You can charge the camper battery while driving or connect the Camper Castle to an external power source. Connect the supplied cable (20 metres long) from the plug on the driver's side of the camper to a power source. Please note that campers cannot be charged at the stations for electric vehicles.
The vehicle indicates charging by turning on an indicator light on the camper. The 230V sockets should now be working.
You can check the battery charge status here in the on-board unit:
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 you have problems with the electricity in the living area, please check:
- Whether the on-board computer is switched on.
- Whether the camping battery is charged.
Whether the "Batterie-Trenn-Schalter" is pointing upwards towards "Ein=On" . You will find this on the electrical block under the driver's seat:
- Check the large, red main fuse (50A) under the passenger seat:
Before any fuse is pulled, following safety measures is required:
- Turn off the engine and remove the key from the contact.
- Unplug the car from any external power supply.
- Pull carefully on the fuse by pulling from the sides.
- A damaged fuse can be burnt or have the connector broken (see picture). If so, please replace it. You can find them at petrol stations and hardware stores.
When connected to an external power supply
Only when you are connected to an external power source will the 230V sockets and the air conditioning work. Please always check:
- Whether the cable is plugged in correctly at the campsite and in the camper.
- Whether the indicator in the middle of the on-board unit lights up to show that an external power source is connected.
- Whether the RCD switches in the wardrobe (between the kitchen and bathroom on the driver's side) are facing upwards:
- If everything is OK, check if the cable or the socket at the other end (which is plugged in at the campsite) is faulty! Maybe a nice fellow camper will let you check with his cable and his working socket? :)
For deeply discharged camping batteries
As camping batteries are not lithium batteries, we advise you never to discharge them below 30%. This can damage the battery. If you suspect that the camping battery is deeply discharged, try the following:
- Connect shore power and run the engine.
- Try this for about 30 minutes. The extra amperage can bring a deeply discharged battery back up to speed.