SP heat tape wiring and other things

[Kb1jkn]

Yesterday while cleaning our shower I wanted to use a portable fan and plug it in to the bathroom receptacle over the sink. I was reminded that I had intentionally left the the breaker switched off because the circuit also powers the heat tape in the coach, according to the label.

We don't camp in conditions that require the heat tape to be working, and 33 year old heat tape seems to me like more of a fire hazard to me than anything.

Does anyone know how the heat tape was wired on our vintage of SP (89) and where I would look for a common area to disable it? I am not aware of any switches to activate it, so I assume it gets constant power and has a thermostat somewhere to power it up when needed.

Another heating element question I have is about the engine block heater. Our SP doesn't seem to have a switch to turn on the block heater. It works fine, but the only way I turn it on and off is by killing the breaker that powers it. I know there is an electrical outlet near our chassis batteries that also gets power off of this breaker.

Should there be a switch back at that outlet that may have been removed over the years? It seems odd that BB would have expected you to kill breaker power every time you want the block heater on and off. But it also seems odd that they would require you to walk back to the engine bay to turn it on too. The only switch under the sink is for our 120v hot water heater, no switches up near the front either.

What say you SP gurus?

[isp2952]

Not sure on the SP but don't know why it would be different, but all of mine on my '93 were plugged into outlets at the back of cabinets in the kitchen and bath.

[Kb1jkn]

Ok, I know I have a hinged access panel in the bathroom vanity. I will start by looking in there. Thank you.
I think kitchen freeze protection is provided by an electric baseboard heater inside the cabinet under the sink. Not sure if there is any heat tape there, I think only for the piping from the bathroom and back.

[Bill Pape]

earlier FC had a red lighted switch at the passenger kick panel.
Easy to install on an FC with out a switch as the junction box in available.
Many do not have a switch only a CB. Maybe trying to save few bucks on the build

[Kb1jkn]

Originally Posted by Bill Pape

earlier FC had a red lighted switch at the passenger kick panel.
Easy to install on an FC with out a switch as the junction box in available.
Many do not have a switch only a CB. Maybe trying to save few bucks on the build

If the CB is the only switch on our SP I think I will add one somewhere. I know the wiring passes through the ceiling of the engine bay, so maybe I will add something in the bedroom.

[Kb1jkn]

Originally Posted by isp2952

Not sure on the SP but don't know why it would be different, but all of mine on my '93 were plugged into outlets at the back of cabinets in the kitchen and bath.

Sure enough I looked closer under the kitchen sink along the outside wall and found an outlet with a cord plugged into it labeled heat tape. Same goes for the area behind the panel under the bathroom vanity with two cords plugged in. As long as there are no more hidden I believe they have all been disabled.
Thank you

[isp2952]

Originally Posted by Kb1jkn

Sure enough I looked closer under the kitchen sink along the outside wall and found an outlet with a cord plugged into it labeled heat tape. Same goes for the area behind the panel under the bathroom vanity with two cords plugged in. As long as there are no more hidden I believe they have all been disabled.
Thank you

Cool, I'm glad you found them and eliminated an issue and still have use of the bathroom receptacle, like you wanted.