{"id":14705,"date":"2023-10-12T06:00:42","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T12:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecampingnerd.com\/?p=14705"},"modified":"2023-10-13T01:13:50","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T07:13:50","slug":"recpro-facon-rv-tank-heat-pads-power-usage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecampingnerd.com\/recpro-facon-rv-tank-heat-pads-power-usage\/","title":{"rendered":"RecPro & Facon RV Tank Heat Pads Power Usage & Battery Draw"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prepping an RV for Cold Weather<\/h2>\n

Most people don’t RV camp in freezing temperatures, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.<\/p>\n

Maybe you needed to stay up north an extra month, or you need some temporary housing for a job in a cold area.<\/p>\n

There can even be random freezes that hit the warm southern states that normally have temperatures that stay well above freezing year round.<\/p>\n

Related Product: Indoor propane heaters like the Mr. Heater Buddy (click to view on Amazon)<\/a> are a great way to keep your RV warm without using electricity.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whatever the reason, it’s a good idea to be prepared for freezing temperatures if you are going to be using your RV in the winter, early spring, or late fall.<\/p>\n

It’s easy to keep the inside of your RV warm with the RV furnace, space heaters (if you have electricity), or propane heaters.<\/p>\n

But the outside of the RV is a different story.<\/p>\n

Some RVs have the freshwater tank inside, but many have them mounted underneath the RV.<\/p>\n

Every RV has the black and grey tanks mounted underneath as well.<\/p>\n

Being mounted outside the RV saves space inside but it leaves the RV tanks exposed to the cold.<\/p>\n

There’s a chance of them freezing, which could result in a break or crack. Broken RV holding tanks can be a time consuming and costly repair.<\/p>\n

See Also:\u00a0This Is The Best Heated Water Hose For Long-Term Use<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

What Are RV Tank Heater Pads?<\/h2>\n

One easy way RVers can help keep the RV holding tanks from freezing is to install RV tank heater pads.<\/p>\n

These pads have heat cables running through them.<\/p>\n

They adhere to the bottom of the tanks so the heat can transfer upwards and stop freezing.<\/p>\n

Most RV heating pads are 12 volt powered.<\/p>\n

That means you can hook them up to your RV battery and power them even if you aren’t connected to 120 volt power.<\/p>\n

There is a 120 volt option in this article, make sure you double check the voltage before purchase so you get the right one.<\/p>\n

They are great for any kind of camper and are a simple upgrade that can help give you peace of mind when camping during the colder months.<\/p>\n

In this article, I’m going to go over the power usage of some of the most popular RV tank heater pads sold by Facon and RecPro<\/p>\n

I’ll give the amp and watts usage of the different sizes and also give you the information you need to calculate how much battery power the heater pads will use.<\/p>\n

I’ve also included some of the smaller RV heater pads that are used for RV drain pipes and gate valves.<\/p>\n

See Also:\u00a0Best Heated RV Sewer Hose Review For Winter RV Camping<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

RecPro (Facon) RV Tank Heat Pads Power Usage<\/h2>\n
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\n <\/div>\n
\n
\"RecPro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"RecPro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"Facon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"Facon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"Facon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"RecPro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Product (Link) <\/div>\n
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RecPro RV Tank Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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RecPro XL RV Tank Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Facon Elbow RV Pipe Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Facon Elbow RV Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Facon RV Gate Valve Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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RecPro RV Tank Heater Pad 120V<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Size in Inches <\/div>\n
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7 1\/4 x 25<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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12 x 18<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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3 x 13<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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3 x 8<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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1 1\/2 x 16<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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8 x 25<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Tank Size <\/div>\n
\n
Up to 50 Gallons<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Up to 50 Gallons<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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For drain pipe & elbows<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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for drain pipe elbows<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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for gate valves<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Up to 40 Gallons<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Volts <\/div>\n
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13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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120<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Amps Per Hour <\/div>\n
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5.8<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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5<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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0.55<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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0.3<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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2<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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0.7<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Watts Per Hour <\/div>\n
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78<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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65<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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7.5<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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4<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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27<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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84<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Temp Control <\/div>\n
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<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n <\/div>\n
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Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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\n <\/div>\n
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\"RecPro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Product (Link) <\/div>\n
\n
RecPro RV Tank Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Size in Inches <\/div>\n
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7 1\/4 x 25<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Tank Size <\/div>\n
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Up to 50 Gallons<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Volts <\/div>\n
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13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Amps Per Hour <\/div>\n
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5.8<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Watts Per Hour <\/div>\n
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78<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Temp Control <\/div>\n
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<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n <\/div>\n
\n
Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
\"RecPro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Product (Link) <\/div>\n
\n
RecPro XL RV Tank Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Size in Inches <\/div>\n
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12 x 18<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Tank Size <\/div>\n
\n
Up to 50 Gallons<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Volts <\/div>\n
\n
13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Amps Per Hour <\/div>\n
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5<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Watts Per Hour <\/div>\n
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65<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Temp Control <\/div>\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
\"Facon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Product (Link) <\/div>\n
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Facon Elbow RV Pipe Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Size in Inches <\/div>\n
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3 x 13<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Tank Size <\/div>\n
\n
For drain pipe & elbows<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Volts <\/div>\n
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13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n Amps Per Hour <\/div>\n
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0.55<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Watts Per Hour <\/div>\n
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7.5<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Temp Control <\/div>\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
\"Facon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Product (Link) <\/div>\n
\n
Facon Elbow RV Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Size in Inches <\/div>\n
\n
3 x 8<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Tank Size <\/div>\n
\n
for drain pipe elbows<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Volts <\/div>\n
\n
13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Amps Per Hour <\/div>\n
\n
0.3<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Watts Per Hour <\/div>\n
\n
4<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Temp Control <\/div>\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
\"Facon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Product (Link) <\/div>\n
\n
Facon RV Gate Valve Heater Pad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Size in Inches <\/div>\n
\n
1 1\/2 x 16<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Tank Size <\/div>\n
\n
for gate valves<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Volts <\/div>\n
\n
13.5 (ok for 12V)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Amps Per Hour <\/div>\n
\n
2<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Watts Per Hour <\/div>\n
\n
27<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Temp Control <\/div>\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
\"RecPro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Product (Link) <\/div>\n
\n
RecPro RV Tank Heater Pad 120V<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Size in Inches <\/div>\n
\n
8 x 25<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Tank Size <\/div>\n
\n
Up to 40 Gallons<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Volts <\/div>\n
\n
120<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Amps Per Hour <\/div>\n
\n
0.7<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Watts Per Hour <\/div>\n
\n
84<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n Temp Control <\/div>\n
\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Check Price at Amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Last update on 2024-04-26 \/ Affiliate links \/ Images from Amazon Product Advertising API<\/p>\n

On the table, there’s a row called “Temp Control.”<\/p>\n

The temp control feature is a built in thermostat that will turn on the RV tank heat pads when the temperature drops below 45\u00b0F.<\/p>\n

It helps save power and makes it so you don’t have to switch them on and off every time you want to use them.<\/p>\n

This feature isn’t built into the smaller drain pipe heaters, they will need to be turned on and off manually.<\/p>\n

One thing to note if you’re boondocking is the thermostat draws a little power all of the time.<\/p>\n

You may want to turn off the pads completely when not in use so your battery doesn’t slowly drain.<\/p>\n

See Also:\u00a0Best Small Portable Propane Heater For Indoor & RV Use<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

RV Tank Heat Pad Installation<\/h2>\n

In general, installing heating pads on RV holding tanks and drain pipes is really easy.<\/p>\n

All of the ones in this article have adhesive on one side, just peel and stick.<\/p>\n

If your RV is covered underneath it might be a little harder to access the tanks, but that shouldn’t stop you from installing heating pads.<\/p>\n

You can cut into the underside cover to expose the tanks and install the pads.<\/p>\n

\"underneath <\/picture>
Covered underside of an RV that was cut into so RV tank heater pads could be installed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When you’re done you can use my zip tie method to put the cover back in place.<\/p>\n

Most of the time RVs with a closed underside are also insulated, but if there’s no insulation you can add some when you are installing the RV tank heater.<\/p>\n

The electrical is the most difficult part of installing RV tank heater pads.<\/p>\n

If you have multiple pads you can connect them in parallel, add a rocker switch, then connect to a 12V power source.<\/p>\n

Or you can use a switch plate like this (click to view on Amazon)<\/a> that has a switch for each tank.<\/p>\n

For this install you will need to run wires from each pad to the switches.<\/p>\n

\"RecPro<\/a><\/p>\n

You can connect the main power cable either directly to the RV battery or to the 12 volt part of the RV power center.<\/p>\n

The wire gauge you should use depends a lot on the number of tank heater pads you are going to be using.<\/p>\n

Use the table to find the amp usage of each heating pad, add all of them together, and get a gauge of wire that can supply power to all of them.<\/p>\n

See Also:\u00a0How To Stay Warm In An RV At Night Without Using The Furnace<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

RV Battery Run Time Calculations<\/h2>\n

I’ve written out each step of the calculations in detail below for those who are new to the world of RV batteries.<\/p>\n

If you already understand battery capacity I’ll give a short version quickly so you don’t have to read through the detailed explanation.<\/p>\n

Battery Capacity (in Wh) \/ Total Watts Used by Heat Pads = Number of Hours Battery Can Power Heat Pads<\/p>\n

Remember for lead acid batteries you only want to use 50% of the capacity. For lithium 80% of the capacity.<\/p>\n

Also, cold temperatures can reduce the storage capacity of batteries.<\/p>\n

This estimate is also based purely on the power draw by the RV tank heat pads, there are also lots of other things that draw power from an RV battery.<\/p>\n

Remember to take those things into account when calculating.<\/p>\n

Related<\/strong><\/p>\n