Setting up for dry camping:
• Turn the refrigerator off auto and switch over to gas.
• Switch the water heater to LP-Gas and turn it on about an hour
before hot water is needed.
• Set the furnace to a desired nighttime temperature and keep it a
bit cooler to prevent the furnace from cycling all through the
night.
• Check on small items that use battery power, such as the porch
light, bay lights, under step light, generator compartment lights,
engine compartment lights, etc. If the television is not being
used, turn off the 12 Volt booster. One light left on, such as
under the front cap near the wipers, can reduce the battery con-
siderably. Do not forget to check the engine block heater in the
event it has been plugged into the outlet and is operating a
1,400-watt element when the inverter is on. In a case like that,
the batteries will not stay up for even 12 hours.
• Some battery draw has to be left on. Leave the battery kill
switch on at the entry door because the eyebrow in the refrigera-
tor (some models) requires 12 Volts to operate. In most
motorhomes, even though it is switched to gas, the furnace
requires 12 Volts to operate the fan.
• Keep flashlights handy. If some nighttime hours are to be spent
outdoors, build a campfire. Illuminate the vicinity around the
outside of the motorhome with some inexpensive tiki torches.
Just remember to transport the torches empty of fuel (keep the con-
tainer in the storage bay) and extinguish the flames before retir-
ing for the night. Many campgrounds place wood or cement bar-
riers between the site space and fire pit. Be sure to illuminate
any barriers or obstacles in the pathway to the motorhome.
• A large size flashlight positioned at the front door is perfect for
navigating through the coach during the dark of night without hav-
ing to use the interior lights. If interior lights are needed, remove
excess bulbs in the fixtures to conserve on battery usage. Just
one bulb in a central location, such as the vanity, will be suffi-
cient.
• During the day it is still important to conserve on energy. Turn
on the water pump only when using water; get in the habit of
turning the pump off when not in use. While the water pump
does not draw an abundance of power, the battery amp hours
while dry camping are important and should be conserved.
Driving & Safety
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WINDSOR 2•39
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