Wiring Diagram & Tutorial for DIY Van Conversion
US$40.00
Wiring diagram & tutorial for DIY van conversion (Ford Transit, Sprinter, ProMaster), skoolie, trailer, or small RV. With unique tools such as a wire & fuse size calculator, wire length & terminal counter, and the components can be sized to your needs. It doesn’t get any easier than this!
Choose between Standard or High-Power. (Scroll down to find out which one you should choose)
Before downloading this diagram, make sure to read and understand our free guide: Electrical System Design Guide.
What You Get
You get two (2) PDF files to save on your computer (1- Wiring Diagram | 2- Tutorial). The files belong to you, there is no expiration, and you will always have access to future updates via My Account page. Make sure to print your diagram and keep a copy in your van! 🙂 Here is more information:
1- Wiring Diagram
Customize each component to your needs (solar, alternator, shore, inverter, monitor) and the breakers/fuses will be sized automatically.
Wire gauge (AWG) is automatically calculated from selected components and custom wire lengths. No need to use an external calculator!
Customize 12V loads to your needs (image, name, fuse, wire length) and automatically calculate the wire gauge (AWG).
Automatically calculate the total wires length and the quantity of terminals to purchase.
The wiring diagram is part of our design workflow; it doesn’t get any easier than this!
Video Preview:
2- Tutorial
Detailed breakdown on how to use our interactive wiring diagram and how to assemble all items together to build a functional electrical system.
More information about: grounding your system, breaker polarity, components terminal size, limitations, etc.
Choose between the “Standard” and “High-Power” diagram:
Standard
Key Feature:
The inverter and shore power are independent devices. There is no transfer switch to bypass the inverter when plugged into shore power.
More Features:
- BATTERY BANK VOLTAGE: 12V
- BATTERY BANK CAPACITY: 100Ah and up (one or more batteries)
- SOLAR: None or up to 700W
- ALTERNATOR: None or up to 50A
- SHORE: None or up to 80A DC
- AC IN: 15A (normal house outlet)
- INVERTER: None, 1000W, 1500W or 2000W
- TRANSFER SWITCH: None
- 120V AC Distribution Panel: None (loads are connected directly to the inverter)
Choose this diagram if:
- Your build has modest 120V needs (no device above 1,650W).
- You’re mostly off-the-grid (occasionally plug into shore power).
- You’re tracking your budget. Some components (bus bars, cables, switch, fuses,etc.) in this diagram are cheaper (and smaller) because they’re rated for lower current.
- Maybe you don’t need shore power or inverter at all?
Change log:
- V4 REV -A-: Initial Release.
- V4 REV -B-: Wire sizing per ABYC + derating factors (was per ABYC as well, but no derating). See tutorial for calculation details. See our Wire Gauge Calculator for more info on derating factors. || Maxxfan fuse size is 10A (was 5A). || Other minor clarifications.
- V4 REV -C-: 120 amps alternator charger option deleted (because it’s waterproof, manufacturer reported cooling issues with it. Deleting this option until issue is fixed.) || Main ground updated to 2/0 AWG (to conform to ABYC) || Inverter ground same as primary path, was 8AWG (to conform to ABYC).
- V5 REV -A: Victron Orion XS added (instead of BB1260 Sterling Power).
High-Power
Key Feature:
The inverter, shore power, and transfer switch are combined into a single device (Victron Multiplus).
More Features:
- BATTERY BANK VOLTAGE: 12V
- BATTERY BANK CAPACITY: 200Ah and up (two or more batteries)
- SOLAR: None or up to 700W
- ALTERNATOR: None or up to 50A
- SHORE: up to 120A DC
- AC IN: 30A (campground hookup) or 15A (regular house outlet, via adapter)
- INVERTER: 2000W or 3000W
- TRANSFER SWITCH: Yes (automatically bypass inverter when plugged into shore)
- 120V AC Distribution Panel: Yes (each load is protected by an appropriate breaker)
Choose this diagram if:
- Your build includes any high-power device: air conditioning, induction cooktop, electric water heater, electric space heater, etc.
- You frequently plug into shore power (serviced campgrounds).
- You simply prefer an inverter/charger (Victron) instead of a separate inverter & battery charger.
Change log:
- V1 REV -A-: Initial Release.
- V1 REV -B-: In Terminal Calculator, 6 AWG #8 Lug replaced for 6 AWG #10 Lug.
- V1 REV -C-: Bug fix in Wire Calculator (too much black wire length was added).
- V2 REV -A: Victron Orion XS added (instead of BB1260 Sterling Power).
2024 Update: Victron Orion XS
For 2024, Victron released the 50A Orion XS DC-DC battery-to-battery charger. It is a complete redesign of the previous 30A version (non-XS), and it’s better in every way compared to the Sterling: more power, more efficient, smaller dimensions, better heat management (no fan = no noise!).
We now recommend the 50A Victron Orion XS over the Sterling.
The Victron is a drop-in replacement for the Sterling, except you should use 70A breakers instead of the 100A breakers recommended for the Sterling. The Orion XS accepts wires up to 4AWG, which will work for most people with vans.
Victron Orion XS
Don’t Forget…
Enclosure for Blue Sea 285-Series circuit breaker. Neat and SAFE way to mount a breaker to any surface. Isolates the terminals and prevents accidental short circuits:
Perks
What’s in it for you
- Save hundreds of hours of research.
- Skip the “please review my diagram” on discussion forums or Facebook groups.
- Keep a copy at all time in your van so you, or someone else, can refer to it if anything happen.
- With thousands of downloads, it’s safe to say it’s a tried-and-true design! Build your system with confidence.
What’s in it for us
Buying this diagram and using the affiliate links is the best way to say thanks and to help us stay on the road longer! 🙂
What’s in it for all
We give back 10% of the store proceeds:
Hang on! You might want…
The Builder’s Package
Includes All Our Diagrams and Tutorials!
Wiring (Standard & High-Power), Water, Propane, Floor Plan, Transit BEMM & Sprinter BEG.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet