Monaco LaPalma, Owner'S Manual

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2 • 56
2004 • LaPalma
Driving & Safety
For extended dry camping, management of all resources is essential. The
motorhome has large batteries, plenty of water and large holding tank
capacities. With a little care and forethought it is possible to go a long way
with only the wonderful amenities you bring with you.
Conserve water! The motorhome holds a lot but it goes down the drain
fast. Use a manual valve on the shower head. Turn the water off and on as
needed while showering. By doing this the amount of water needed for a
shower can be reduced by as much as two-thirds. Don't let water run in sink
while doing other things, such as, wiping up the kitchen counters or brushing
your teeth.
Conserve battery power. Use electricity sparingly. Charge the batteries
when they are half down. At half charge the battery voltage will be 12.2
Volts. You can use a hydrometer for testing. A good rule of thumb is to run
the generator for three to four hours daily, which should supply enough
power. Before arriving at your destination, fill the motorhome with fuel to
increase generator running time. Never try to use batteries until they are
completely dead, or when the lights "dim out." Each time the batteries are
used at half charge the ability to recharge up to full capacity is diminished.
The damage that occurs is cumulative and will eventually render a battery
useless.
If you are in a habit of starting the engine regularly, remember that the
alternator output is lower at idle, and that even at fast idle it may take as
much as an hour to replace what it took to start up the engine. Also, realize
that running the engine for a short time may increase moisture contamination
in the fuel and oil. It is better to run the engine less often and run it longer,
for perhaps an hour. The good news is this can be included in the battery
recharge schedule.
Remember that different motorhomes have different equipment and that
everyone has different habits and expectations. The above general guidelines
should provide a useful starting point for building your own schedule and
regimen for extended stays where power and water are not available. You too
can become less dependent on hook-ups.
DRY CAMPING