Is it ok to run 120v Aquahot when on 15A/extension cord shore power or is there a better method for keeping the bay warm in cold weather when in storage?
Thank you,
Kyle
My 1998 coaches AH ahe-100-02s manual shows that the electric element should "normally" draw 11.2-13 amps. So your 15 amp cord should be enough to power the electric elements. Of course another spanner in the works depends on the cords length and wire size. I would recommend a heavy duty large wired cord to minimize the resistance from the cord itself.
That will then leave little reserve to power a battery charger to keep the batteries topped up. The 12V AH blowers will draw down the house batteries.
A lot of folks simply put an incandescent bulb in the bays. A 60 watt bulb will draw .5 amps @ 120V and make 341 BTU's per hour so you can run quite a few on 15 amps. Just make sure that the bulb(s) is/are not touching something that can melt/catch fire.
I like the idea of a bulb in the bay. I have a portable thermostat that could be used with a single heat lamp.
I use this with a 25 watt bulb.
Farm Innovators TC-3 Cold Weather Thermo Cube Thermostatically Controlled Outlet - On at 35-Degrees/Off at 45-Degrees Amazon.com : Farm Innovators TC-3 Cold Weather Thermo Cube Thermostatically... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006U2HD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DzE7DbH1PR77Y)
Kyle,
You don't specify which bay you are trying too keep warm. If you are talking about where the A/H unit is located I wouldn't trust a light bulb to keep the domestic side of the A/H unit from freezing. If you only have a 15 amp plug to work with you should think about filling your domestic water side of the coach with RV antifreeze. This will also protect the water manifold, water pump, and washing machine. Doing this will leave the electric for running the inverter/converter to keep the batteries topped off.
Mike
However - you are also powering the house battery charger aka inverter from the same 15 amps, plus a host of "phantom" draws. 15 amp would be pushing it and a gamble.
In North Texas we always winterized the coach with pink antifreeze, even the years we stored "indoors", since that facility had no heat or insulation. It wasn't worth the risk of damage to the AH or Splendide (neither of which can be winterized simply by draining or blowing out the lines) during the drawn-out cold snaps and potential for power outages.
You can look at the gauge of wire going to your outlet. If it is 12 gauge wire you can run up to 20 amps to it. You will also want to check the breaker and see if it is 15 or 20 amp. If it is 12 gauge you can change it to 20 amp. There is also a 20 amp outlet you can install too. It looks like a regular outlet but has one prong that has perpendicular slot making it look like the letter T turned on its side.
20 amp - Electrical Outlets & Receptacles - Wiring Devices & Light Controls... (https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Wiring-Devices-Light-Controls-Electrical-Outlets-Receptacles/20-amp/N-5yc1vZc33aZ1z17m1v)
You will also want to note what else that breaker feeds ;) (assuming we're not talking dedicated circuit/outlet here)
Thank you everyone for the great info and suggestions. The coach is stored in the Dallas area where the outdoor temperature rarely stays below freezing. As I will be using the coach during winter months I was curious as to best practices for preventing freezing when not winterizing. Based on the comments above I think I will do what I do with my boat and place a thermostatically controlled heat lamp in the bay that only comes on between 35-40 degrees. The lamp draws very little current and shouldn't affect the performance of the Magnum charger.
Just keep in mind that if there is a freeze and especially if there is a power outage, the cost to repair a freeze-damaged AquaHot can run as much as $10K. Even using a coach in the winter, consider using the pink stuff if there is a multi-day freeze in the forecast.
We used to live in Denton and our house pipes would freeze almost every winter. Just sayin'
If you do have a multi day cold snap you could always turn on diesel fired part of the Aquahot and turn thermostat to around 40 degrees. Assuming your rig isn't stored indoors.
It is outdoors, so yes, this would actually be my preference. Any issues with using the diesel fired option without being on 30W or 50W shore power?
The aqua hot uses dc power to run. You would still need to plug in so your inverter can keep the batteries charged. Again, you are assuming that the Aqua Hot is going to run flawlessly you will be taking an expensive chance. If it fails to start and you have a freeze you you will experience a big loss.
Can you monitor the internal temperature wirelessly? No matter which way you decide to go, you may want to consider a SimpliSafe alarm system. You can add water, heat, motion and doors sensors and secure the coach while in storage. No wifi or landline needed, it has a built in cell system and can be operated for as low as $14.99 per month. Cheap insurance. It will notify you of an intruder, freeze, water leak and power failure. It has a battery backup in case of loss of power. You can remotely monitor everything from a computer or your cell and get instant notifications when something goes wrong.
John M.
Home Security Systems | Wireless Home Security | Burglar Alarms (https://simplisafe.com/home-security-shop)