How to charge your 12V power system (house battery)
This article applies to campervans in America.
Your campervan is equipped with two batteries:
- Engine/main battery - Powers the engine, headlights, window wipers and front cabin accessories e.g radio, heater/AC, cabin lights etc. This battery receives charge from the alternator only.( Some Vehicles are connected to the House battery as well and will be charged by the Solar Panel)
- House/secondary battery (12v system) - powers the living appliances in your van, including living area lights, outdoor light, fridge, water pump and USB plug ins (where applicable).
Please note: your microwave and 120V power points will only work while you are connected to power at a campsite. To read more about how to connect to 120v power, please refer to this article.
Your house battery receives power mainly from charging via the solar panel on the roof of the van. It also receives some power from the vehicle’s alternator (if Equipped) while you are driving.
How do I charge my house battery?
The best way to fully charge your battery is to plug into 120v power at a campsite overnight. If you are charging for the first time, please refer to this article to learn how to connect the van up to a power source. Please plan ahead and book campsites where you can charge your battery, especially during peak seasons, to avoid the inconvenience of a flat battery.
How long should my battery last?
This will largely depend on your usage, and other external factors such as very hot weather. As a general estimate, your battery should last 4-5 days with moderate usage. If your usage is minimal during the day, the solar panel should fully recharge the battery during the day. We recommend you charge the battery at a powered campsite every fourth night at a minimum.
Tips to make your battery last longer
Your fridge is the biggest user of electricity in your van, so setting it at higher levels will drain your battery faster, in hot weather the fridge will have to work harder to keep the temperature, and will use more energy. To optimise your battery charge, turn down the fridge to the lowest setting while you sleep, run it usually at level 3 (unless the weather is hot, when you will have to use a higher setting), do not leave the door open for longer than you need, and do not over fill it.
Be also mindful of how many devices you are charging from the USB ports and try not to leave them connected overnight.
Troubleshooting
If you have recently charged your battery overnight and it lasts less than two days, please contact our customer care team for further assistance. Our contact options can be found at the bottom of this page.
If you are having trouble with your campsite connection or any of your appliances, refer to this section for troubleshooting steps.