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Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Yahoo Message Number: 98423
I am wondering how low a temp can a 2006 Allure survive without issues if it is left with the heat on (set to 50° or so)? I have a hydro hot system.

This is my situation. We are not full timers, but rather use the coach for weekenders and longer multi-week trips with the family. We always go away for Thanksgiving and last year it didn't get cold enough to worry about until after Thanksgiving.
We live in SLC and this year winter has come pretty quick! It is supposed to get down to 15° tonight and then rise to 29° tomorrow with the next few nights around 18°. Not super cold, but enough to get your attention!

I have the slides in and the heat set to 50 degrees and I am plugged into shore power. Will I have any issues at 15°? I could easily set the heat higher tonight.
I would really prefer to not winterize before our trip, since de-winterizing is a bit of work. I have always put in pink antifreeze, but it does take some work to flush it out.

I am working towards a garage where I can store it without winterizing (adding some heat to keep it at 40° or so), but that wont be until next winter.

Thoughts?
Dan

2006 430 Allure with tag
#31344

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98427
Dan, we are in a similar situation.... we don't full time but use our coach to visit family for the holidays and are planning other trips over the winter. Mine is parked outside plugged into 50 amp service, Aqua Hot electric and diesel burner on, T stats set to 48F. Got down to single digits last winter here in Virginia and never had an issue. I do have two 75 watt trouble lights plugged into one of those thermo cubes in the wet bay to protect the water pump.

Gary

07 Allure 470

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98429
Dan, We had the icemaker solenoid (water valve) freeze and split at 24 degrees, left the light on in the plumbing bay and furnace set to 45 with cabinet doors open. Everything else was good. .....Skip 2002 Intrigue #11329.

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98431
Dan

I would be draining the ice maker for sure.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98433
Could you please enlighten me on what are thermo-cubes?

Wally & Elta Mae

2007Allure 470 #31535

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98442
Walter, thermo cube is just a little two outlet gizmo with an internal T-stat that turns it on at 32F. So a light plugged into it will come on at 32F. I found mine at a local Tractor Supply in their electrical department. It actually is marked 'Thermo Cube.'.

Gary

07 Allure 470

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98448
Ummm, wouldn't you want the icemaker to freeze? :-) Sorry, that was just too easy! :-)I haven't ever hooked up the icemaker on our Samsung, so that isn't an issue. I don't have a DI unit and somehow ice cubes from water from the tank don't sound very good.I got my coach into a warehouse for the next few days, so OK for the short term. In my water bay there is a thermostat thing (shown in the pics) but it is unplugged!What does it actually do? is there heat tape on the tank?Also the knob show F° but goes 10,20,30,40,50. Is that the setpoint? Since it is unplugged I am wondering if it malfunctioned or isn't working. Is there any easy way to test it? I guess I could put a meter on it and see if it is drawing current. Here are the picture links:Photo Nov 16, 11 45 25 AM.jpgPhoto Nov 16, 11 45 02 AM.jpg Photo Nov 16, 11 45 02 AM.jpg Shared with Dropbox View on www.dropbox.com Preview by Yahoo Photo Nov 16, 11 45 25 AM.jpg Shared with Dropbox View on www.dropbox.com Preview by Yahoo Thanks for any info!Dan2006 Allure 430 with tag#31344

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98450
Dan, that thermostat controls a pump on the Aqua Hot that circulated heated boiler coolant to a heat exchanger mounted in the to of that wet bay. If I turn mine up to higher settings, I can hear it click and I can hear a pump in the Aqua Hot start. I do this to make sure it is still working. I set mine between 30 and 40F.

I would get a replacement T stat and hook it up. If it is not something unique to RV's, you might try removing it and going to a HVAC parts/supply place to see if you can get a replacement. If not available there, Kevin Waite is a great source for parts for our CC's: 541-953-6162.

Gary

07 Allure 470

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98452
Thank you, in Phoenix right now, we are very close to the where it freezes.

Wally & Elta Mae

2007Allure 470 #31535

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98455
Dan, On my Intrigue that little thermostat is connected to the Hurricane heating system and is set to come on at about 35 degrees F. I know for a fact that it works because last Friday morning (early) the Hurricane came on and none of the inside heat exchangers were running at the time. I don't know why someone would disconnect a system that protects the water bay from freezing, unless the thermostat was shorted and kept the Hurricane or Hydro Hot running all the time.

Earl Densten

03 Intrigue 11554

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98458
Thanks, I Goggled it (duh!) and found that Home Depot carries it. Going to need a extension cord and some kind of heat lamp/light as well.

Wally & Elta Mae

2007Allure 470 #31535
 

Re: Winter - How cold without winterizing?

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98459
Wally, I just use a simple trouble light with a 60 -75 watt bulb.... got them at Lowe's and HD has them. With the Aqua Hot exchanger in the wet bay, I am not absolutely sure the light is needed. I just felt that since the water pump is mounted to the thin plastic floor, it might freeze in really cold temps.

Gary

07 Allure 470