Operation Manual

Electrical system
9
89Caravan - 14-09 - EN
When the vehicle is not connected to the 240 V power supply or the 240 V power
supply is switched off, the living area battery supplies the living area with 12 VDC.
The living area battery has a limited power supply only. For this reason, electrical
appliances such as the radio and the lights should not be operated for a long time
without using the 240 V power supply.
If the vehicle is connected to the 240 V power supply, the living area battery is auto-
matically recharged by the charger installed in the transformer/rectifier (Autark
Package).
Discharging The living area battery is discharged by the closed circuit current which some elec-
trical appliances continuously require. Appliances such as the charger, solar charge
regulator, panel etc. consume approx. 20 mA to 65 mA of electricity from the bat-
tery capacity, even when the 12 V main switch is turned off.
At lower outdoor temperatures the battery loses its capacity.
The self-discharge rate of the battery is also dependant on temperature.
At 20 to 25 °C the self-discharge rate amounts to approx. 3% of the capacity per
month. The self-discharge rate will increase with rising temperatures: At 35 °C the
self-discharge rate amounts to approx. 20% of the capacity per month.
An older battery no longer has the complete capacity available.
The higher the number of active electrical appliances, the faster the energy of the
living area battery is consumed.
In order to prevent fast discharge of the living area battery, the refrigerator is oper-
ated on 12 V power supply only when the engine is running and when there is an
electrical connection between the towing vehicle and caravan.
Z When the living area battery is disconnected and the caravan and the towing
vehicle are connected electrically, do not use the ignition of the towing vehicle.
Danger of short circuit!
Z Take note of the battery manufacturer's users and maintenance instructions.
Z The battery is maintenance-free. Maintenance-free means:
It is not necessary to check the acid level.
It is not necessary to lubricate the battery poles.
It is not necessary to refill the distilled water.
Even a maintenance-free battery must be charged regularly.
Z Total discharge damages the battery.
Z Recharge the battery in good time.
Z Further information can be obtained in the separate documents of the living
area battery.