You can charge the camping battery while driving or connect the van to an external power source. To do this, you need to connect the supplied cable (20 meters long) from the plug on the driver's side of the motorhome to a power source. The connection is located on the driver's side, behind the service flap. To open it, you need the medium-sized key. Insert the cable from bottom to top into the blue plug. Please note that campers cannot be charged at electric vehicle stations.
You can check the charge level in the on-board unit. Click on the second button on the left side, which has the image of the battery. While pressing, the battery level lights up. Anything between 13.5V and 12.3V is considered sufficient battery:
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 power in the living area, please check:
- Whether the camper unit is switched on as well as the 12V. If not, switch the device on above the door. A light indicates that it is switched on.
- Please note that the 230V sockets can only be used when connected to an external power supply! Without an external power supply, only 12V (USB and 12V sockets, lighting) can be used.
- The motorhome indicates that the battery is being charged by displaying a plug symbol on the screen.
- Also check the charge level of the secondary battery (second button on the left side)
- If the camper unit cannot be switched on, check the main battery switch. You will find it under the rear seat (with the seat belts). Lift the seat cushion and the wooden cover to expose the switches. The main switch is the red lever.
- Check that all cables are properly connected to the blue box. If one of them is a bit loose, try pushing it in. Never remove a cable from this box!
- If the battery does not charge while driving, check the fuse of the charging module:
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 source
- Please check whether the RCD switch or another of the 230V fuses has tripped. They must point in the direction of travel (towards the label):
- Check whether the charging booster is switched on. You will find it behind the cushion of the backrest - behind a flap:
The ON/OFF button must be pressed and lit when power is present: - If the battery still does not charge, check whether the cable or the socket at the other end (plugged in at the campsite) is defective. Maybe a friendly fellow camper will let you test with their 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.