Message Number: 65142
It's getting cold here in West Virginia. Our Webasco developed a leak this spring (was leaking antifreeze), and the truck stop we took it to was able to bypass that leak. This negates our ability to use the Webasco for staying warm in sub 34 degree weather.
Now that it is getting cold at night our Dometic heat pumps automatically shut off at 24 degrees (per our Duoderm Comfort Control Center) instructions. At this time the FURNACE is supposed to be activated and we see the AUX HEAT indicator on the LCD lights in addition to HEAT PUMP being illuminated. Once temp gets above 34 degrees the heat pump is supposed to be activated.
Last night our heat pump shut off when it was only about 33 degrees outside. With a nonworking Webasco system it got quite COLD and quite quickly. When the sun came up and temperatures got above 40 degrees the heat pump worked once again.

Three questions:

Any way to adjust the thermostat on the Dometic heat pumps that is supposed to be off at 24, on at 34? Ours seems to be operating at different temps than designed: off at 33 and on at 40 degrees.
Anyone know of anyone close to Charleston WV that can service a Webasco system?
Will a 100 watt light in the sewer bay at night help keep any of the gray/black/fresh water tanks from freezing when temps go below 32 degrees? We are living in the RV, and antifreeze in tanks or draining lines is not an option.

Thanks for any help or advice you can offer.

Paul Stobie

2000 Magna #5734

Re: TRYING TO STAY WARM Heat Pump Interaction w Webasco

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65144
Typically, and from experience , the Klixon type device would shut off at 35 F and have an 8 to 10 F return to on, setting. These are preset cheap ( non-adjustable ) thermostat most all manufactures use . These units do not perform in heat pump mode very well at lower temperatures. If you can find the Klixon location , I would bypass it. look at the wiring diagram under the cover and you can probably find it. While you won't get much heat as the temperature drops , they will always have a 1 to 1 ratio . If the unit draws 13 amps at 120 volts gives 1560 watts of heat. At 30F it would likely be around 2000 watts output per heat pump. Better than nothing. You could supplement that with a couple of small electric heaters. Running the heat pump under those temps won't hurt it , but not very efficient.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: TRYING TO STAY WARM Heat Pump Interaction w Webasco

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65153
Paul,

I got caught in Branson last December when it got down to about 10 Degrees. My Hurricane heater would fire because the igniter went out.
I know some on here would probably not like what I did but I'd do it agian. I put a ceramic heater in the insulated plumbing bay. I made sure that is was setting good and flat with nothing in front of it for about 2 feet. It was great! It was like having heated tile floors. They didn't get hot but they weren't cold either. Since heat rises It really helped keep the coach warm While protecting the plumbing.
My heat pumps never quit cycling though. When it got in the mid 20's it would change the reversing valve I guess to melt the Ice on the condensor then change back. The colder it got the longer it would run on the reversing valve and would not run for more than about 10 to 15 min. in the heat mode. I do not have Aux. heat strips. I would venture to say the coach didn't get below the mid 70's or so in the coach during the night. I remember using the engine block heater then starting the coach once during the night and let the engine warm up good. I used the internal heat exchangers when the engine got warm. If you just bypassed the heater I would think You should be able to use the engine heat to help to heat the coach Kevin Burns

00 Affinity #5865