Operation Manual

1
12 Motorcaravan - 09-08 - DET-0033-07E
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Electrical system
9
The capacity of a battery is given in ampere hours (Ah). If a battery possesses
a capacity of 80 Ah, then the battery can dispense a current of 1 A for 80 hours
or a current of 2 A for 40 hours.
External influences such as temperature may alter the storage capacity of the
battery.
9.3 12 V power supply
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 V DC. 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.
During heater operation, the circulation fan is switched on and off by a thermo-
stat control. As a result the living area battery is loaded if no 240 V power
supply is connected.
When the vehicle engine is running, the vehicle alternator recharges the living
area battery and the starter battery.
The 12 V power supply can be cut off with the 12 V main switch on the panel.
Depending on the model, the heater, basic light/entrance step and reserve 4
or only the electrical entrance step remain on standby. The refrigerator is then
only operated with 12 V if the vehicle engine is running. This helps to prevent
the living area battery from being run down too quickly.
9.3.1 Living area battery
To disconnect all electrical 12 V appliances from the power supply, discon-
nect the living area battery from the 12 V power supply. Depending on the
model, either press the switch on the transformer/rectifier or activate the
battery separation on the panel to do so.
The radio in the driver's cabin and the independent vehicle heater are by
default connected to the living area battery via a separate fuse. These
appliances will stay operational if the living area battery is disconnected
from the power supply via the battery cut-off switch of the transformer/rec-
tifier or the battery separation on the panel.
Prior to commencing a journey ensure the living area battery is fully
charged. For this reason charge the living area battery for at least 20 hours
before commencing the journey.
During the trip, use every opportunity to charge the living area battery.
Charge the living area battery for at least 20 hours after the journey.
Charge the battery for at least 20 hours before laying up.
Use the charger module provided on the transformer/rectifier to charge the
living area battery. When charging externally, use a regulated charger that
is suitable for the battery type and the capacity of the living area battery.
For long periods of inactivity (4 weeks or more), either disconnect the living
area battery from the 12 V power supply or recharge it regularly.
When the living area battery is changed, only use batteries of the same
type.
When changing the living area battery, use only batteries which meet the
minimum capacity of the charger. Observe the separate instruction manual
for the charger. Lower-capacity batteries will generate a great deal of heat
when they are charged. Danger of explosion!