Power and utilities

The heart of your camper's electrical system. The Clayton Power LPS II (2kW or 3kW) is your leisure battery and power management system. It stores energy and automatically manages charging and the supply of power around the vehicle. It sits in the furniture module behind the tambour door towards the rear of the vehicle, where you can reach the display and controls.

Not sure how long a charge will last? Try the power estimator.

Everything electrical in the living area runs from the Clayton power unit. It stores energy in its battery, takes charge from solar and from mains hook-up, and supplies both the 12V circuits and the 230V sockets. That is what lets you cook on induction without being plugged in.

The four things you will use every day.

Lighting · 12VCooking · 230VFridge · 12VHeating · 12V

Lighting · 12V

On and off

Quick-press the dimmer switch to turn the lights on or off.

Dimmer

Hold the switch down to dim or brighten.

Touchscreen

If fitted, the Master Light Switch on the touchscreen turns all lights off. Press the dimmer switch to turn them back on.

Cooking · 230V

1. Press the power button, then Function.
2. Place an induction-compatible pan on the hob.
3. Use ▲ and ▼ to select the power level, from 1 to 8. 8 is the hottest.
4. Press Play/Pause to pause cooking if you need to.

Fridge · 12V

1. Hold down the power button to turn the fridge on or off.
2. Press the temperature button to change the temperature.

Heating · 12V

1. Press the button. It turns green.
2. Turn the dial to select your temperature.
3. Press the dial to confirm.
4. Press the button again to switch off. It turns white.

More detail in the heater guide.

If something on the 12V side stops working, such as the lights, fridge, USB sockets or heater fan, a blown fuse is the most likely cause.

1. Check the 12V is switched on at the Clayton unit and that the battery is not low.
2. Open the cupboard directly underneath the Clayton. The fuse box is on the wall inside.
3. Look for a red light. If a fuse is faulty, the light beside it comes on, so you can see straight away which one it is.
4. Swap that fuse for a new one of the same rating. The number is printed on the fuse.

If your vehicle's starter battery has gone flat, the Clayton power unit can give it a temporary charge to help start the engine.

1. Turn the vehicle ignition on, but do not start the engine.
2. On the Clayton display, go to Main Menu → DC Charging → Jump Start.
3. Select Active and press OK. If you have the optional remote, simply press the Jump Start button.
4. The unit charges the starter battery for about 5 minutes. On the remote, the light flashes green while it is working.
5. When the charging cycle has finished, start the vehicle as normal.

Jump Start only works if the Clayton unit has enough charge. If the vehicle does not start after one cycle, let the unit recover for a few minutes before trying again. If the problem persists, the starter battery or vehicle may need attention.

A little regular care will keep your systems reliable for years to come.

HeaterClayton unitSolarAppliances

Heater

Monthly

Run the heater for at least 15 to 20 minutes to prevent carbon build-up.

Regularly

Make sure the air inlet and outlet are clear and not obstructed.

Inspect

Check the fuel filter and clean or replace it if necessary. Check the exhaust for blockages, cracks or corrosion.

Webasto Air Top 2000. See the heater guide for the control and fault codes.

Clayton unit

Monthly

Fully recharge the unit to 100% to keep it happy.

Long-term storage

Make sure the unit gets a full charge at least every 6 months when the vehicle is stationary or not in use.

When not in use

Switch off the 12V and 230V outputs, and the breaker switch when appropriate, to minimise unnecessary consumption.

Regularly

Check the battery terminals for corrosion and make sure connections are tight and secure.

Solar

Keep it clean

Remove dirt, leaves and bird droppings for maximum efficiency. Avoid abrasive cleaners.

Inspect

Check from time to time for any signs of damage.

No switch required

Solar charging is automatic whenever there is enough sunlight.

Park in the sun

Park your camper in direct sunlight. If it is stored out of the sun, connect to mains hook-up every few weeks to keep the Clayton unit charged.

Appliances

Keep clean

Wipe down the hob and the inside of the fridge regularly.

Ventilation

Make sure ventilation openings are not blocked.

35 litre top-loading fridge and Sterling Power induction hob. Refer to the manufacturers' manuals for the fridge, hob and alarm.

The Clayton LPS II is a lithium battery, inverter and charger in one box. You control it from two buttons, on the unit itself and on the remote panel. Try the power estimator to see how long yours will last.

1. 12V button. Press to switch on the 12V circuits: lights, fridge, water pump, heater and USB sockets. A steady green light means it is on.
2. 230V button. Press to switch on the mains sockets and the induction hob. A steady green light means it is on.
3. Read the battery level. The row of five lights shows how full the battery is. The display also shows when the unit is charging, and from which source.
4. Charging. It charges by itself from the engine while you drive, from the solar panel if fitted, and from mains when you are on hook-up. There is nothing to switch over.
5. Switch 230V off when you are done. If nothing is drawing power, 230V turns itself off after 60 minutes to save the battery. Press the button to bring it back.

• Sockets dead? Check the 230V button is lit green. It may have timed out.
• Lights and fridge off? Check the 12V button is lit green.
• Still nothing? Check the battery level, then check whether the circuit breaker (RCD) has tripped and reset it.
• Going away for more than a few days? Switch off both 12V and 230V.
• If you need to call us about a fault, note any error shown and the serial number on the unit.

LPS II 2000 (standard): 1,050 Wh usable, 2,000 W output with surges to 4,000 W. LPS II 3000 (upgrade): 1,900 Wh usable, 3,000 W output with surges to 5,000 W. Clayton rates the full output for up to 10 minutes at a time, with 1,500 W and 2,300 W available continuously.

Your fridge is a Vitrifrigo TL 35: a 35 litre top-loading compressor fridge that runs from the 12V system. It draws about 28 W while the compressor is running, and the compressor cycles on and off to hold the temperature.

• The 12V button on the Clayton unit must be on for the fridge to run.
• Switch the fridge on a few hours before you load it, and load it with food that is already cold where you can.
• Use a middle setting for everyday use. Turn it colder in hot weather or when the fridge is full.
• Keep the lid closed as much as possible. Cold air stays in a top-loader well, but every opening costs power.
• Leave space around the vents so the compressor can get rid of its heat.
• When the van is stored, switch the fridge off, wipe it dry and leave the lid propped open so it stays fresh.

If the fridge stops and a light on the control flashes, count the flashes between pauses. On Vitrifrigo's compressor electronics, 1 flash means the battery voltage is too low (charge the battery), 2 a fan fault, 3 the compressor could not start, 4 the compressor is overloaded and 5 the electronics have overheated (check the vents are clear and let it cool). For anything other than a low battery, get in touch.

• The 230V hook-up point is underneath the right-hand side at the rear of the van.
• Use it in place of solar, or when you are parked up at a campsite for a while.
• Always unwind the cable fully, even if the hook-up post is right next to the van. A coiled cable can overheat.