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  1. #1
    Rolling Along JColeman's Avatar
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    Hard freeze in Tucson - how much winterization required?

    We don't get more than a couple of hard freezes a year in Tucson but we will get one tomorrow or the next day. I have emptied fresh, grey and black tanks, relieved any water pressure in the system and will leave the kitchen faucet cracked (with no water hooked up) for room for expansion. We will be in the high 20's and low 30's for 3-4 hours during the night.

    Do I a) need to drain the low points and hot water tank or b) need to run the furnace at ~50* overnight or c) both?
    Jeff and Jen
    2016 F250 CC Lariat 4x4 6.7L, Firestone Airbags, Pullrite Superglide
    2017 Solitude 310GK, a little solar, a little lithium, disc brakes and a few suspension mods

    Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor
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    It SHOULD be ok to not do anything with the temp only going below freezing for a couple of hours but running the furnace should keep everything warm enough to be sure there is no frost damage
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    Fireside Member Darlin's Avatar
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    I would worry about unless the temperature going hold at 25 for 3 to 4 hours IMHO
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    When I lived in North Texas, I would leave the water in it and turn on the water heater and gas furnace when it would freeze. Didn't ever have any problems.

    Red
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  5. #5
    Seasoned Camper 2825Matheny's Avatar
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    Cold for just a few hours is not the end of the world.
    I would not winterize.
    I would resist the temptation to use either the electric fireplace or electric space heaters.
    I would use the propane furnace. Just choose a TStat setpoint above freezing.
    The reason is that the furnace has ducts that go into the belly and the convenience center to protect water pipes and tanks from freezing.
    If you have tank heater pads, use them too.

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    Peggy and Jamey Matheny
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  6. #6
    Rolling Along JColeman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2825Matheny View Post
    Cold for just a few hours is not the end of the world.
    I would not winterize.
    I would resist the temptation to use either the electric fireplace or electric space heaters.
    I would use the propane furnace. Just choose a TStat setpoint above freezing.
    The reason is that the furnace has ducts that go into the belly and the convenience center to protect water pipes and tanks from freezing.
    If you have tank heater pads, use them too.

    Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
    Would you recommend the tank heaters even though my tanks are empty?
    Jeff and Jen
    2016 F250 CC Lariat 4x4 6.7L, Firestone Airbags, Pullrite Superglide
    2017 Solitude 310GK, a little solar, a little lithium, disc brakes and a few suspension mods

    Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin

  7. #7
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Jeff (JColeman)

    Good advice on this thread . . . I don't think you have anything to worry about for a few hours of below freezing temps.

    One point of clarification. Relieving the water pressure doesn't have any affect on likelihood of freezing. Still water is much more likely to freeze than moving water. Freezing will not likely expand though a faucet without breaking something. For a brief freeze, leaving water connected and a tap or two "dripping" will keep the water moving through the pipes and keep drawing relatively much warmer water from the underground pipes. Just remember . . . that water is going into a grey tank and drain these regularly or leave then open.

    Rob
    Last edited by Cate&Rob; 12-27-2018 at 11:18 AM.
    Cate & Rob
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  8. #8
    Rolling Along JColeman's Avatar
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    All the tanks are emptied and I opened the drain points just to try them, very little water came out. I'll set the thermostat for 50* and stop obsessing over it.
    Jeff and Jen
    2016 F250 CC Lariat 4x4 6.7L, Firestone Airbags, Pullrite Superglide
    2017 Solitude 310GK, a little solar, a little lithium, disc brakes and a few suspension mods

    Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin

  9. #9
    Paid my dues 😁 FT4NOW's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JColeman View Post
    All the tanks are emptied and I opened the drain points just to try them, very little water came out. I'll set the thermostat for 50* and stop obsessing over it.
    Might be saying the obvious, but make sure you leave your power plugged in with the converter and main breaker on. The furnace will probably deplete the battery fairly quickly.

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  10. #10
    Rolling Along JColeman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FT4NOW View Post
    Might be saying the obvious, but make sure you leave your power plugged in with the converter and main breaker on. The furnace will probably deplete the battery fairly quickly.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
    Thanks. 225 aH of battery and solar will cover a single night with no issues. But yes, I do have shore power if required.
    Jeff and Jen
    2016 F250 CC Lariat 4x4 6.7L, Firestone Airbags, Pullrite Superglide
    2017 Solitude 310GK, a little solar, a little lithium, disc brakes and a few suspension mods

    Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin

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