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Topic: Economical (cheap) freeze protection. (Read 555 times) previous topic - next topic

Economical (cheap) freeze protection.

This looks like a neat device.  I am going to try a couple when I leave the coach in southern Alabama.  Just hook it up to a couple of drop lights in the wet bays.  Just make sure that it is plugged in outside the coach so it senses ambient temptature.

Go to homedepot.com and search on "thermo cube"

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Economical (cheap) freeze protection.

Reply #2 –
Kieth, it doesnłt appear that these are weather proof so "outside the coach" might be a problem..  A couple of drop lights won't be much help to the the warer in your AquaHot.  And when there is a power outage?  Alabama has an averge  of 35 days each winter when the temps get below freezing.  Somewhere way south might be warmer.  An ounce of prevention sort of thing.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Economical (cheap) freeze protection.

Reply #3 –
I use something similar but I just plug them into the bay AC outlet and then plug a 200-watt heater into it. Spread around a bit. I also use an oil-filled heater in the coach itself; no fan to eat up power and the convection keeps the interior about 40-50F even on cold days. All the windows covered up and curtains closed, of course.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Economical (cheap) freeze protection.

Reply #4 –
I think these thermocubes are good.  I would recommend not using a drop light.  The reasoning is that incandescent bulbs do burn out sometimes.  A better option would be to us either an oil heater as noted or use one of those small cube type electric heaters.  I personally have used a "personal space" small heater that uses about 200w.  It has done a nice job for me in colorado one winter.  The beauty of the thermocube is that it kicks on when freeze temperature is approached and then kicks off when temp rises to I think 45.  This decreases the electricity needed to keep it from freezing.  Best of Travels. 
Best of Travels
 

Re: Economical (cheap) freeze protection.

Reply #5 –
I use these thermo cubes in the pump houses on my ranch to run 1500 watt heaters and they work great.  The heaters only come on when needed.  I used to use heat lamps but had to leave them on all winter and they would occasionally burn out.
Gordon Cole
2002 U320 36'