Conservation Tips for RVers and Campers
Battery Conservation Tips:
Some common causes for battery failure include overcharging, undercharging, excessive vibration, calcium or magnesium sulfation from the usage of tap water, and deep discharges.
When you're charging your RV's battery, especially during really hot temperatures, take special care not to overcharge it. Overcharging can result in excessive amperage that can cause the water to actually boil out of the battery, and this loss of water can wreak havoc on your battery. When adding water to your battery, always use distilled water since ordinary tap water can cause magnesium and calcium buildups. In addition, heat can cause water volume to expand, which in turn can cause corrosion.
Undercharging can be a problem as well. If your RV battery isn't fully charged, sulfur can build up which can decrease your battery's storage capacity.
Don't deep cycle your batteries frequently (meaning it down to 80 to 100% discharge), which will shorten your battery life. Also, avoid shallow discharges (less than 10%). To get the most life out of your battery, use 25% to 50% of its battery storage capacity.
In the heat, make sure to take preventative measures to keep your battery top clean with no corrosion on posts and terminals. Also, tighten cable connections and alternating belts if needed.
Air Conditioning Conservation Tips:
Instead of using your dash air conditioners, try using the air conditioners in your coach when driving. In cold climates, run your heat pumps. These two tips will provide solid climate control, and will force you to use the generator under load. While the generator is running, you'll also be able to run your refrigerator on AC instead of using propane.
Water Conservation Tips:
When washing dishes, use two plastic tubs - one used for rinse water, the other used for washing. When you're down, empty the tubs into the toilet instead of down the sink that leads into the gray water tank. Also, make sure to turn off your water pump so you don't waste any more water flushing when you dump the dishwater. You can dump the dishwater only, while saving the rinse water which you can use as wash water the next go round.
Wipe excess food from pans and pots by using paper towels or napkins before washing them. This small step will save you a pre-rinse, hence saving you on water.
Use a pan or other container to catch the room temperature water that flows
while waiting for hot water to come through a shower or faucet. You'll be able
to later heat up the room temperature water on the stove or in the microwave
for use in washing the dishes, etc.