BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
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04-30-2007, 14:09
Post: #11
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
I had no idea it was 110v with small wires. Thanks
Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" Niceville, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: Gardner Yeaw To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:04 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE" One thing that scares me is that plastic tubing is non conductive. If the heat tape filament burns through and makes contact with the water in the plastic pipe, you have a formula for electrocution. The wiring in an RV does not connect the ground to the neutral, but the above scenario combined with a defective electrical component could present a deadly combination. I would be very concerned about using heat tapes on plastic plumbing. Gardner 78FC33 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Terry Neal > > Leroy, > > Thank god you found the problem like you did & not after it started a > fire. I had one of those old heat tapes short out & actually burn the > plug connector completely off a heat tape in my coach last winter. > Ernie Ekberg told me he had had the same type of experience too with his > PT40. > > Good plan for everyone with one of these coaches is to check all of the > heat tapes on their coach & replace any that look marginal. > > Myself, I am replacing all of mine. They are all original & after 25 > years, they are bound to be just waiting to bite me. > > Terry Neal > Bozeman, MT > 82PT40 6V92TA > 74FC34 6V53T > > > > smquandt wrote: > > > Leroy > > > > I have my drawings at home tonight; the only thing that is shown on > > mine is > > what pipes are heated. The manufacturer is listed as Easyheat, web site is > > http://www.easyheat.com/ <http://www.easyheat.com/> My guess is a bad > > thermostat on the tape. Glad no > > worse than it was. If you want I can scan the drawings at work > > tomorrow and > > send them to you. > > > > Steve Quandt > > > > 1993 PT 40 > > > > Iron Mountain, MI > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > jwasnewski > > Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 6:30 PM > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse- "FIRE" > > > > For some time now I have listened to G. O'Conner's Cause and Affect > > theories, have agreed with them because it is how I think. Every > > problem has a specific cause. Here is mine. I am a very happy > > camper today because it could have been much worse with the family in > > the bus. > > > > Pulling into Talladega Superspeedway staging center about 8PM > > Thursday evening I smelled a heavy rubber or plastic smell. I > > checked out all the systems and everything was normal. So I passed > > the smell off to the numerous campfires at the Superspeedway. Who > > could have known? > > > > I asked the wife to turn on the waterheater to get the grandkids a > > bath while waiting to get into the infield. Genset running everything > > A OK. I go outside to talk with people milling around while the kids > > take their shower. It is dark thirty and a cold beer will do after a > > 5 hour drive. Then I hear what sounds like rain. The guy next door > > says it's your a/c. I think it sounds like a flood. In fact water > > was running out of all the the bays onto the ground. I ran inside, > > shut off the water pump thinking that either a line broke at the pump > > or the water heater failed. When I walked on the bedroom carpet it > > was hot water. I looked at the water heater, an that ain't easy in > > the dark an nothing. Pulled up the mattress and the bottom was > > soaked about half way across. My hearing is not good so I asked the > > Grandson to come back and listen.. Turned on the water pump and found > > where the leak was, then took out the night stand, pulled the carpet > > and found the problem. > > > > Winter protection strips. I do not know what else these wires could > > be. Maybe there are other names, heat tape etc. but true to form in > > my Royale conversion these things are not on my drawings, didn't > > think I had any because of the Wabasto Hydronic heat but I do. Only > > from the water pump to the water heater(I hope) encased in the > > insulation that surrounds the Pex tubing. They are 1/4 in width, > > copper or brass mesh with two wires inside of that. They have a > > vulcanized grey tip(I cut one apart)where the two wires are > > connected. Inside of the two 16 gauge wires are a white fiber > > substance circular wrapped with hair sized copper wiring similar to > > what one would have seen in an early 50's toaster except smaller. > > One or more of these wired failed for reasons unknown and fried a two > > inch long portion of the Pex tubing with water in it. There was > > evidence this had occurred before because one of the strips was > > stuck to and had imprinted the Pex tubing all along where I > > inspected. As well another wire had been capped off and a patch had > > been installed in the Pex. I have cut the remaining wires in half so > > this cannot happen again. When I get time I will trace them to the > > source and see how they are hooked up. > > > > I wonder this? Why did the fuse system fail? > > Why did the system operate at 87 degrees F OAT? > > > > I know this is windy but had to be detailed. I am convinced this > > event could have been very serious, burning the bus down and/or loss > > of life if it occurred at a different time. > > > > There will never be another heat strip in my bus under any > > circumstance. > > > > I will post pictures of the damaged parts when I get them developed. > > > > Leroy Eckert > > 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" > > Niceville, FL > > Got the water pipe hooked up with a little help from the good friends > > at Talladega. I'll repair it later. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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04-30-2007, 14:12
Post: #12
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
I donno, yet to be determined. In my case when I find out they will never be
plugged in again. My greatest fear in a bus is fire. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" Niceville, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Lawrence To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:14 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE" Soo, Where do the heat tapes plug in or are the hard wired? Bob Lawrence 84 PT 36 Tacoma, Wa. > > Leroy, > > Thank god you found the problem like you did & not after it started a > fire. I had one of those old heat tapes short out & actually burn the > plug connector completely off a heat tape in my coach last winter. > Ernie Ekberg told me he had had the same type of experience too with his > PT40. > > Good plan for everyone with one of these coaches is to check all of the > heat tapes on their coach & replace any that look marginal. > > Myself, I am replacing all of mine. They are all original & after 25 > years, they are bound to be just waiting to bite me. > > Terry Neal > Bozeman, MT > 82PT40 6V92TA > 74FC34 6V53T > > > > smquandt wrote: > > > Leroy > > > > I have my drawings at home tonight; the only thing that is shown on > > mine is > > what pipes are heated. The manufacturer is listed as Easyheat, web site is > > http://www.easyheat.com/ <http://www.easyheat.com/> My guess is a bad > > thermostat on the tape. Glad no > > worse than it was. If you want I can scan the drawings at work > > tomorrow and > > send them to you. > > > > Steve Quandt > > > > 1993 PT 40 > > > > Iron Mountain, MI > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > jwasnewski > > Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 6:30 PM > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse- "FIRE" > > > > For some time now I have listened to G. O'Conner's Cause and Affect > > theories, have agreed with them because it is how I think. Every > > problem has a specific cause. Here is mine. I am a very happy > > camper today because it could have been much worse with the family in > > the bus. > > > > Pulling into Talladega Superspeedway staging center about 8PM > > Thursday evening I smelled a heavy rubber or plastic smell. I > > checked out all the systems and everything was normal. So I passed > > the smell off to the numerous campfires at the Superspeedway. Who > > could have known? > > > > I asked the wife to turn on the waterheater to get the grandkids a > > bath while waiting to get into the infield. Genset running everything > > A OK. I go outside to talk with people milling around while the kids > > take their shower. It is dark thirty and a cold beer will do after a > > 5 hour drive. Then I hear what sounds like rain. The guy next door > > says it's your a/c. I think it sounds like a flood. In fact water > > was running out of all the the bays onto the ground. I ran inside, > > shut off the water pump thinking that either a line broke at the pump > > or the water heater failed. When I walked on the bedroom carpet it > > was hot water. I looked at the water heater, an that ain't easy in > > the dark an nothing. Pulled up the mattress and the bottom was > > soaked about half way across. My hearing is not good so I asked the > > Grandson to come back and listen.. Turned on the water pump and found > > where the leak was, then took out the night stand, pulled the carpet > > and found the problem. > > > > Winter protection strips. I do not know what else these wires could > > be. Maybe there are other names, heat tape etc. but true to form in > > my Royale conversion these things are not on my drawings, didn't > > think I had any because of the Wabasto Hydronic heat but I do. Only > > from the water pump to the water heater(I hope) encased in the > > insulation that surrounds the Pex tubing. They are 1/4 in width, > > copper or brass mesh with two wires inside of that. They have a > > vulcanized grey tip(I cut one apart)where the two wires are > > connected. Inside of the two 16 gauge wires are a white fiber > > substance circular wrapped with hair sized copper wiring similar to > > what one would have seen in an early 50's toaster except smaller. > > One or more of these wired failed for reasons unknown and fried a two > > inch long portion of the Pex tubing with water in it. There was > > evidence this had occurred before because one of the strips was > > stuck to and had imprinted the Pex tubing all along where I > > inspected. As well another wire had been capped off and a patch had > > been installed in the Pex. I have cut the remaining wires in half so > > this cannot happen again. When I get time I will trace them to the > > source and see how they are hooked up. > > > > I wonder this? Why did the fuse system fail? > > Why did the system operate at 87 degrees F OAT? > > > > I know this is windy but had to be detailed. I am convinced this > > event could have been very serious, burning the bus down and/or loss > > of life if it occurred at a different time. > > > > There will never be another heat strip in my bus under any > > circumstance. > > > > I will post pictures of the damaged parts when I get them developed. > > > > Leroy Eckert > > 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" > > Niceville, FL > > Got the water pipe hooked up with a little help from the good friends > > at Talladega. I'll repair it later. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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04-30-2007, 14:15
Post: #13
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
Ralph: I'll look there but do not ever recall seeing a 110v oulet there on my
coach. You are referring to the vent door on the curb side, right? Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" Niceville, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: Ralph L. Fullenwider To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:19 PM Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE" They should plug in to 110 vac in the out side refrigerator compartment. Safe travels, Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider '84 FC35 Duncan, Oklahoma Ralph's RV Solutions At 01:14 AM 5/1/2007 +0000, you wrote: >Soo, >Where do the heat tapes plug in or are the hard wired? >Bob Lawrence >84 PT 36 >Tacoma, Wa. > > > > Leroy, > > > > Thank god you found the problem like you did & not after it started >a > > fire. I had one of those old heat tapes short out & actually burn >the > > plug connector completely off a heat tape in my coach last winter. > > Ernie Ekberg told me he had had the same type of experience too >with his > > PT40. > > > > Good plan for everyone with one of these coaches is to check all of >the > > heat tapes on their coach & replace any that look marginal. > > > > Myself, I am replacing all of mine. They are all original & after >25 > > years, they are bound to be just waiting to bite me. > > > > Terry Neal > > Bozeman, MT > > 82PT40 6V92TA > > 74FC34 6V53T > > > > > > > > smquandt wrote: > > > > > Leroy > > > > > > I have my drawings at home tonight; the only thing that is shown >on > > > mine is > > > what pipes are heated. The manufacturer is listed as Easyheat, >web site is > > > http://www.easyheat.com/ <http://www.easyheat.com/> My guess is a >bad > > > thermostat on the tape. Glad no > > > worse than it was. If you want I can scan the drawings at work > > > tomorrow and > > > send them to you. > > > > > > Steve Quandt > > > > > > 1993 PT 40 > > > > > > Iron Mountain, MI > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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04-30-2007, 14:24
Post: #14
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
Do these things have a breaker or a fuse somewhere by chance. If not, do you
know why not? I do not have any tripped 110v breakers Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" Niceville, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: Ralph L. Fullenwider To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:19 PM Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE" They should plug in to 110 vac in the out side refrigerator compartment. Safe travels, Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider '84 FC35 Duncan, Oklahoma Ralph's RV Solutions At 01:14 AM 5/1/2007 +0000, you wrote: >Soo, >Where do the heat tapes plug in or are the hard wired? >Bob Lawrence >84 PT 36 >Tacoma, Wa. > > > > Leroy, > > > > Thank god you found the problem like you did & not after it started >a > > fire. I had one of those old heat tapes short out & actually burn >the > > plug connector completely off a heat tape in my coach last winter. > > Ernie Ekberg told me he had had the same type of experience too >with his > > PT40. > > > > Good plan for everyone with one of these coaches is to check all of >the > > heat tapes on their coach & replace any that look marginal. > > > > Myself, I am replacing all of mine. They are all original & after >25 > > years, they are bound to be just waiting to bite me. > > > > Terry Neal > > Bozeman, MT > > 82PT40 6V92TA > > 74FC34 6V53T > > > > > > > > smquandt wrote: > > > > > Leroy > > > > > > I have my drawings at home tonight; the only thing that is shown >on > > > mine is > > > what pipes are heated. The manufacturer is listed as Easyheat, >web site is > > > http://www.easyheat.com/ <http://www.easyheat.com/> My guess is a >bad > > > thermostat on the tape. Glad no > > > worse than it was. If you want I can scan the drawings at work > > > tomorrow and > > > send them to you. > > > > > > Steve Quandt > > > > > > 1993 PT 40 > > > > > > Iron Mountain, MI > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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04-30-2007, 14:24
Post: #15
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
Leroy with the PEX tubing and heat tapes at 120VAC I would be more
worried about someone getting electrocuted if ever it shorts and melts thru the tubing and hits the water. Not a good idea unless everything is connected to a ground fault breaker. Is it? tom warner vernon center,ny 1985 PT 40 At 10:12 PM 4/30/2007, you wrote: >I donno, yet to be determined. In my case when I find out they will >never be plugged in again. My greatest fear in a bus is fire. > >Leroy Eckert >1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" >Niceville, FL > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Bob Lawrence > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:14 PM > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE" > > > Soo, > Where do the heat tapes plug in or are the hard wired? > Bob Lawrence > 84 PT 36 > Tacoma, Wa. > > > > Leroy, > > > > Thank god you found the problem like you did & not after it started > a > > fire. I had one of those old heat tapes short out & actually burn > the > > plug connector completely off a heat tape in my coach last winter. > > Ernie Ekberg told me he had had the same type of experience too > with his > > PT40. > > > > Good plan for everyone with one of these coaches is to check all of > the > > heat tapes on their coach & replace any that look marginal. > > > > Myself, I am replacing all of mine. They are all original & after > 25 > > years, they are bound to be just waiting to bite me. > > > > Terry Neal > > Bozeman, MT > > 82PT40 6V92TA > > 74FC34 6V53T > > > > > > > > smquandt wrote: > > > > > Leroy > > > > > > I have my drawings at home tonight; the only thing that is shown > on > > > mine is > > > what pipes are heated. The manufacturer is listed as Easyheat, > web site is > > > http://www.easyheat.com/ <http://www.easyheat.com/> My guess is a > bad > > > thermostat on the tape. Glad no > > > worse than it was. If you want I can scan the drawings at work > > > tomorrow and > > > send them to you. > > > > > > Steve Quandt > > > > > > 1993 PT 40 > > > > > > Iron Mountain, MI > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > jwasnewski > > > Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 6:30 PM > > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse- > "FIRE" > > > > > > For some time now I have listened to G. O'Conner's Cause and > Affect > > > theories, have agreed with them because it is how I think. Every > > > problem has a specific cause. Here is mine. I am a very happy > > > camper today because it could have been much worse with the > family in > > > the bus. > > > > > > Pulling into Talladega Superspeedway staging center about 8PM > > > Thursday evening I smelled a heavy rubber or plastic smell. I > > > checked out all the systems and everything was normal. So I passed > > > the smell off to the numerous campfires at the Superspeedway. Who > > > could have known? > > > > > > I asked the wife to turn on the waterheater to get the grandkids a > > > bath while waiting to get into the infield. Genset running > everything > > > A OK. I go outside to talk with people milling around while the > kids > > > take their shower. It is dark thirty and a cold beer will do > after a > > > 5 hour drive. Then I hear what sounds like rain. The guy next door > > > says it's your a/c. I think it sounds like a flood. In fact water > > > was running out of all the the bays onto the ground. I ran inside, > > > shut off the water pump thinking that either a line broke at the > pump > > > or the water heater failed. When I walked on the bedroom carpet it > > > was hot water. I looked at the water heater, an that ain't easy in > > > the dark an nothing. Pulled up the mattress and the bottom was > > > soaked about half way across. My hearing is not good so I asked > the > > > Grandson to come back and listen.. Turned on the water pump and > found > > > where the leak was, then took out the night stand, pulled the > carpet > > > and found the problem. > > > > > > Winter protection strips. I do not know what else these wires > could > > > be. Maybe there are other names, heat tape etc. but true to form > in > > > my Royale conversion these things are not on my drawings, didn't > > > think I had any because of the Wabasto Hydronic heat but I do. > Only > > > from the water pump to the water heater(I hope) encased in the > > > insulation that surrounds the Pex tubing. They are 1/4 in width, > > > copper or brass mesh with two wires inside of that. They have a > > > vulcanized grey tip(I cut one apart)where the two wires are > > > connected. Inside of the two 16 gauge wires are a white fiber > > > substance circular wrapped with hair sized copper wiring similar > to > > > what one would have seen in an early 50's toaster except smaller. > > > One or more of these wired failed for reasons unknown and fried a > two > > > inch long portion of the Pex tubing with water in it. There was > > > evidence this had occurred before because one of the strips was > > > stuck to and had imprinted the Pex tubing all along where I > > > inspected. As well another wire had been capped off and a patch > had > > > been installed in the Pex. I have cut the remaining wires in half > so > > > this cannot happen again. When I get time I will trace them to the > > > source and see how they are hooked up. > > > > > > I wonder this? Why did the fuse system fail? > > > Why did the system operate at 87 degrees F OAT? > > > > > > I know this is windy but had to be detailed. I am convinced this > > > event could have been very serious, burning the bus down and/or > loss > > > of life if it occurred at a different time. > > > > > > There will never be another heat strip in my bus under any > > > circumstance. > > > > > > I will post pictures of the damaged parts when I get them > developed. > > > > > > Leroy Eckert > > > 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" > > > Niceville, FL > > > Got the water pipe hooked up with a little help from the good > friends > > > at Talladega. I'll repair it later. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > |
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04-30-2007, 14:52
Post: #16
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
Correct. When I first saw them I wasn't concerned because typically those small
wires are not 120v. So, I grabbed ahold of them. That could be a problem for sure, I think. In addition, the pipes were sitting next to a Romex cable covered by anti-chaffing tube. That could possible be another problem. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" Niceville, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Warner To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 9:24 PM Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE" Leroy with the PEX tubing and heat tapes at 120VAC I would be more worried about someone getting electrocuted if ever it shorts and melts thru the tubing and hits the water. Not a good idea unless everything is connected to a ground fault breaker. Is it? tom warner vernon center,ny 1985 PT 40 At 10:12 PM 4/30/2007, you wrote: >I donno, yet to be determined. In my case when I find out they will >never be plugged in again. My greatest fear in a bus is fire. > >Leroy Eckert >1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" >Niceville, FL > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Bob Lawrence > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:14 PM > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE" > > > Soo, > Where do the heat tapes plug in or are the hard wired? > Bob Lawrence > 84 PT 36 > Tacoma, Wa. > > > > Leroy, > > > > Thank god you found the problem like you did & not after it started > a > > fire. I had one of those old heat tapes short out & actually burn > the > > plug connector completely off a heat tape in my coach last winter. > > Ernie Ekberg told me he had had the same type of experience too > with his > > PT40. > > > > Good plan for everyone with one of these coaches is to check all of > the > > heat tapes on their coach & replace any that look marginal. > > > > Myself, I am replacing all of mine. They are all original & after > 25 > > years, they are bound to be just waiting to bite me. > > > > Terry Neal > > Bozeman, MT > > 82PT40 6V92TA > > 74FC34 6V53T > > > > > > > > smquandt wrote: > > > > > Leroy > > > > > > I have my drawings at home tonight; the only thing that is shown > on > > > mine is > > > what pipes are heated. The manufacturer is listed as Easyheat, > web site is > > > http://www.easyheat.com/ <http://www.easyheat.com/> My guess is a > bad > > > thermostat on the tape. Glad no > > > worse than it was. If you want I can scan the drawings at work > > > tomorrow and > > > send them to you. > > > > > > Steve Quandt > > > > > > 1993 PT 40 > > > > > > Iron Mountain, MI > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > jwasnewski > > > Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 6:30 PM > > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse- > "FIRE" > > > > > > For some time now I have listened to G. O'Conner's Cause and > Affect > > > theories, have agreed with them because it is how I think. Every > > > problem has a specific cause. Here is mine. I am a very happy > > > camper today because it could have been much worse with the > family in > > > the bus. > > > > > > Pulling into Talladega Superspeedway staging center about 8PM > > > Thursday evening I smelled a heavy rubber or plastic smell. I > > > checked out all the systems and everything was normal. So I passed > > > the smell off to the numerous campfires at the Superspeedway. Who > > > could have known? > > > > > > I asked the wife to turn on the waterheater to get the grandkids a > > > bath while waiting to get into the infield. Genset running > everything > > > A OK. I go outside to talk with people milling around while the > kids > > > take their shower. It is dark thirty and a cold beer will do > after a > > > 5 hour drive. Then I hear what sounds like rain. The guy next door > > > says it's your a/c. I think it sounds like a flood. In fact water > > > was running out of all the the bays onto the ground. I ran inside, > > > shut off the water pump thinking that either a line broke at the > pump > > > or the water heater failed. When I walked on the bedroom carpet it > > > was hot water. I looked at the water heater, an that ain't easy in > > > the dark an nothing. Pulled up the mattress and the bottom was > > > soaked about half way across. My hearing is not good so I asked > the > > > Grandson to come back and listen.. Turned on the water pump and > found > > > where the leak was, then took out the night stand, pulled the > carpet > > > and found the problem. > > > > > > Winter protection strips. I do not know what else these wires > could > > > be. Maybe there are other names, heat tape etc. but true to form > in > > > my Royale conversion these things are not on my drawings, didn't > > > think I had any because of the Wabasto Hydronic heat but I do. > Only > > > from the water pump to the water heater(I hope) encased in the > > > insulation that surrounds the Pex tubing. They are 1/4 in width, > > > copper or brass mesh with two wires inside of that. They have a > > > vulcanized grey tip(I cut one apart)where the two wires are > > > connected. Inside of the two 16 gauge wires are a white fiber > > > substance circular wrapped with hair sized copper wiring similar > to > > > what one would have seen in an early 50's toaster except smaller. > > > One or more of these wired failed for reasons unknown and fried a > two > > > inch long portion of the Pex tubing with water in it. There was > > > evidence this had occurred before because one of the strips was > > > stuck to and had imprinted the Pex tubing all along where I > > > inspected. As well another wire had been capped off and a patch > had > > > been installed in the Pex. I have cut the remaining wires in half > so > > > this cannot happen again. When I get time I will trace them to the > > > source and see how they are hooked up. > > > > > > I wonder this? Why did the fuse system fail? > > > Why did the system operate at 87 degrees F OAT? > > > > > > I know this is windy but had to be detailed. I am convinced this > > > event could have been very serious, burning the bus down and/or > loss > > > of life if it occurred at a different time. > > > > > > There will never be another heat strip in my bus under any > > > circumstance. > > > > > > I will post pictures of the damaged parts when I get them > developed. > > > > > > Leroy Eckert > > > 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors" > > > Niceville, FL > > > Got the water pipe hooked up with a little help from the good > friends > > > at Talladega. I'll repair it later. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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04-30-2007, 15:55
Post: #17
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
On 4/30/07, Leroy Eckert
> > My greatest fear in a bus is fire. Leroy, You & me both, and I am following this thread with solid interest. There will be a lot of work ahead of me when I get home. Going to dig into the archives here to see all of the other things I need to do. Other than fire, my greatest fear with a vehicle is having one fall on me when I'm under it. One day it actually happened. Well, I wasn't under it, but I had a vehicle fall off it's jackstands and careen toward me while I was laying on a creeper behind it. Car was up on 4 jackstands and one up front failed, just collapsed. ~2800lb car up on 4 stands rated 4500lbs each. That'll teach me to buy jack-stands at wal-mart. Now I have a set of truck stands rated for >12klbs each and only use them... (and I didn't buy them at a discount store) -Ryan |
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05-01-2007, 07:06
Post: #18
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
Hello,
Industry now uses self regulating heat/trace tape. Not to be confused with regular resistive loop heat tape controlled via thermostat. As on our blue birds. Self regulating tape has two conductors with a temperature sensitive substrate in between that conducts more and more as the temperature goes down. Sit an ice cube on a 1" section and only that portion of the heat tape will get warm. You can also attach thermostat to it to limmit when it can power up as well. The colder it gets, the more current it will draw. It can be had with all kinds of protective shiethings, can be cut to a desired length, pliced together, etc. This stuff is not cheap, and is vastly superrior to the old stuff. You may be able to get short (scrap) section from your local insulators, scrap to them is quite useful in a bus. On my 1980 bus the heat tape thermostat had failed off, a good thing judging from the condition of the tape. On my 1987 the heat tape has a brade about it and is round in shape and in very good physical condition, I'm hoping this is the self regulating kind but don't really know. That reminds me, I should unplug it until I find out... Regards, Don Duncan 1987 PT40 Beaverton, Oregon |
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05-01-2007, 07:54
Post: #19
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
On mine, there is a 15-amp breaker in the AC panel labeled "Freeze Heaters" that
is off. It is in a pair with another 15-amp for the Instant Hot. Don Bradner 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" Posting on the road by satellite from Lincoln City, Oregon Headed north On 4/30/2007 at 9:24 PM Leroy Eckert wrote: >Do these things have a breaker or a fuse somewhere by chance. If not, do >you know why not? I do not have any tripped 110v breakers |
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05-01-2007, 08:32
Post: #20
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BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE"
Please do.
Visually, my "heaters" are shiny beautiful except where it smoked which is melted black carbonized metal. I would like to know how this wire magically smoked. I did find what I believe to be the circuit breaker(it was not tripped) and shut it off. I still have not located where they are plugged in. I do not plan to reinstall these wires. If the subject pipes freeze it is because the Hydronic heat failed and if I'm in the bus I'll freeze also. Gotta find matching carpet now or I will get to recarpet the bus. Thanks for the info. Leroy Eckert 1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors Niceville, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: worktohobby To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 2:06 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: BB Flood-Could Have Been Much Worse-"FIRE" Hello, Industry now uses self regulating heat/trace tape. Not to be confused with regular resistive loop heat tape controlled via thermostat. As on our blue birds. Self regulating tape has two conductors with a temperature sensitive substrate in between that conducts more and more as the temperature goes down. Sit an ice cube on a 1" section and only that portion of the heat tape will get warm. You can also attach thermostat to it to limmit when it can power up as well. The colder it gets, the more current it will draw. It can be had with all kinds of protective shiethings, can be cut to a desired length, pliced together, etc. This stuff is not cheap, and is vastly superrior to the old stuff. You may be able to get short (scrap) section from your local insulators, scrap to them is quite useful in a bus. On my 1980 bus the heat tape thermostat had failed off, a good thing judging from the condition of the tape. On my 1987 the heat tape has a brade about it and is round in shape and in very good physical condition, I'm hoping this is the self regulating kind but don't really know. That reminds me, I should unplug it until I find out... Regards, Don Duncan 1987 PT40 Beaverton, Oregon [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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