How to Check for Proper Operation of ThermaHeat RV Holding Tank Heating Pads

Updated 12/18/2017 | Published 12/16/2017

Question:

how can you tell if your heating pads on your black and grey water tanks are working properly/

asked by: Stan

Expert Reply:

RV holding tank heating pads like # 277-000164 and # 277-000163 operate on an automatic thermostat. The pads will automatically turn on at 45-degrees Fahrenheit and turn off at 67-degrees Fahrenheit. If you are nearby to the RV when the tanks are in a sub-45-degree environment you should be able to feel warmth from the pad if it is cycled on.

I confirmed with LaSalle-Bristol, the manufacturer of ThermaHeat pads, that the thermostats in these pads read the tank surface temperature and not the outside temperature to determine when they turn on and turn off. This means that once the tank's temperature drops to 45-degrees the heating element will turn on and remain on until the tank temperature reaches 67-degrees.

If you check your tank temperature and find it to be below 45 then the pad should at that point be turned on to warm it.

expert reply by: Adam R