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 Couple Cottage (Weinsberg CaraTour/CaraBus 600) only works when the camping battery is charged or when an external power supply is connected.
Switch on the camper unit above the sliding door to be able to use power and light:
Or
You can then operate the light from the main switch in the kitchen, which is located above the sink:
You can also switch on the LED spotlights in the car by touch. Tap the LED light spot on the ceiling and under the cupboards and the light switches on.
There are numerous sockets and USB ports throughout the vehicle:
- 2 x 12 V in the cockpit, which are powered by the car battery and should only be used while driving to avoid the risk of draining the car battery.
1 x USB socket in the cockpit, which is powered by the car battery and should only be used while driving. - 1 x 12 V in the kitchen, which also works without an external power connection (via the camping battery).
- 3 x USB sockets in the living area, which also work without an external power connection (via the camping battery). One under the cupboards above the rear bench, one in the cupboard next to the on-board computer and Truma, one in the bed.
- 3 x 230 V sockets that only work when connected to an external power source. One where the light switches are in the kitchen, one under the rear seat in the dining area, one in the sleeping area - between the boot door and the upper cupboard.
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 power or lights are not working, you can test various things:
- Check whether the camper unit is switched on.
- Check the charge level of the camper battery there.
- If there is no power at all in the camper, check the red main battery switch. You will find this behind a wooden cover on the left-hand side of the boot:
- Also check the main fuse of the camping battery:
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 the external power supply
- The camper indicates that the battery is being charged via external power by a light on the top left of the camper unit.
- If you are connected to the external power supply (230V) and still have problems, check whether the RCD or another of the 230V fuses has blown. They must be tilted upwards in order to work.
You will also find them behind the wooden cover on the left-hand side of the boot: - If everything is OK, check whether 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 working socket?