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a 12-volt fan. A switch controls fan operation. Be sure
to turn the fan OFF before closing the vent.
If you travel in heavily wooded areas or other places
where overhead clearance is restricted, close the
vents or lower them so they don't strike overhead
obstructions.
The vents may be cleaned from the top of the motor
home. Use soapy water on the vent cover. The screens
may be vacuumed or lightly brushed to remove ac-
cumulations of leaves or other debris.
Lubricate the gears and mechanism yearly with a
light, water resistant grease.
EFFECTS
OF
PROLONGED OCCUPANCY
Your motor home was designed primarily for recrea-
tional use and short term occupancy. If you expect
to occupy the motor home for an extended period,
be prepared to deal with condensation and the humid
conditions that may be encountered. The relatively
small volume, and tight, compact construction of a
modern recreational vehicle mean that the normal liv-
ing activities of even a few occupants will lead to
rapid saturation of the air contained in the motor home
and the appearance of visible moisture, especially in
cold weather. If you know the signs of excessive
moisture and condensation, you can minimize their
effects.
Just as moisture collects on the outside of a glass
of cold water during humid weather, moisture can
condense on the inside surfaces of your motor home
during use in cold weather when humidity of the in-
terior air is high. This condition is much greater in
a recreational vehicle than in most houses because
the insulated walls of the vehicle are much thinner
than house walls, and the small size and tight con-
struction of the vehicle allow a quick buildup of high
moisture levels in the inside air.
The air inside a recreational vehicle can contain a
surprisingly large amount of water vapor. Estimates
indicate that a family of four can vaporize up to three
gallons of water daily through breathing, cooking,
bathing, and washing. Unless this water vapor is car-
ried outside by ventilation, or condensed by a
dehumidifier, it will condense on the inside of the win-
dows and walls as moisture, or in cold weather as
frost or ice. It may also condense out of sight within
the walls or the ceiling where it will manifest itself
as stained panels. Appearance of these conditions
indicates a condensation problem.
CONTROLLING MOISTURE CONDENSATION
You can reduce or eliminate interior moisture con-
densation during cold weather by taking the follow-
ing steps:
Ventilate with outside air.
Partially open one or more roof vents and one or
more windows to provide controlled circulation of
22
outside air into the interior. While this ventilation
will increase furnace heating load, it will greatly
reduce, or eliminate, water condensation.
Note: Even when it is raining or snowing, ven-
tilation air from outside will be far drier than in-
terior air and will effectively reduce condensation.
Install tight fitting storm windows to reduce or
eliminate condensation on window glass.
The interior surface of the storm window will be
at least 20 degrees warmer, reducing moisture con-
densation. DO NOT COVER THE EMERGENCY EXIT
WINDOW. This window must be left accessible at
all times for emergency exit.
Reduce moisture released inside the motor home.
Run the range vent fan when cooking and the bath
vent fan (or open the bath vent) when bathing to
carry water vapor out of the motor home. Avoid
making steam from excessive bOiling or use of hot
water. Remove water or snow from shoes before
entering to avoid soaking the carpet. Avoid drying
overcoats or other clothes inside the motor home.
WARNING: DO NOT HEAT THE MOTOR HOME IN-
TERIOR WITH THE RANGE OR OVEN. In addition
to the hazards of toxic fumes and oxygen deple-
tion which make heating by the range or oven very
dangerous, open flames add moisture to the interior
air, increasing condensation. Do not use an air
humidifier inside the motor home. Water put into
the air by the humidifier will increase condensation.
Ventilate closets and cabinets.
During prolonged use in very cold weather, leave
cabinet and closet doors partially open to warm
and ventilate the interiors of storage compartments
built against exterior vvalls. The air flow will warm
the exterior wall surface, reducing or eliminating
condensation and preventing possible ice for-
mation.
Install a dehumidifier appliance.
During prolonged, continuous use, a dehumidify-
ing appliance may be more comfortable and effec-
tive in removing excess moisture from the interior
air. While use of a dehumidifier is not a "cure-all",
and ventilation, storm windows, and moisture
reduction continue to be important, operation of
the dehumidifier will reduce the amount of outside
air needed for ventilation. Heating load on the fur-
nace will be reduced, and the interior will be less
drafty.
FIRE SAFETY
The hazard and possibility of fire exists in all areas
of life, and the recreational life-style is no exception.
Your motor home is a complex machine made up of
many materials - some of them flammable. But like
most hazards, the possibility of fire can be minimiz-
ed, if not totally eliminated, by recognizing the danger
and practicing common sense safety and maintenance
habits.
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