Dry Camping - Monaco DIPLOMAT 2004 Owner's Manual

• Hook the potable water hose to the city water connection in the
service center. Install a water pressure regulator to protect the water
hose from excess pressure. Turn the hand valve to "city water."
NOTE: Attach a water pressure regulator between the city water
faucet and the potable fresh water hose to protect the hose from
swelling or bursting under high city water pressure. Securing the
pressure regulator to the hose with pliers will prevent the
regulator from being misplaced.
• Hook-up the sewer hose. Sewer drain pipe diameters are generally
either three or four inches. Proper sewer hose adapters will ensure
against leaks or spillage. Check to make sure all hose clamps are tight,
with the sewer hose properly connected open the grey water valve. The
black water valve remains closed until the tank is full or until time of
departure.
The key to a successful dry camping trip is having a reasonable
understanding how the different electrical systems work and interface. Each
electrical system operates as a single entity but is usually connected or
dependent upon operation of another electrical system. If one electrical system
malfunctions, it generally effects the operation of another electrical system. To
obtain satisfactory performance, all electrical systems must be in proper working
order and operated in the parameters for which they are intended.
When it comes to dry camping, the state of the charge of the house batteries is
going to determine how long the interior lighting will last or how long the TV
operates from the inverter. Starting a dry camping trip with batteries in a low state
of charge, or one battery in the battery bank that is damaged, will ultimately result
in a disappointing time. There are several different charging systems, all of which
are designed to either charge or offset battery draw. There are three basic charging
systems on the motorhome: inverter/converter, alternator and solar panels.
Each charging system performs a specific type of charge profile. The inverter/
converter is the preferred method to charge the house batteries. The inverter/
converter uses 120 Volts AC supplied by either shore power or the generator. It
converts 120 Volts AC to 13.5 to 14.5 Volts DC, depending on state of charge of the
batteries and the load placed on them. The alternator maintains battery voltage
while traveling and supplies the current necessary to operate various loads placed
on the engine and house batteries. Solar panels offset various parasitic loads that
are on the house and engine batteries.
Begin with a full fresh water tank and empty waste holding tanks. When the
fresh tank is low, the waste holding tanks will more than likely be full. Empty the
waste holding tanks before refilling the fresh water tank. Learning ways to save
water will ease the burden of camping without hookups. Bottled water is a good
alternative for you and your pets to eliminate demands put on the fresh and gray
water tanks.
DRIVING & SAFETY
DIPLOMAT 2004

DRY CAMPING

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