Winterizing the Conversion:
At the end of your working day or when going on vacation during the winter, here are steps to prepare the conversion for below-freezing temperatures.
First, on the 12v DC panel, flip the switch to “off” for “Fresh Water.” This turns off the fresh water pump, ensuring you don't get sprayed with water after removing the spray nozzle. Pull the trigger on the spray nozzle to release pressure, then remove it from the rinse hose. Lay the rinse hose on the bottom of the tub to drain out any water remaining in the water mixer.
The water mixer will crack if frozen, so draining it nightly by following the steps above will ensure this does not happen.
Next, drain as much water from the tub as possible and ensure the hair trap is cleaned of debris. This works best when the gray tank is actively being drained or is empty. Take the nozzle off the high-velocity dryer hose and place the opening on the drain. Make sure the drain pump is off. On the variable speed setting, start low and use the dryer to blow air into the drain. (Using the dryer at full blast is likely to splash water all over the place, and you) This will push any remaining water into the grey tank from the drain line.
In extreme cold situations, draining the fresh water lines may be necessary. This includes the water pump and emptying the water tanks.To drain the fresh water pump, put the “fresh water” switch into the off position. In the back of the van, disconnect the hose from the fresh water tank to the fresh water pump. With the spray nozzle removed from the rinse hose in the tub, turn on the fresh pump from the 12v DC panel. Allow it to run for a few minutes until no more water comes from the rinse hose. Be sure to turn off the fresh pump from the DC panel once it runs dry. This step drains the water mixer simultaneously, so doing them separately is unnecessary. Leave the “Fresh Water” switch in the “off” position until you replace the spray nozzle.
Proper placement and use of a ceramic heater:
A ceramic heater should only be plugged into the dedicated black outlet. It should be placed near the tub and pointed at the drain pump underneath the tub. If the van is parked in freezing temperatures for long periods of time, it is better to fully drain the water systems in the conversion instead of relying on the heater. This is explained in more detail below. The heater works best for keeping the space warm during the working week.
Two separate 15 amp circuits are necessary to plug in the van's shoreline and dedicated line. If they are both on the same circuit, they will trip the breaker in your home or where you park the van when not in use. It is recommended to use a medium to heavy-duty 15 amp-rated extension cord.
Having hot water available for bathing:
For those with long, cold winters, it is recommended to have a hot water spigot to fill your fresh water tank in the mornings.
For everyone, driving the van long enough before your first stop is important to ensure it is to temperature. You can check this by going to “Service” and then scrolling to “Coolant” on your dash. This will ensure you maintain hot water availability in the tub.
For those in more temperate climates, filling your fresh tank when plugging in and running the tank warmer at night, plus ensuring the vehicle is to temperature before your first stop, should maintain proper temperatures in the tub.
Batteries:
Those with a lithium battery pack should ensure the battery is charged and turn it off before going on vacation. Keeping the van plugged in is not necessary.
Lead-acid batteries require nothing after full winterization. The van can be left plugged into the shoreline port if desired. While plugging in isn't necessary, ensure the 12v DC panel main switch is in the off position and the inverter is off to prevent coming back to dead batteries.
Maintenance:
It is recommended to pull out the water tanks and inspect the Heater. While doing this, it is also a good idea to check the screws on the “boost pump” and all of the hose clamp connections for tightness. This helps prevent coolant leaks.