To ensure that all 12V electronic devices work without external power, the camping battery voltage should never fall below 12V (50%).
The light in the Family Finca (VW Grand California) only works when the camping battery is charged or when an external power supply is connected.
You can switch on the light via the on-board computer next to the bathroom (slightly different, depending on whether you have the horizontal or vertical camping display):
The light switches for the interior and the wet room are located on the front side of the kitchen counter and above the sink:
The light strips in the bathroom and above the dining area can also be operated and dimmed directly via the button on the side:
There are numerous power sockets and USB ports throughout the vehicle:
- 230V sockets can be found at the front of the rear seat, above the sink and in the luggage compartment.
- USB ports and 12V sockets are in the cockpit (USB Type-C), in the compartment above the dinette, above the bed, in the luggage compartment, on the rear seat bench.
Please note the following:
- When stationary, do not charge any device in the driver's cab via USB. The starter battery will discharge and the engine may not start!
- 230V sockets: only work with an external power connection
- USB ports and 12V sockets: work without an external power connection, with a charged camping battery (always keep it above 50% or 12V).
- With a full battery, you can be self-sufficient for 1-2 days without a power connection, depending on usage. Then you need to drive for a while to recharge the battery or connect your camper to an external power source.
- 🚗 Slow driving & short distances → hardly any battery charge
- 🛣️ Long drives on motorways → better charge, but takes several hours
- 🔋 The starter battery is charged first, then the camping battery.
- ⚠️ Driving alone is often not enough to fully charge the camping battery.
- 🔌 Recommendation: charge externally every 48 hours to avoid energy shortages (especially at night 💤).
- Don't forget to unplug the power cable before driving off! For some models, you need to press the blue lever next to the plug downwards.
Troubleshooting
If the electricity or the light does not work, you can test various things:
- Check the charge level of the camping battery on the board unit.
- Check whether the light is switched on there.
- With an external power source: Check whether the cable or the campsite socket is defective. Your friendly camping neighbour will probably help you out with the working cable and socket. 🥰
- Check the left cupboard under the bed to see if the RCD switches in the fuse box are pointing upwards. And whether the large, red battery main switch is on. If green is visible at the top, it is switched on: