To ensure that all 12V electronic devices work without external power, the camping battery voltage should never fall below 12V (50%).
The lights in the Couple Cottage (Knaus Boxlife 600) only work when the camping battery is charged or when an external power supply is connected.
To use power and light, the on-board computer above the sliding door must be switched on:
The light switches for the interior are located above the kitchenette, below the wall cupboards by the bed in the rear and below the wall cupboards by the rear bench seat.
There are numerous power sockets and USB ports throughout the vehicle:
- 230V sockets can be found under the rear bench seat on the left and above the kitchen.
- USB ports and 12V sockets are in the cockpit (USB Type-C and B), on the touch reading lamps by the bed and the 12V socket above the kitchen also works without an external power connection.
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 light does not work, you can test several things. Go through the troubleshooting below in the article on the camping battery!