Our autonomy and comfort depend a lot on the electrical system of our DIY camper van conversion. No power means no fridge, no lights, no smartphone = no Instagram = no #vanlife as we know it 😛 Therefore, we want our electrical system to be safe, reliable and to work from the first time; trial-and-error is not acceptable here.
After three years on the road full time, we’re happy to report that our system works as we planned, nice! Designing the electrical system was one of the most intimidating task of the conversion process and if you’re reading this, you are probably looking for some guidance...
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click a product link and buy anything from the merchant (Amazon, eBay, etc.) we will receive a commission fee. The price you pay remains the same, affiliate link or not.
1- Campervan Electrical System in a Nutshell
1.1- Overview
In its simplest form, a campervan electrical system isn’t really complicated. It includes a battery bank, loads and charge sources:
Modern “off-the-grid” vans normally charge with solar power, alternator, shore power and can power 12V DC & 120V AC loads:
Makes sense so far, doesn’t it? Here is how all components work together to make a typical electrical system:
1.2- Diagrams & Items List
- Hover your cursor / click on each component to learn more!
Standard
Optimized for off-the-grid / energy efficiency
- The inverter and shore power are provided by two separate devices. No transfer switch to bypass the inverter when plugged to shore power.
Features:
- BATTERY BANK: 100Ah and up (one or more batteries)
- SOLAR: None or up to 700W
- ALTERNATOR: None or up to 60A
- 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?
MAIN
| # | Item | Description | Quantity | View on Amazon |
| 1 | Terminal Fuse Block with Fuse 250A | Blue Sea (Catastrophic Fail Safe. Connects directly to battery post.) | 1 | View |
| 2 | System Switch | Blue Sea (Main System Switch) | 1 | View |
| 3 | Bus Bar (250A, 4 studs) | Blue Sea | 2 | View |
| 4 | Cover for Bus Bar (for 250A 4 studs) | Protect the Bus Bar | 2 | View |
| 5 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Fuse Block and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 6 | Fuse Block (12 circuits) | Blue Sea (12V Distribution Panel) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Fuses Kit | Assorted Fuses (2A 3A 5A 7.5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A 35A) | 1 | View |
| 8 | Battery Monitor | Victron BMV-712 with BlueTooth | 1 | View |
| 9 | Cable, 2/0 AWG, 5 ft Red | Between battery and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 10 | Cable, 2/0 AWG, 15 ft Black | Between battery and Bus Bar + Ground | 1 | View |
| 12 | Lugs, 2/0 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar, Terminal Fuse Block and Battery (Pack of 5) | 1 | View |
| 11 | Lugs, 2/0 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to System Switch and Shunt (Pack of 5) | 1 | View |
| 13 | Cable, 8 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | Between Bus Bar and Fuse Block | 1 | View |
| 14 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, #10 Ring | Connect to Fuse Block (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 15 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breaker (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 16 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Battery
Solar
| 1 | 350W Solar | NewPowa 175W Mono Panel | 2 | View |
| 2 | Extension Cables, 8 AWG, 15 ft Red + 15 ft Black | With MC4 Connectors | 1 | View |
| 3 | Double Cable Entry Gland | For 8 AWG or 10 AWG Cable | 1 | View |
| 4 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Panels and MPPT Charger | 1 | View |
| 5 | MPPT Solar Charger | Victron 100|30 SmartSolar MPPT | 1 | View |
| 6 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between MPPT Charger & Battery | 1 | View |
| 7 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breakers (Pack of 3) | 2 | View |
| 8 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Alternator
| 1 | 60A Battery-to-Battery Charger (B2B) | Sterling Power BB1260 | 1 | View |
| 2 | 100A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Blue Sea 285-Series | 2 | View |
| 3 | Cable, 4 AWG, 15ft Red | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 4 | Cable, 4 AWG, 5 ft Black | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 5 | Lugs, 4 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breakers (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
| 6 | Lugs, 4 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 2) | 1 | View |
Shore
| 1 | 50A Charger | Samlex SEC-1250UL 12V | 1 | View |
| 2 | 60A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Charger and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 3 | Cable, 8 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 4 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breaker (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 5 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Inverter
| 1 | 1000W Inverter | Samlex PST-1000-12 PST Pure Sine | 1 | View |
| 2 | Remote Control for Inverter | Samlex RC-15A for 600W/1000W Inverter | 1 | View |
| 3 | Terminal Fuse Block with Fuse 175A | Blue Sea (Connects directly on the Bus Bar. To protect inverter’s cable.) | 1 | View |
| 4 | Cable, 2 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 5 | Lugs, 2 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Terminal Fuse Block and Bus Bar (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
Optional Items
Hardware
| 1 | 8 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (8/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 2 | 10 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (10/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 3 | 12 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (12/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 4 | 14 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (14/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 5 | 16 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (16/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 6 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, #10 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 10-12 AWG Cable, #8 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 8 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 14-16 AWG Cable, #8 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 9 | Heat Shrink Butt Connector, Ancor Marine | To connect to Loads (75 Pack Kit) | 1 | View |
| 10 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 10-12 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Female | To connect to certain loads (i.e. 12V Sockets) , to make “removable” connections (i.e. Fridge, LEDs) and to connect cable of different gauge together (i.e. LED Dimmer) (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 11 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 10-12 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 12 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 14-16 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Female | 1 | View | |
| 13 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 14-16 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 14 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 18-22 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 15 | 3M Scotchlok Quick Splice with Gel (14 AWG stranded) | We used that to parallel our LED lights (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 16 | Heat Shrink Tubing Kit (with adhesive) | To protect lug after crimping | 1 | View |
| 17 | Split Loom Tubing, 3/8″ diameter 25 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 18 | Split Loom Tubing, 1/2″ diameter 25 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 19 | Split Loom Tubing, 3/4″ diameter 10 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 20 | Nylon Cable Clamps Kit | To secure cable/split-loom to wood | 1 | View |
| 21 | Zip Tie Mount with Adhesive | To secure cable/split-loom to metal | 1 | View |
| 22 | Nylon Zip Ties Kit | To secure cable/split-loom | 1 | View |
| 23 | Rubber Grommet Kit | To protect wire from sharp edge (going through metal hole) | 1 | View |
12V Loads
| 1 | Maxxair 6200K Roof Fan | Fan Installation | 1 | Amazon |
| 2 | LED Ceiling Lights (Dimmable) | 3 | Amazon | |
| 3 | PWM Dimmer for LED Lights, 12V, Slider | 1 | Amazon | |
| 4 | Blue Sea 12V Socket | Electrical System Guide | 4 | Amazon |
| 5 | Shurflo Revolution Water Pump, 3 GPM | 1 | Amazon | |
| 6 | ON/OFF Switch for Water Pump | 1 | Amazon | |
| 7 | Webasto Air Top 2000 STC Gasoline Heater | Webasto Installation | 1 | eBay |
| 8 | Propex HS2000 Propane Heater | Propex Installation | 1 | Dealers |
| 9 | Novakool R5810 Fridge, 12V only | Fridge Guide | 1 | Campervan-HQ |
| 10 | Sirocco ii Gimbal Fan, 12V | Sirocco ii Installation / Review | 1 | Amazon |
| 11 | Nature’s Head Composting Toilet | Toilet Installation | 1 | Amazon |
| 12 | Propane Solenoid Shutoff Valve | 1 | Amazon | |
| 13 | ON/OFF Switch for Propane Solenoid | 1 | Amazon |
High-Power
Optimized for high-power devices (induction cooktop, microwave, etc)
- The inverter, shore power and transfer switch are combined into a single device (Victron Multiplus).
Features:
- BATTERY BANK: 200Ah and up (two or more batteries)
- SOLAR: None or up to 700W
- ALTERNATOR: None or up to 60A
- SHORE: up to 120A DC
- AC IN: 30A (campground hookup) or 15A (normal 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.
MAIN
| # | Item | Description | Quantity | View on Amazon |
| 1 | Class T Fuse, 400A | Blue Sea (Catastrophic Fail Safe) | 1 | View |
| 2 | Class T Fuse Block | Blue Sea (Holds the Class T Fuse) | 1 | View |
| 3 | System Switch | Blue Sea (Main System Switch) | 1 | View |
| 4 | Bus Bar (600A, 4 studs) | Blue Sea | 2 | View |
| 5 | Cover for Bus Bar (for 600A 4 studs) | Protect the Bus Bar | 2 | View |
| 6 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Fuse Block and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 7 | Fuse Block (12 circuits) | Blue Sea (12V Distribution Panel) | 1 | View |
| 8 | Fuses Kit | Assorted Fuses (2A 3A 5A 7.5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A 35A) | 1 | View |
| 9 | Battery Monitor | Victron BMV-712 with BlueTooth | 1 | View |
| 10 | Cable, 4/0 AWG, 5 ft Red | Between battery and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 11 | Cable, 4/0 AWG, 15 ft Black | Between battery and Bus Bar + Ground | 1 | View |
| 13 | Lugs, 4/0 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar, Terminal Fuse Block and Battery (Pack of 2) | 1 | View |
| 12 | Lugs, 4/0 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to System Switch and Shunt (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
| 14 | Cable, 8 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | Between Bus Bar and Fuse Block | 1 | View |
| 15 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, #10 Ring | Connect to Fuse Block (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 16 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breaker (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 17 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Battery
Solar
| 1 | 350W Solar | NewPowa 175W Mono Panel | 2 | View |
| 2 | Extension Cables, 8 AWG, 15 ft Red + 15 ft Black | With MC4 Connectors | 1 | View |
| 3 | Double Cable Entry Gland | For 8 AWG or 10 AWG Cable | 1 | View |
| 4 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Panels and MPPT Charger | 1 | View |
| 5 | MPPT Solar Charger | Victron 100|30 SmartSolar MPPT | 1 | View |
| 6 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between MPPT Charger & Battery | 1 | View |
| 8 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breakers (Pack of 3) | 2 | View |
| 7 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Alternator
| 1 | 60A Battery-to-Battery Charger (B2B) | Sterling Power BB1260 | 1 | View |
| 2 | 100A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Blue Sea 285-Series | 2 | View |
| 3 | Cable, 4 AWG, 15ft Red | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 4 | Cable, 4 AWG, 5 ft Black | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 6 | Lugs, 4 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breakers (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
| 5 | Lugs, 4 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 2) | 1 | View |
Inverter/Charger
| 1 | 3000W Inverter/Charger | Victron Multiplus 12|3000|120 | 1 | View |
| 2 | Remote Control for Inverter | Victron Digital Multi Control 200/200A GX | 1 | View |
| 3 | Class T Fuse, 400A | Blue Sea (To protect inverter’s cable) | 1 | View |
| 4 | Class T Fuse Block | Blue Sea (Holds the Class T Fuse) | 1 | View |
| 5 | Cable, 4/0 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | Between Inverter/Charger & Bus Bars | View | |
| 6 | Lugs, 4/0 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Inverter/Charger (Pack of 5) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Lugs, 4/0 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 5) | 1 | View |
| 8 | 30A Shore Inlet | Furrion 30A Marine Power Smart Inlet | 1 | View |
| 9 | 30A AC Main | Breaker Between Power Inlet and Inverter/Charger | 1 | View |
| 11 | 10/3 AWG Triplex AC Marine Wire | Between power inlet & inverter/charger | 1 | View |
| 12 | Lugs, 10 AWG Cable, #8 | Connect to AC Main (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 13 | Lugs, 10 AWG Cable, #10 | Connect to AC Main (Pack of 3) | 2 | View |
| 14 | 120V AC Distribution Panel (4 Positions*) | Blue Sea Panel: AC Main + 4 Positions* | 1 | View |
| 15 | 6/3 AWG Triplex AC Marine Wire | Between inverter/charger & AC distribution panel | 1 | View |
| 16 | Lugs, 6 AWG Cable, #10 | Connect to distribution panel (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
| 17 | 120V AC Wall Outlet | GFCI, 20A | 1 | View |
| 18 | 14/3 AWG Triplex AC Marine Wire | To wire load that requires 15A or 10A breaker | 1 | View |
| 19 | Lugs, 14 AWG Cable, #8 | Connect to distribution panel (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 20 | Lugs, 14 AWG Cable, #10 | Connect to distribution panel (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Optional Items
| 1 | 50A Breaker (Double-Pole) | To upgrade 120V AC distribution panel to 50A instead of 30A | View | |
| 2 | 20A Breaker | For load that requires 20A breaker (e.g. A/C) | View | |
| 3 | 10A Breaker | For load that requires 10A breaker | View | |
| 4 | 120V AC Distribution Panel (6 Positions*) | *6 Positions panel is sometimes cheaper, check it! | View | |
| 5 | 12/3 AWG Triplex AC Marine Wire | To wire load that requires 20A breaker (e.g. A/C) | View | |
| 6 | Lugs, 12 AWG Cable, #8 | Connect to AC Main (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Lugs, 12 AWG Cable, #10 | Connect to AC Main (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Hardware
| 1 | 8 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (8/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 2 | 10 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (10/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 3 | 12 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (12/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 4 | 14 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (14/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 5 | 16 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (16/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 6 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, #10 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 10-12 AWG Cable, #8 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 8 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 14-16 AWG Cable, #8 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 9 | Heat Shrink Butt Connector, Ancor Marine | To connect to Loads (75 Pack Kit) | 1 | View |
| 10 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 10-12 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Female | To connect to certain loads (i.e. 12V Sockets) , to make “removable” connections (i.e. Fridge, LEDs) and to connect cable of different gauge together (i.e. LED Dimmer) (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 11 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 10-12 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 12 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 14-16 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Female | 1 | View | |
| 13 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 14-16 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 14 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 18-22 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 15 | 3M Scotchlok Quick Splice with Gel (14 AWG stranded) | We used that to parallel our LED lights (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 16 | Heat Shrink Tubing Kit (with adhesive) | To protect lug after crimping | 1 | View |
| 17 | Split Loom Tubing, 3/8″ diameter 25 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 18 | Split Loom Tubing, 1/2″ diameter 25 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 19 | Split Loom Tubing, 3/4″ diameter 10 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 20 | Nylon Cable Clamps Kit | To secure cable/split-loom to wood | 1 | View |
| 21 | Zip Tie Mount with Adhesive | To secure cable/split-loom to metal | 1 | View |
| 22 | Nylon Zip Ties Kit | To secure cable/split-loom | 1 | View |
| 23 | Rubber Grommet Kit | To protect wire from sharp edge (going through metal hole) | 1 | View |
12V Loads
| 1 | Maxxair 6200K Roof Fan | Fan Installation | 1 | Amazon |
| 2 | LED Ceiling Lights (Dimmable) | 3 | Amazon | |
| 3 | PWM Dimmer for LED Lights, 12V, Slider | 1 | Amazon | |
| 4 | Blue Sea 12V Socket | Electrical System Guide | 4 | Amazon |
| 5 | Shurflo Revolution Water Pump, 3 GPM | 1 | Amazon | |
| 6 | ON/OFF Switch for Water Pump | 1 | Amazon | |
| 7 | Webasto Air Top 2000 STC Gasoline Heater | Webasto Installation | 1 | eBay |
| 8 | Propex HS2000 Propane Heater | Propex Installation | 1 | Dealers |
| 9 | Novakool R5810 Fridge, 12V only | Fridge Guide | 1 | Campervan-HQ |
| 10 | Sirocco ii Gimbal Fan, 12V | Sirocco ii Installation / Review | 1 | Amazon |
| 11 | Nature’s Head Composting Toilet | Toilet Installation | 1 | Amazon |
| 12 | Propane Solenoid Shutoff Valve | 1 | Amazon | |
| 13 | ON/OFF Switch for Propane Solenoid | 1 | Amazon |
| Optimized for Off-the-grid / Energy Efficiency | |
| Optimized for High-Power Devices (Induction Cooktop, Microwave, etc) |
- Tap on each component to learn more!
- The inverter and shore power are provided by two separate devices. No transfer switch to bypass the inverter when plugged to shore power.
Features:
- BATTERY BANK: 100Ah and up (one or more batteries)
- SOLAR: None or up to 700W
- ALTERNATOR: None or up to 60A
- 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?
MAIN
| # | Item | Description | Quantity | View on Amazon |
| 1 | Terminal Fuse Block with Fuse 250A | Blue Sea (Catastrophic Fail Safe. Connects directly to battery post.) | 1 | View |
| 2 | System Switch | Blue Sea (Main System Switch) | 1 | View |
| 3 | Bus Bar (250A, 4 studs) | Blue Sea | 2 | View |
| 4 | Cover for Bus Bar (for 250A 4 studs) | Protect the Bus Bar | 2 | View |
| 5 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Fuse Block and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 6 | Fuse Block (12 circuits) | Blue Sea (12V Distribution Panel) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Fuses Kit | Assorted Fuses (2A 3A 5A 7.5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A 35A) | 1 | View |
| 8 | Battery Monitor | Victron BMV-712 with BlueTooth | 1 | View |
| 9 | Cable, 2/0 AWG, 5 ft Red | Between battery and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 10 | Cable, 2/0 AWG, 15 ft Black | Between battery and Bus Bar + Ground | 1 | View |
| 12 | Lugs, 2/0 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar, Terminal Fuse Block and Battery (Pack of 5) | 1 | View |
| 11 | Lugs, 2/0 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to System Switch and Shunt (Pack of 5) | 1 | View |
| 13 | Cable, 8 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | Between Bus Bar and Fuse Block | 1 | View |
| 14 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, #10 Ring | Connect to Fuse Block (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 15 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breaker (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 16 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Battery
Solar
| 1 | 350W Solar | NewPowa 175W Mono Panel | 2 | View |
| 2 | Extension Cables, 8 AWG, 15 ft Red + 15 ft Black | With MC4 Connectors | 1 | View |
| 3 | Double Cable Entry Gland | For 8 AWG or 10 AWG Cable | 1 | View |
| 4 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Panels and MPPT Charger | 1 | View |
| 5 | MPPT Solar Charger | Victron 100|30 SmartSolar MPPT | 1 | View |
| 6 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between MPPT Charger & Battery | 1 | View |
| 7 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breakers (Pack of 3) | 2 | View |
| 8 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Alternator
| 1 | 60A Battery-to-Battery Charger (B2B) | Sterling Power BB1260 | 1 | View |
| 2 | 100A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Blue Sea 285-Series | 2 | View |
| 3 | Cable, 4 AWG, 15ft Red | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 4 | Cable, 4 AWG, 5 ft Black | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 5 | Lugs, 4 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breakers (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
| 6 | Lugs, 4 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 2) | 1 | View |
Shore
| 1 | 50A Charger | Samlex SEC-1250UL 12V | 1 | View |
| 2 | 60A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Charger and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 3 | Cable, 8 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 4 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breaker (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 5 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Inverter
| 1 | 1000W Inverter | Samlex PST-1000-12 PST Pure Sine | 1 | View |
| 2 | Remote Control for Inverter | Samlex RC-15A for 600W/1000W Inverter | 1 | View |
| 3 | Terminal Fuse Block with Fuse 175A | Blue Sea (Connects directly on the Bus Bar. To protect inverter’s cable.) | 1 | View |
| 4 | Cable, 2 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 5 | Lugs, 2 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Terminal Fuse Block and Bus Bar (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
Optional Items
Hardware
| 1 | 8 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (8/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 2 | 10 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (10/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 3 | 12 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (12/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 4 | 14 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (14/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 5 | 16 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (16/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 6 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, #10 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 10-12 AWG Cable, #8 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 8 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 14-16 AWG Cable, #8 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 9 | Heat Shrink Butt Connector, Ancor Marine | To connect to Loads (75 Pack Kit) | 1 | View |
| 10 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 10-12 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Female | To connect to certain loads (i.e. 12V Sockets) , to make “removable” connections (i.e. Fridge, LEDs) and to connect cable of different gauge together (i.e. LED Dimmer) (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 11 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 10-12 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 12 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 14-16 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Female | 1 | View | |
| 13 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 14-16 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 14 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 18-22 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 15 | 3M Scotchlok Quick Splice with Gel (14 AWG stranded) | We used that to parallel our LED lights (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 16 | Heat Shrink Tubing Kit (with adhesive) | To protect lug after crimping | 1 | View |
| 17 | Split Loom Tubing, 3/8″ diameter 25 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 18 | Split Loom Tubing, 1/2″ diameter 25 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 19 | Split Loom Tubing, 3/4″ diameter 10 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 20 | Nylon Cable Clamps Kit | To secure cable/split-loom to wood | 1 | View |
| 21 | Zip Tie Mount with Adhesive | To secure cable/split-loom to metal | 1 | View |
| 22 | Nylon Zip Ties Kit | To secure cable/split-loom | 1 | View |
| 23 | Rubber Grommet Kit | To protect wire from sharp edge (going through metal hole) | 1 | View |
12V Loads
| 1 | Maxxair 6200K Roof Fan | Fan Installation | 1 | Amazon |
| 2 | LED Ceiling Lights (Dimmable) | 3 | Amazon | |
| 3 | PWM Dimmer for LED Lights, 12V, Slider | 1 | Amazon | |
| 4 | Blue Sea 12V Socket | Electrical System Guide | 4 | Amazon |
| 5 | Shurflo Revolution Water Pump, 3 GPM | 1 | Amazon | |
| 6 | ON/OFF Switch for Water Pump | 1 | Amazon | |
| 7 | Webasto Air Top 2000 STC Gasoline Heater | Webasto Installation | 1 | eBay |
| 8 | Propex HS2000 Propane Heater | Propex Installation | 1 | Dealers |
| 9 | Novakool R5810 Fridge, 12V only | Fridge Guide | 1 | Campervan-HQ |
| 10 | Sirocco ii Gimbal Fan, 12V | Sirocco ii Installation / Review | 1 | Amazon |
| 11 | Nature’s Head Composting Toilet | Toilet Installation | 1 | Amazon |
| 12 | Propane Solenoid Shutoff Valve | 1 | Amazon | |
| 13 | ON/OFF Switch for Propane Solenoid | 1 | Amazon |
- The inverter, shore power and transfer switch are combined into a single device (Victron Multiplus).
Features:
- BATTERY BANK: 200Ah and up (two or more batteries)
- SOLAR: None or up to 700W
- ALTERNATOR: None or up to 60A
- SHORE: up to 120A DC
- AC IN: 30A (campground hookup) or 15A (normal 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.
MAIN
| # | Item | Description | Quantity | View on Amazon |
| 1 | Class T Fuse, 400A | Blue Sea (Catastrophic Fail Safe) | 1 | View |
| 2 | Class T Fuse Block | Blue Sea (Holds the Class T Fuse) | 1 | View |
| 3 | System Switch | Blue Sea (Main System Switch) | 1 | View |
| 4 | Bus Bar (600A, 4 studs) | Blue Sea | 2 | View |
| 5 | Cover for Bus Bar (for 600A 4 studs) | Protect the Bus Bar | 2 | View |
| 6 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Fuse Block and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 7 | Fuse Block (12 circuits) | Blue Sea (12V Distribution Panel) | 1 | View |
| 8 | Fuses Kit | Assorted Fuses (2A 3A 5A 7.5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A 35A) | 1 | View |
| 9 | Battery Monitor | Victron BMV-712 with BlueTooth | 1 | View |
| 10 | Cable, 4/0 AWG, 5 ft Red | Between battery and Bus Bar | 1 | View |
| 11 | Cable, 4/0 AWG, 15 ft Black | Between battery and Bus Bar + Ground | 1 | View |
| 13 | Lugs, 4/0 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar, Terminal Fuse Block and Battery (Pack of 2) | 1 | View |
| 12 | Lugs, 4/0 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to System Switch and Shunt (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
| 14 | Cable, 8 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | Between Bus Bar and Fuse Block | 1 | View |
| 15 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, #10 Ring | Connect to Fuse Block (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 16 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breaker (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 17 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Battery
Solar
| 1 | 350W Solar | NewPowa 175W Mono Panel | 2 | View |
| 2 | Extension Cables, 8 AWG, 15 ft Red + 15 ft Black | With MC4 Connectors | 1 | View |
| 3 | Double Cable Entry Gland | For 8 AWG or 10 AWG Cable | 1 | View |
| 4 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between Panels and MPPT Charger | 1 | View |
| 5 | MPPT Solar Charger | Victron 100|30 SmartSolar MPPT | 1 | View |
| 6 | 40A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Between MPPT Charger & Battery | 1 | View |
| 8 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breakers (Pack of 3) | 2 | View |
| 7 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Alternator
| 1 | 60A Battery-to-Battery Charger (B2B) | Sterling Power BB1260 | 1 | View |
| 2 | 100A Breaker/Switch, Surface Mount | Blue Sea 285-Series | 2 | View |
| 3 | Cable, 4 AWG, 15ft Red | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 4 | Cable, 4 AWG, 5 ft Black | WindyNation | 1 | View |
| 6 | Lugs, 4 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Ring | Connect to Breakers (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
| 5 | Lugs, 4 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 2) | 1 | View |
Inverter/Charger
| 1 | 3000W Inverter/Charger | Victron Multiplus 12|3000|120 | 1 | View |
| 2 | Remote Control for Inverter | Victron Digital Multi Control 200/200A GX | 1 | View |
| 3 | Class T Fuse, 400A | Blue Sea (To protect inverter’s cable) | 1 | View |
| 4 | Class T Fuse Block | Blue Sea (Holds the Class T Fuse) | 1 | View |
| 5 | Cable, 4/0 AWG, 5 ft Black + 5 ft Red | Between Inverter/Charger & Bus Bars | View | |
| 6 | Lugs, 4/0 AWG Cable, 5/16″ Ring | Connect to Inverter/Charger (Pack of 5) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Lugs, 4/0 AWG Cable, 3/8″ Ring | Connect to Bus Bar (Pack of 5) | 1 | View |
| 8 | 30A Shore Inlet | Furrion 30A Marine Power Smart Inlet | 1 | View |
| 9 | 30A AC Main | Breaker Between Power Inlet and Inverter/Charger | 1 | View |
| 11 | 10/3 AWG Triplex AC Marine Wire | Between power inlet & inverter/charger | 1 | View |
| 12 | Lugs, 10 AWG Cable, #8 | Connect to AC Main (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 13 | Lugs, 10 AWG Cable, #10 | Connect to AC Main (Pack of 3) | 2 | View |
| 14 | 120V AC Distribution Panel (4 Positions*) | Blue Sea Panel: AC Main + 4 Positions* | 1 | View |
| 15 | 6/3 AWG Triplex AC Marine Wire | Between inverter/charger & AC distribution panel | 1 | View |
| 16 | Lugs, 6 AWG Cable, #10 | Connect to distribution panel (Pack of 10) | 1 | View |
| 17 | 120V AC Wall Outlet | GFCI, 20A | 1 | View |
| 18 | 14/3 AWG Triplex AC Marine Wire | To wire load that requires 15A or 10A breaker | 1 | View |
| 19 | Lugs, 14 AWG Cable, #8 | Connect to distribution panel (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 20 | Lugs, 14 AWG Cable, #10 | Connect to distribution panel (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Optional Items
| 1 | 50A Breaker (Double-Pole) | To upgrade 120V AC distribution panel to 50A instead of 30A | View | |
| 2 | 20A Breaker | For load that requires 20A breaker (e.g. A/C) | View | |
| 3 | 10A Breaker | For load that requires 10A breaker | View | |
| 4 | 120V AC Distribution Panel (6 Positions*) | *6 Positions panel is sometimes cheaper, check it! | View | |
| 5 | 12/3 AWG Triplex AC Marine Wire | To wire load that requires 20A breaker (e.g. A/C) | View | |
| 6 | Lugs, 12 AWG Cable, #8 | Connect to AC Main (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Lugs, 12 AWG Cable, #10 | Connect to AC Main (Pack of 3) | 1 | View |
Hardware
| 1 | 8 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (8/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 2 | 10 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (10/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 3 | 12 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (12/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 4 | 14 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (14/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 5 | 16 AWG Black/Red Duplex Cable (16/2), Ancor Marine Grade | 100 feet | 1 | View |
| 6 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 8 AWG Cable, #10 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 7 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 10-12 AWG Cable, #8 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 8 | Heat Shrink Terminal Ring, 14-16 AWG Cable, #8 Ring | To connect to Fuse Block (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 9 | Heat Shrink Butt Connector, Ancor Marine | To connect to Loads (75 Pack Kit) | 1 | View |
| 10 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 10-12 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Female | To connect to certain loads (i.e. 12V Sockets) , to make “removable” connections (i.e. Fridge, LEDs) and to connect cable of different gauge together (i.e. LED Dimmer) (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 11 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 10-12 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 12 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 14-16 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Female | 1 | View | |
| 13 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 14-16 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 14 | Heat Shrink Disconnect, 18-22 AWG Cable, 1/4″ Tab, Male | 1 | View | |
| 15 | 3M Scotchlok Quick Splice with Gel (14 AWG stranded) | We used that to parallel our LED lights (25 Pack) | 1 | View |
| 16 | Heat Shrink Tubing Kit (with adhesive) | To protect lug after crimping | 1 | View |
| 17 | Split Loom Tubing, 3/8″ diameter 25 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 18 | Split Loom Tubing, 1/2″ diameter 25 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 19 | Split Loom Tubing, 3/4″ diameter 10 feet | To protect wire bundles | 1 | View |
| 20 | Nylon Cable Clamps Kit | To secure cable/split-loom to wood | 1 | View |
| 21 | Zip Tie Mount with Adhesive | To secure cable/split-loom to metal | 1 | View |
| 22 | Nylon Zip Ties Kit | To secure cable/split-loom | 1 | View |
| 23 | Rubber Grommet Kit | To protect wire from sharp edge (going through metal hole) | 1 | View |
12V Loads
| 1 | Maxxair 6200K Roof Fan | Fan Installation | 1 | Amazon |
| 2 | LED Ceiling Lights (Dimmable) | 3 | Amazon | |
| 3 | PWM Dimmer for LED Lights, 12V, Slider | 1 | Amazon | |
| 4 | Blue Sea 12V Socket | Electrical System Guide | 4 | Amazon |
| 5 | Shurflo Revolution Water Pump, 3 GPM | 1 | Amazon | |
| 6 | ON/OFF Switch for Water Pump | 1 | Amazon | |
| 7 | Webasto Air Top 2000 STC Gasoline Heater | Webasto Installation | 1 | eBay |
| 8 | Propex HS2000 Propane Heater | Propex Installation | 1 | Dealers |
| 9 | Novakool R5810 Fridge, 12V only | Fridge Guide | 1 | Campervan-HQ |
| 10 | Sirocco ii Gimbal Fan, 12V | Sirocco ii Installation / Review | 1 | Amazon |
| 11 | Nature’s Head Composting Toilet | Toilet Installation | 1 | Amazon |
| 12 | Propane Solenoid Shutoff Valve | 1 | Amazon | |
| 13 | ON/OFF Switch for Propane Solenoid | 1 | Amazon |
NOTE: The items list above is a pretty good overview of what's needed. But you can use our calculator (faroutride.com/van-electrical-calculator) to generate a precise, customized list that defines entirely your electrical system. It doesn't get any easier than this!
Well, that escalated quickly… If you can’t “read” the wiring diagram above, don’t give up just yet. Keep reading to build your knowledge and work your way up! Be patient, sleep on it; it might takes multiple reads before it all starts to make sense…
2- Battery Bank
Because power from the charge sources is not available at all time, a battery bank is mandatory in every van electrical system. The role of the battery bank is to accumulate energy from the charge sources, store it, then release it to the loads when needed.
2.1- Battery Types
A battery stores energy under chemical form, then convert it to electrical energy when needed. There are many battery types (chemistry) available and each have their pros/cons:
Flooded Lead-Acid
- Cheapest type available.
- High maintenance (needs to be filled periodically with water and kept in a vented compartment).
Gel-Cell
- Similar to Flooded lead-acid but the gel wont spill as easily.
- See Flooded lead-acid.
- Must be charged at low rate.
AGM
- Low Maintenance (no need to refill with water, no need to be vented).
- Performs well under most temperature range.
- Can be charged/discharged at higher rate than Flooded Lead-Acid.
- Much heavier than Lithium.
- Shorter life span than Lithium.
Lithium (LiFePO4)
- Light weight.
- No need to be vented.
- Can be discharged deeper without affecting battery life (meaning a 100Ah Lithium delivers almost twice the energy of a 100Ah AGM or Flooded).
- Can be charged/discharged at higher rate than AGM.
- Last much longer than any other battery type (not so expensive in the long run).
- Higher initial cost.
- Much more sensitive than other types, thus they require a BMS. See below for more info.
Unless your budget is very critical, we don’t really recommend flooded lead-acid or GEL (because of the maintenance aspect). That brings us to our next topic:
Choosing between AGM or Lithium (LiFePO4) Battery in 2019
When we built our van in 2016 (researching and designing during 2015), AGM was the obvious choice because it was a tried-and-true option (good performances, safe & reliable). Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries were a relatively new thing (in the van/RV world) and we were concerned about reliability & safety (and cost!). Technology advance so let’s see if, 4 years later, our concerns have been addressed:
1- B.M.S. (Battery Management System)
There are a few scenarios where it could be unsafe to operate a LiFePO4 battery:
- Temperature too low / too high;
- Voltage too high;
- Current too high.
To mitigate these scenarios companies like Battle Born Batteries, Trojan, Relion, Victron, now include BMS (Battery Management System) built-in their batteries. The BMS is in charge of watching if parameters (temperature, voltage, current) are within safe range. For example, the BMS will prevent charging the battery if the temperature is too low; it will also regulate the amount of power you can take out of the battery. It makes using a Lithium battery safe.
2- Lithium batteries can't be charged below 32F/0°C (more or less)
That’s quite an issue for us, knowing we use our van for skiing all winter (faroutride.com/winter-vanlife). An AGM battery do better in that department, but still performs better around room temperature; that’s the main reason why we installed our AGM battery inside the van. Because we live full-time in our van, we never let the interior freeze (because food/liquid/comfort) so that solves the issue for us!
Note 1: While LiFePO4 cannot be charged below freezing temperatures, they can still be discharged. So it would be possible to install a 12V heat mat to prevent the battery from freezing…
Note 2: In fact, some brand of Lithium batteries can be charge below 32F/0°C, but at a slower rate. Check your battery specification sheet!
3- AGM vs Lithium Comparison
Let’s compare our actual Rolls AGM battery (210Ah) to a BattleBorn LiFePO4 battery bank (100Ah). What really matter here is the “Actual Capacity Available” (remember that ideally an AGM should not be discharged below 50% of its capacity); so that’s why we compare a 210 AGM to a 100Ah Lithium:
| 210Ah AGM | 100Ah LITHIUM | |
| ACTUAL CAPACITY AVAILABLE | 105Ah | 100Ah |
| WEIGHT | 133.5 lbs | 31 lbs |
| TOTAL LIFE CYCLE* | 1200 | 3000 |
| UPFRONT COST | $650 | $950 |
| COST PER CYCLE | $0.54 | $0.32 |
| LENGTH | 21" | 12.75" |
| WIDTH | 8.5" | 6.875" |
| HEIGHT | 9.5" | 9" |
For full-time Vanlife (1 full cycle daily), it means an AGM will cost roughly $200 per year to operate and will last 3.5 years; while a Lithium will cost roughly $120 per year to operate and will last 8 years.
Soooo, AGM or Lithium?
If we had to start over (in 2019), we would go for Lithium (LiFePO4). Oh wait… as of June 2019 we just upgraded to Battle Born Lithium batteries (2 x 100Ah)! We LOVE staying up-to-date with technology and we enjoy testing products, so we made the leap 🙂 Our first impressions:
- These things are crazy light weight!
- They reach 100% SOC much faster than the AGM (absorption phase in AGM occurs quite slowly), and keep in mind we made no change to our solar & alternator charging. That means more power, faster. Nice.
- Since we have two batteries in parallel, we can charge up to 100A if we upgrade our b2b charger (right now we have a 60A b2b charger); that could be nice for winter.
- So far so good, highly recommended!*
*Note: We would NOT go for Lithium if our battery bank was installed outside the van (too cold during skiing season).
Renogy 100Ah Lithium (LiFePO4) 12V Battery
Battle Born Batteries 100Ah Lithium (LiFePO4) 12V
Trojan 110Ah Lithium (LiFePO4) 12V
Quick interruption: Our Opinion About Product Quality
What differentiate the “cheap” products (unbranded, very cheap products on Amazon & eBay) from the “Budget” products:
- Low or absent quality control. Defects in manufacturing could be introduced and go undetected.
- Incomplete, inacurate specification sheet and product manual.
- No customer support.
- Satisfying in the short term, always deceiving in the long run.
We took our chance with cheap products on non-critical components (radio unit, inclinometer, electrical connectors when we ran out of the good ones –> we replaced them with good ones afterwards!) and the result is always the same: product doesn’t last long, it’s buggy and has to be replaced soon enough. Even if the low initial cost is very appealing, we will NEVER recommend a cheap product for the electrical system (or else); we’re not rich enough to constantly replace our stuff.
This is our entry-level. To save cost, budget products typically don’t use the best internal components and consequently don’t show the best performance and durability. We recommend products within that category if budget is your priority.
This is our mid-level and most components in our van stand within that range. We don’t mind paying more initially if the product delivers good performances and last in time. We think it’s the best bang for the buck.
This is the “pro-level”. Products within that range deliver the ultimate performances. It’s pricey but for critical components of our electrical system, there’s no price for peace of mind.
OK we're done, thanks for listening!
2.2- Specifications
Not all batteries are made equal! A cheap battery won’t be able to give as much current as a high-quality battery… it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you’re not going overboard, so read the spec sheet! Any reputable brand should publish one for each of its product. Cheap products often don’t publish spec sheet; that a good enough reason not-to buy their products!
Here is an example of how a spec sheet should be (click the image to view the pdf):
Information is clearly shown, it’s straight-to-the-point, there is no marketing sales pitch… well done Relion! More examples: Trojan, BattleBorn (they really need to step up their game…), Rolls.
Information to look for:
- Recommended Charge Current: Choose a battery charger that charges within that range to maximize the life span!
- Maximum Charge Current: Never exceed that value.
- Recommended Charge Voltage (Bulk, Absorption, Float): That's called the "charging profile" and we explain later in this article why it's important...
- Charge & Discharge Temperature Range: Lithium vs AGM have very different range. Different brands of same chemistry as well.
- Continuous Discharge Current: That's the current the battery is able to deliver continuously. Power inverters draw HUGE amount of current; make sure to size your inverter so it draws less current than the continuous discharge current of the battery!
- Peak Discharge Current: That's the max current the battery is able to deliver for a short period (time should be indicated).
2.3- Combining Batteries
- Cables: Always use identical cables (length/diameter) so they offer the same resistance, ensuring all batteries work equally together.
- Mixing batteries: Do not mix batteries of different brand/models. Do not mix batteries of different age if using lead acid (AGM, gel, etc). It is acceptable to mix batteries of different age (no more than two years old) if using Lithium (see Battle Born FAQ).
Parallel
- Capacity (Ah): Adds up.
- Voltage (V): Same.
- Charge & Discharge Rate (A): Adds up.
For example, adding two batteries of 12V/100Ah (50A charge rate / 100A discharge rate) in parallel results in a battery bank of 12V/200Ah (100A charge rate / 200A discharge rate).
Series
- Capacity (Ah): Same.
- Voltage (V): Adds up.
- Charge & Discharge Rate (A): Same.
For example, adding two batteries of 6V/200Ah in series results in a battery bank of 12V/200Ah.
2.4- Charge Profile
Charging a battery is NOT like filling a car with gas…
- With a car, bringing the fuel gauge up to 100% is all that matters. Then, maintain your car periodically (oil change) and it’ll be running smooth for a long time 🙂
- With a battery, how you bring it up to 100% really matters: you are filling it and doing the maintenance simultaneously!
An adequate charge cycle goes through multiple stages; each stage has specific current/voltage parameters. The combination of these stages is called the charge profile. Different battery chemistry (AGM, Lithium, etc) and different brand (Rolls, Trojan, BattleBorn, etc) requires different charge profile. Why you should care about charge profile:
- To maximize the life span of the battery (prevent sulfuration of lead-acid batteries).
- A battery equipped with a BMS might cut the charge if the parameters are out of range (Lithium).
Lead-Acid (Flooded, Gel, AGM)
Typical Charge Profile
Stage 1: BULK
- Approximately between 0% and 85% of the charge.
- Current rate: BIG! As much as the charger can "push" into the battery! (battery's recommended charge current)
- Voltage: Increase with time.
During that stage, the battery doesn’t offer much resistance to charging. It’s easy for the charger to push energy into the battery so a low voltage results in a large current; in other words most of the energy is transferred during that stage. As the battery charges, it offers more and more resistance; it’s much more difficult for the charger to push energy into the battery. If only bulk stage is used, the battery cannot be fully charged…
Stage 2: ABSORPTION
- Approximately between 85% and 100% of the charge.
- Current: LOW. Decrease with time.
- Voltage: Fixed (around 14.7V for AGM)
Near 85% the battery become much more resistant to charging… to keep pushing energy into the battery, the charger raises the voltage. You can clearly observe that on your battery monitor (high voltage, low charging current). It’s kind of like switching to first gear on your car: it’s more powerful, but slower. During that stage, the high voltage results in gassing inside the battery; this gas stirs the electrolytes and helps dissolve the small sulfate crystals. That’s why a proper absorption stage is so important! It prevents hard deposits (sulfuration) and therefore prevents loss of total capacity memory.
Stage 3: FLOAT
- Once the battery is fully charged.
- Current: VERY LOW. (typically lower than 1A)
- Voltage: Fixed (around 13.8V for AGM)
The float stage prevent self-discharge and can be maintained indefinitely.
Lithium (LiFePO4)
Typical Charge Profile
Lithium batteries don’t suffer from sulfuration, so charging with the wrong charge profile is not as bad as with lead-acid batteries. Charging with the wrong profile could prevent reaching 100% charge, but that won’t hurt the battery in the long term. Good to know: Most Lithium batteries are OK to charge with an AGM profile!
Stage 1: BULK
- Current rate: BIG! As much as the charger can "push" into the battery!
- Voltage: Increase with time.
The bulk stage is terminated when the absorption voltage is reached (around 14.4V).
Stage 2: ABSORPTION
- Current: LOW. Decrease with time.
- Voltage: Fixed (around 14.4V)
The absorption stage is terminated when current decrease below approximately 5% of the battery capacity (approx. 5A for a 100Ah battery).
Stage 3: FLOAT
- Floating a Lithium battery is unnecessary, but it won't hurt it.
- Voltage: Fixed (around 13.6V)
Consult the specification sheet of your battery brand/model to find its specific charge profile!
2.5- Discharging Batteries
We’ve just seen how charging a battery impact its life cycle & performance. Discharging a battery has similar implications; let’s see how!
Terminology
State Of Charge (SOC)
It is defined as “how fully charged” the battery is.
- 100% SOC = Fully Charged
- 25% SOC = A quarter of energy left
- 0% SOC = Empty
Depth Of Discharge (DOD)
It is defined as “how deep” the battery is discharged. (it’s the opposite of SOC…)
- 25% DOD = A quarter of total energy available was used (75% SOC)
- 75% DOD = Three quarter of total energy available was used (25% SOC)
- 100% DOD = Fully discharged (0% SOC)
CYCLE
In a typical usage, a battery starts fully charged (100% SOC), then goes down to a certain level (e.g. 80% SOC), back to fully charged (100% SOC). This is defined as a cycle.
A cycle is independent of calendar, so there could be multiple cycles per day or one cycle per week… But typically, a campervan/RV battery cycles once per day because of solar power.
CYCLE Life
The life span of a battery (how long it will last) is mostly defined by the number of cycles… in a similar way that mileage defines the life cycle of cars.
As a battery ages (cycles), it holds less and less energy. Generally, manufacturers consider that a battery has reached its end of life when it cannot hold more than 70% of its initial capacity (i.e. eventually, a 100Ah battery becomes a 70Ah battery).
Charge/Discharge Rate
It is defined as how fast (current) a battery bank is charged/discharged.
“0.2C Rate” means 20% of the battery bank capacity; “0.5C Rate” means 50% of the battery bank capacity; and so on. For example if the battery bank is comprised of 2 x 100Ah Battle Born Batteries, “0.5C Rate” =0.5 x 200Ah = 100A.
Discharge Current Rate
- How fast (current rate) a battery is discharged affects its capacity and its total cycle life:
1- Its Capacity:
A Lithium battery (black curves) is able to deliver pretty much the same amount of energy regardless of how fast it’s being discharged, as opposed to a lead acid (red curves).
2- Its total life cycle:
Discharging a battery more rapidly will reduce its total life cycle (AGM or Lithium).
Depth Of Discharge (D.O.D.)
- The DOD has a great impact on cycle life. Let's look at cycle life graphs for a Lithium VS an AGM battery:
Trojan Trillium Lithium (LiFePO4):
- At recommended discharge current (0.5C, or half its capacity):
- If cycled at 25% DOD, the Trojan Trillium should last more than 11,000 cycles.
- If cycled at 50% DOD, the Trojan Trillium should last 9,000 cycles.
- If cycled at 100% DOD, the Trojan Trillium should last 4,200 cycles.
Rolls AGM:
- If cycled at 25% DOD, the Rolls AGM should last 2,750 cycles.
- If cycled at 50% DOD, the Rolls AGM should last 1,200 cycles.
- If cycled at 100% DOD, the Rolls AGM should last 600 cycles.
For full-time Vanlife, a battery will typically sees 365 cycles per year. But keep in mind that while cycle life plays a major role in the life span of the battery, calendar also has an impact as materials (used to chemically store energy) degrade over time. Many factors influence degradation, temperature being one of the most important.
- At last, remember that there is a maximum current rate (Amps) that a battery is able to give and it should never be exceeded. We already mentioned it under "Battery Specifications" above, but we though we would repeat ourselves... So when sizing your inverter (they draw HUGE amount of current), take that into consideration.
2.6- Temperature
Generally, batteries perform better near room temperature. For example, take electric cars: their range in cold climate is greatly reduced during winter! That’s another reason why we installed our battery bank inside the van; exterior temperature has less impact on our battery that way.
Charging A Frozen Battery
Lead-ACID (Flooded, Gel, AGM)
First of all, unlike water, a battery will not freeze at 32F (0°C). The freezing temperature of the battery depends on the state of charge. As the state of charge in a battery decreases, the electrolyte becomes more like water and the freezing temperature increases. It is very important to make sure your battery stays fully charged in extreme cold weather. If a battery freezes, it can damage the plates and container leading to a potential explosion. A frozen battery must NOT be charged! Consult your battery manual.
As a guideline, this is extracted from our Rolls Battery Manual:
Specific Gravity (SG) | State of Charge approx (%) | Freezing Temperature C (F) |
| 1.280 | 100 | -69C (-92F) |
| 1.265 | 92 | -57.4C (-72.3F) |
| 1.250 | 85 | -52.2C (-62F) |
| 1.200 | 60 | -26.7C (-16F) |
| 1.150 | 40 | -15C (5F) |
| 1.100 | 20 | -7C (19F) |
Lithium (LiFePO4)
We often hear that a lithium battery cannot be charged below 32F (0°C); In fact, some brand of Lithium batteries can be charge below 32F/0°C, but at a slower rate. Check your battery specification sheet!
Take a look at Trojan Trillium LiFePO4 battery for example:
Good to know: the built-in BMS in high-quality batteries will take care of cutting-off the current if temperature gets too low.
Charging A Battery At High Temperature
Charging a battery at high temperature generally affects its cycle life (lifespan). For example, here is Trojan Trillium Lithium Cycle Life VS Temperature:
3- Charge Sources
Now that we understand how to properly charge a battery, let’s see our charge options:
3.1- Solar Power
Harvesting power from the sun feels a bit like cheating to us; this is the exciting part of the electrical system! It is free to use, but it is not exactly cheap to setup at first.
First of all, do you really need solar power in your system? If you’re thinking on charging only from the alternator, keep in mind that while the bulk charge is relatively fast, it takes a long time to complete the absorption stage (even if you have a powerful charger). So unless you like to drive A LOT everyday, solar power will ensure you get a full charge and will increase your battery life!
3.1.1- In a Nutshell
- The solar panels are in charge of converting the energy of sunlight to electricity, but the resulting voltage and current they produce are not adequate for the battery...
- The solar charge controller takes care of converting the voltage and current from the solar panels into a proper charge profile for the battery (see "Charge Profile" section above).
For example, here is a screenshot from our Victron solar charge controller (faroutride.com/victron-review). Notice how the voltage/current coming out of the panels are different from the voltage/current going into the battery:
3.1.2- Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline?
Monocrystalline used to be more efficient than polycrystalline, but it’s not so true anymore. The quality of the solar panel (manufacturer) is more important than the type of the panel. Here is a good article if you want to learn more about that: Pros and Cons of Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline solar panels.
3.1.3- Combining Multiple Panels
Series
- High Voltage (voltage is added)
- Low Current
- Low current means less voltage drop between the panels and the solar charger. That's better for long distance cable routing and allows to use smaller cable diameter.
- Panels depend on each other. That's really bad for partial shading (especially from the components on your roof such as the fan or the roof rack bars) and if the panels don't have exactly the same orientation.
Parallel
- Low Voltage
- High Current (current is added)
- Effect of partial shading and panel orientation is minimized.
- Requires Parallel MC4 Connectors (no big deal, really):
Partial shading is not a myth, but unfortunately professional solar installers (or DIYers) seem to ignore that a lot, judging from how solar panels are installed relative to the fans/roof racks… Take the time to read the next section!
3.1.4- Partial Shading
Blocking a single cell from a solar array can completely bring the solar output down to ZERO. That’s right! Bear with us…
Solar Panel Construction
Solar panels are made of multiple solar cells all connected together in series; blocking one of the cell totally kills the output of the solar panel. Think of the old Christmas tree lights: if one of the bulb blew, the entire thing would go off. Meh. Typically we see roof racks or fans creating partial shading (this is totally avoidable!):
Solar Array
What if the solar panel above is part of an array connected in series? The resulting total power is ZERO. See the water analogy below:
Bypass Diodes
Fortunately, modern solar panels have built-in bypass diodes that helps with partial shading. In such solar panel, cells are split in 2 or 3 groups; if one cell is blocked, only the group comprising the blocked cell is “killed”. Other groups bypass the killed group:
Don’t celebrate too fast: even with bypass diodes, a solar array (in series) total power will be considerably reduced:
In the example above:
Total Power Without Partial Shading
Total Power With Partial Shading (Series)
Total Power With Partial Shading (Parallel)
Conclusion on partial shading
- Do NOT install your panels in the shade of your fan or your roof rack! If you must, connect your panels in parallel.
- In series, adding one more panel might actually reduce your total power output (if it's in the shade of a fan/rack)!
And that explains our roof layout:
3.1.5- Panel Orientation
A panel will deliver more current if oriented perpendicular to the sun. On large commercial solar plant, the panels are mounted on a motor-driven device that will optimized the orientation of the panel automatically throughout the day. Obviously there is no such device for a van roof (until when?), but with some out-of-the-box thinking you can build your own system:
We reached out to Ray at Rayoutfitted and he claims his tilt system can increase solar input up to 50% in winter. Pretty good!
Adding a tilt kit will obviously add weight, raise the panel(s) and have a negative impact on fuel consumption. If we were to park for extended period of time at the same place, we might consider a tilt kit. But with our lifestyle we generally move a few times each day, so we personally don’t feel like it’s worth the hassle.
At last, having several panels with dissimilar orientation has a similar effect as partial shading. If you must have dissimilar orientation, consider connecting your panels in parallel.
3.1.6- Solar Charge Controller
MPPT vs PWM
MPPT are more efficient than PWM in cold temperature, partially sunny day and if the voltage of your solar panels is superior to the voltage of your battery bank. However they consume a small amount of power for themselves (it’s almost nothing really) and are more expensive than PWM. The debate rage about the MPPT efficiency over PWM, but it is believed to be around 10%-20% more efficient depending on the conditions.
MPPT VS PWM, What Others Have to Say:
- See Bogart Engineering take on MPPT vs PWM charge controller debate here (see FAQ “C1″)
- MorningStar MPPT vs PWM comparison.
- Victron MPPT vs PWM: Which solar charger to choose?
- Side-to-side, real world testing of MPPT vs PWM charge controller here.
MPPT VS PWM, What We Have to Say:
- We first installed a PWM charge controller (Bogart Engineering) and then upgraded to a MPPT (Victron SmartSolar).
- While we can’t exactly quantify the improvement, we immediately noticed more charging current; we observed 24A with the Victron while the most we got with the Bogart was 16A.
- We also noticed more power earlier in the morning and during overcast weather.
- OK we’re sold to the Victron MPPT!!
Here you will find our review about the Victron MPPT SmartSolar Charger, Battery Monitor and VictronConnect App. We also go through the installation, initial setup and operation process. We have a bunch of cool screenshots and things to say about the Victron so go read the article 🙂
Choosing the size of the Charge Controller
All Victron solar charge controllers are denoted by MPPT XXX | XX:
Choosing the size of the charge controller is also covered in our “Victron Review” above 🙂
3.2- Alternator
When driving, the alternator role is to convert mechanical energy (engine) into electrical energy. This electrical energy is delivered to all the vehicle’s electrical components (lights, radio, etc.) and to charge the starter battery as well. It’s possible to “borrow” electrical energy from the alternator to charge the house battery…
Do you need alternator power in your system? It depends:
- If you live full time in your van, we say it’s a must. Energy is a basic need, it’s not cool worrying about running out of it…
- If you take your van for adventures in summer only, you can probably live without it.
- For fall and spring adventures, we highly recommend it as the solar days get shorter and weaker. Alternator power is a good way to quickly go through the bulk charge, then solar power can complete the absorption stage.
- For winter there’s no question about it, our opinion is that you want it.
3.2.1- Isolator / Automatic Charging Relay (ACR)
Isolator and ACR combine the starter battery and the house battery together during the charge and disconnect them during discharge. They’re good at “bulk-charging” the house battery, but they’re not so good at finishing the charge properly because the house battery is not getting an adequate charge profile. That’s not great for the cycle-life of lead-acid batteries (flooded, gel, AGM) and they tend to overwork alternators, so we prefer the B2B option.
Lithium Battery Isolation Manager (Up to 225A)
3.2.2- Battery to Battery Charger (a.k.a. "B2B" or "DC to DC")
This option is quite popular these days as it provide many advantages:
- It’s a Smart Charger, meaning it provides a multi-stage charge adapted to the battery type (Gel, AGM, LifePO4, etc). That’s important, because it will keep your house battery healthy and maximize its lifecycle (especially for lead-acid batteries “flooded, gel or AGM”).
- It acts as current limiter to prevent overworking the alternator (choose between various models: 30A, 60A or 120A).
- Easier to install: no need to wire to the vehicle ignition.
- It’s plug-and-forget: the B2B will automatically activate/deactivate when driving to keep the house battery topped up.
Renogy DCC50S DC to DC charger
Victron Orion-TR Smart 30A
3.2.3- Accessing Battery Power (alternator power) on the Ford Transit
Please check this official Ford SVE Bulletin on how to use the battery power (alternator) on SINGLE or DOUBLE battery variant: SVE Bulletin Q-226 (.pdf)
3.2.4- Accessing Battery Power (alternator power) on the Mercedes Sprinter
THE PICTURES ABOVE ARE EXTRACTED FROM THE BODY AND EQUIPMENT GUIDELINE, PAGE 246, 247 & 248. MAKE SURE TO READ THESE PAGES FOR MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS AND LIMITATIONS:
3.3- Shore Power
Do you need shore power in your system? We think it’s a good option if:
- You spend extended time in campgrounds with full service.
- You use your van to chase the snow. Indeed, solar is VERY weak in winter and it takes a LONG drive to complete a full charge so it’s sometimes required to plug in for the night.
3.3.1- Battery Charger / Converter
A smart Battery Charger / Converter will:
- Charge the house battery from a 120V source by providing a multi-stage charging profile adapted to the battery type (Gel, AGM, etc).
- Provide power to 12V loads. This means using 12V loads (refrigerator, lights, etc) won’t discharge the battery when the charger/converter is plugged in.
3.3.2- Inverter / Charger
An inverter / Charger is a battery charger AND an inverter combined into one device. It is quite convenient because it simplify the installation (one device instead of two), but it’s more expensive (between 1000$-2000$ for high-quality ones) than installing a separate inverter and a battery charger…
Victron MultiPlus Compact Pure Sine Inverter/Charger (2000W).
4- 12V DC Loads
Installing appliances and devices that work on 12V DC is efficient, because there’s always a loss when converting to 120V AC. Here are all the 12V loads we’re running in our van:
5- 120V AC Loads
5.1- Power Inverters & Inverter/Chargers
The role of the power inverter is to convert the voltage from 12V DC (direct current coming from the battery bank) to 120V AC (alternative current). Just know that there is a loss of around 10%-15% efficiency during the conversion from DC to AC, so it’s better to avoid the inverter when possible. For example, it is more energy-efficient to get a 12V power adapter to power your laptop, phone, camera, etc:
Now, there are some appliance that must use 120V AC such as microwave, gaming laptop, milk frother, blender, coffee machine, etc. In that case, you will need an inverter. You should size your inverter according to your most demanding appliance; check the owner manual or check online to find out how much Watt an appliance draw. If you can’t find the info, you can use a Kill-a-watt. The Kill A Watt is plugged into the 120V outlet (of your house), then the appliance is plugged into the Kill A Watt and then the consumption will be displayed.
Modified VS Pure Sine Inverter
There are two types of inverter: modified and pure sine inverter. This short but comprehensive article makes a good job at explaining the differences and there’s a list of appliances that might not work with a modified sine wave inverter: https://www.samlexamerica.com/support/faqs/faq02.aspx
In a nutshell:
Modified Sine Wave
In a modified sine wave, the voltage rises and falls abruptly, the phase angle also changes abruptly and it sits at 0 Volts for some time before changing its polarity:
- Cheap.
- Any device that uses a control circuitry that senses the phase (for voltage / speed control) or instantaneous zero voltage crossing (for timing control) will not work properly from a voltage that has a modified sine wave-form.
- Produces enhanced radio interference, higher heating effect in motors / microwaves and produces overloading due to lowering of the impedance of low frequency filter capacitors / power factor improvement capacitors.
Pure Sine Wave
In a pure sine wave, the voltage rises and falls smoothly with a smoothly changing phase angle and also changes its polarity instantly when it crosses 0 Volts.
- Inductive loads like microwaves and motors run faster, quieter and cooler.
- Reduces audible and electrical noise in fans, fluorescent lights, audio amplifiers, TV, fax and answering machines.
- Prevents crashes in computers, weird print outs and glitches in monitors.
- More expensive.
About Power Rating
Normally inverters are rated for the power they can continuously deliver on the 120V AC side. But remember that because there is an efficiency loss (around 15%), more power is draw on the 12V DC side (battery). For example, a 1800W inverter will draw more than 1800W on the DC side:
We had really good luck with our Samlex pure sine wave inverter (and our Samlex charger as well!) and highly recommend it. It’s been running great since 2016.
High Current!
Remember that inverters draw HUUUUGE amount of current (i.e. a 3000W inverter draws over 300 amps!) and are the most “dangerous” component of your electrical system. Make sure that your connections are p-e-r-f-e-c-t (and won’t loose over time/vibration) or else, enjoy the fireworks. In doubt, ask a professional to install/verify it for you.
6- Battery and System Monitoring
6.1- Battery Monitor
A battery monitor is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend it. Depending on your model, it will display the house and van battery voltage, amperage coming in/out of the house battery, % battery left, amperage used since last charge, etc, etc. You will learn a lot from the battery monitor on: 1- the impact of shade on solar (and help you choose the right parking spot) 2- the impact of your load(s). This will help you better manage your energy. We tested and recommend the Victron BMV-712 because it’s a modern, high-quality monitor:
The Victron BMV-712 has bluetooth inside and current status (and historical data) can be displayed on an iPhone or Android phone!
Here you will find our review about the Victron MPPT SmartSolar Charger, Battery Monitor and VictronConnect App. We also go through the installation, initial setup and operation process. We have a bunch of cool screenshots and things to say about the Victron so go read the article 🙂
6.2- System Monitor
The Simarine Pico system monitor enables to monitor much more than just the battery. It can also monitor the consumers (current consumption of individual loads), tank levels (fresh, grey, Nature’s Head, propane, etc), temperatures (interior, exterior, fridge, etc) and pitch/roll (inclinometer to park level). We installed it recently and we’re blown away by the quality of that thing! Not to mention it is VERY sexy and looks much better in our van than any other monitor 🙂
7- Electrical Wiring
7.1- Wire Diameter (AWG)
Choosing the correct wire size (AWG) is essential for SAFETY (fire hazard due to ampacity) and PERFORMANCE (intermittent problems due to voltage drop) of your electrical system.
7.1.1- Ampacity
The ampacity is the maximum current that a wire can carry continuously without exceeding its temperature rating. For example: if a wire ampacity is 60A (AWG 10) and there is a continuous current flow of 61A, the wire will overheat and the insulation could melt, creating a fire hazard. An overcurrent protection device (fuse/breaker) prevents going over the ampacity rating of the wire (the fuse/breaker size should always be smaller than the wire ampacity).
7.1.2- Voltage Drop
There is a loss of energy (voltage drop) as current moves through passive elements (wires, terminals, etc) of an electrical system. The wires are a big contributor to the voltage drop and this should be taken into account when designing the electrical system. How? By selecting the appropriate diameter; the bigger the diameter, the smaller the voltage drop. Generally, wire diameter should be selected to provide a maximum of 3% voltage drop for critical loads (panel main feeder, inverter, electronic) and 10% maximum voltage drop for non-critical loads (lightning, fan, etc). That being said, we personally like to use around 3% voltage drop for everything in our van.
7.1.3- Selecting the correct wire diameter
Now, really, how do you selected the correct wire diameter? It can be done manually by following ABYC standards (ABYC E-09 1990 pdf), but to make your life easier we designed this WIRE GAUGE CALCULATOR: