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 the charging process via the indicator light on the on-board unit inside the camper:
You can check the charge status of the battery via the on-board unit:
- Switch on the on-board unit by pushing the on/off button:
- Check the battery level with the button on the upper right:
The Voltage is shown on the left scale. - You can check the motor battery as well by pushing the button on the buttom right:
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:
- Check if the on-board computer is switched on.
- Check if the camping battery is charged.
- Keep in mind, that the 230V sockets and the air conditioning system will only work if you are connected to an external power source.
When the batterie is not charging while driving:
- Check that the main fuses are ok and/or the battery main switch is set to “ON”:
- If the voltage display still does not increase, the fuse of the internal charging module has probably blown. Please check:
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.
If the batterie does not charge when connected to an external power supply
- Check if the cable at the campsite and in the camper is plugged in correctly.
- Check if the indicator on the top left of the on-board unit is lit, indicating that an external power source is connected.
- Look for the FI switch which is located in the cupboard between the bathroom and the kitchen and check the levers: (All levers visible here must be switched to the top!)
- Test if everything is working by pressing the test button on this FI switch:
- If the FI switch trips, everything is in order with the power source and the power cable.
- If the FI switch does not trip, 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? :)
Don't forget to switch the FI switch back to its old position.
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.