You can charge the camping battery while driving or connect the van to an external power source. To do this, you must 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 electric vehicle stations.
Please note the following:
- Don't forget to unplug the power cable before driving off! To do this, press down the blue lever to the left of the plug.
- With a fully charged battery, you will be self-sufficient for about 2 days without electricity. Then you have to drive again for some time to recharge the battery or connect your camper to an external power source.
You can check the charge level in the on-board unit. Click on the button at the top left, the one with the picture of the battery. While you press it, the battery level will light up. Anything between 13.5V and 12.3V is considered sufficient battery:
Troubleshooting
If you have problems with the power in the living area, please check:
- Whether the camper unit is switched on. If not, switch on the unit above the sliding door. A green light at the top right indicates that it is switched on.
- Also check the battery level of the secondary battery (upper button on the left).
- Check the main fuse of the camping battery in the cupboard under the bed on the driver's side:
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 external power
- Please note that the 230V sockets can only be used if the camper is connected to an external power supply! Without an external power supply, only 12V (USB and 12V sockets, lighting) can be used.
- The camper indicates that the external power source is connected and the battery is being charged by a light illuminating at the bottom left of the cable symbol:
- If you are connected to an external power supply (230V) and have problems, please check whether the RCD or another of the 230V fuses has blown. They must point in the direction of travel. You will find them in one of the boxes under the rear bed, next to the bathroom door.
- If everything is OK, check if the cable or the socket at the other end (which is plugged in at the campsite) is defective. Maybe a nice fellow camper will let you check with his cable and 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.