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hi all, we've just bought a 2nd hand Compass Drifter 460 on a boxer chassis and could do with some general advice. We've looked at the manuals but are now more confused than ever. can someone please explain in plain english the electrics control panel, esp how to use the charging.

How do we set it up for when its parked on the drive between trips? It is plugged into the mains, we assume that should we be setting it to 'car' to charge the car battery so as not to drain the vehicle starting battery?  is this correct?

We know that we should we put it to 'van' when we are at a site (presumeably to charge the leisure batteries) - why then doesn't the car battery drain when you are parked up at a site? This is probably a basic question but it ahs us confused -Please help?

Hi and welcome to the forum. The rocker switch should have 3 settings which is car, van and neutral and like you said it has to be set on van when on site. You only set it to car when you have the engine running as the leisure battery receives a charge direct from the vehicle alternator whilst in transit. Whilst it is on a 240 volts supply the switch is best set to neutral which is the central position. If you have the switch on car and you disconnect the battery leads it may cause a spark and blow a fuse so you are best just to have the charge feed from the domestic electric supply only.