CHEAP EASY 12V Camper Van ELECTRICS (REUPLOAD) - How To

I wanted to revisit camper van 12v electrics. This how to video is to help new comers get started with a cheap, simple and easy to maintain system that would provide you with everything you need to get started and off grid. From this base knowledge you can massively expand your system to be more and more complex, there is so much more you can add to a 12v setup like this. Please remember to be safe around electrical items, I am not a qualified electrician and I would advise you get one to check over your system before use or even have one fit your system if your very un sure.
PARTS:
CABLE: www.autoelectr...
CABLE ABOVE 70A: www.autoelectr...
FUSING: www.autoelectr...
TERMINAL KIT: www.autoelectr...
OR
bit.ly/36GnRPe
ROCKER SWITCH: bit.ly/3iFDYPl
VSR: www.simplyspli...
240V KIT: www.jacksonsle...
CONDUIT TUBE: Google 'cable conduit tube'
LED: I use www.wholesalel... BUT most are good
Most other parts just search for on ebay, Auto Electric Supplies or google to see different styles and prices etc.
Camera Kit Used Throughout My Series:
BODY: Panasonic GH5
LENS: Panasonic 7-14mm 1:2.8
OTHER: My Phone
Please like share and subscribe as this will be a series of videos showing the full transformation and use of my camper van!
For more info about what I am up to subscribe to my channel! Get on board with my VanLogs and keep up to date with all my progress.
Website: www.hugh-tube.com
Instagram: hughtubevlog

[@davejc1]

As an auto electrician of 30 years experience.. I can tell you that's the best video on camper electrics I've seen. One "camper Conversion specialist" I watched was advacating disconnecting the positive terminal of the battery first ..... 😂

[@doraexplora9046]

I was an Electronics engineer, but van wiring confused me because I saw way too many ways of wiring a system in. This video made me realise the best way to wire things up. One thing I noted. Don't suggest all those extra switches to isolate devices. Unnecessary. Use the breakers. I would NEVER use a wire-fuse in a van, because when they trip in the middle of the night! Who's got a spare and how do you get to it? Just use 12VDC thermo-breakers and disconnect the offending device when tripped and reset afterwards. That way you can worry about it in the morning! Vans are subjected to an enormous amount of 'jiggling' on the road, so I would crimp AND solder connectors where possible. If you go off road, I would put a drop of Loctite on the main connectors.

[@NomaddUK]

Loved how you instantly reverted to a 6 year old boy when the ice cream van arrived.

[@ifell3]

This is exactly how I'm building mine. I was going to go down the road with an automatic transfer switch. But as my inverter is IT grounded and new regs on bidirectional protection devices, I popped my head into the rabbit hole and thought stuff this. Without making the system to test each possible fault and protection for safety I thought it was better just to keep the two systems separate. Good to see you have a 2 pole MCB 💪🏼

[@vanlifenomadgipsygirlcanad2195]

Thank you so much Its clear easy to understand even for a french 57 years old blond woman as me :)

[@mclucky7086]

Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant. And again, Brilliant........

[@cohoblue6512]

Absolutely outstanding information , a huge huge Thank You for putting together a very comprehensive detailed video , this must have taken quite a bit of thought and effort to organise - we have all benefited from your experience and knowledge and definitely deserves a round of applause 👏👏

[@stephenmcateer4243]

By far the most useful video I have come across to help me install a DIY 12V solar system

[@1rewaco]

Clear, concise,detailed and extremely well explained. I will definitely be using this during my van build. Many thanks!

[@FaizulHamid]

I am.a newbie to DC/DC charging; your video is the #1 in terms of explanation. A BIG thank you.

[@shanedean4075]

Thank you for making this so darn simple! Everything else is like a darn physics lesson

[@garytaylor8845]

Hey "HugeTube" your electrical set up videos are the best I've seen on KZbin. The detailed explanations you give and the time, effort and cost of your easy to see and understand board layouts are the dogs doo dahs. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Keep them coming and best wishes for the future to you Hugh.

[@robjones9367]

Probably the most helpful camper electrics video out there. Thanks.

[@HughTube]

Thanks!

[@owensdaniels6244]

YES I LIKE HOW YOU HOOK THINGS AND ORGANIZING THINGS UP FANTASTIC! JOB SIR

[@keesadema6548]

Hugh! From the Netherlands, well done! for the first time in months it is completely clear how this system is supposed to work! Keep it up!

[@HughTube]

Thanks so much!

[@Vilhyto]

Good video, gives me ideas for my Sprinter stealth van. Already ordered some stuff for next upgrade on electronics. Here in Finland we call these white terminal blocks 'suger cubes'

[@waynehobbs5175]

You explain and demonstrate brilliantly. Thankyou so much Hugh. Am doing my first 12v project of upgrading my caravan from just 2 x 100Ah AGM and 2 x 100watt solar panels as it came to: Adding 2 x 300W solar and replacing the batteries with 4 x 100Ah LiFePO4 a new extra MPPT solar controller a new 40A lithium programmed AC to DC plus a new DC DC to feed from cars Anderson plug to batteries. Finally a 2000W pure sine wave inverter plus all wires fuses busbars etc. Having watched this video I feel I can cautiously proceed and will rewatch video. Wayne from sunny South Australia

[@HughTube]

Oh wow a hell of a setup there Wayne! And thanks for the nice comment! Best of luck but please remember that if you’re feeling unsure please consult an electrician.

[@sarahkeast2943]

Thank you for such a clear and simple video, I am literally following it step by step at the moment, till I go to my friends to get everything checked and finally connected. It is very empowering to feel I have done 'most' of my electrickery myself.

[@stivstiv2559]

Absolutely brilliant video. So much covered in a simple ,informative format. Concise,without repitition. The backboard layout is brilliant,as its easy to see,without the business of a van layout. When you cover 'wires', could you add a basic arrow graphic pointing at the wire, that says the size of wire- gauge size, especislly battery wire etc. Thank you so much.

[@4RingsRetro]

THIS! I don't know which guage cable to go from switch to 12v/lighter port. The cable I have isn't wide enough and doesn't supply enough power to the fridge.

[@mattydare]

​@@4RingsRetro Don't think I'm violating any 'laws' by forwarding this - in the notes below vid there's a dropbox chart - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIfOdYOwp6ZgsNk - props to Greg Virgoe. Not sure if there's a B.S. advising the size against power used (amps) or if it's advice from the cable manufacturer? I'm starting a build so I need info too. Don't want to be frying cables or worse, the van 🤔. Cool is cool, hot is not 👍

[@SppynktAK]

This my pedigree chum was friggin awesome. Thanks bro lot of knowledge gained. Hefty amount of time you put into this I can imagine. Thank you 🤘🤙🍀

[@binslagala]

What an absolute brilliant video, suuuper useful! Thank you so much for investing the time to explain it so well!

[@nickhigson7540]

Hi Hugh! Dare I say it but this most excellent 'simplicity ' vlog of yours has given me multiple light bulb moments of inspiration as a newbie with that normal fear of electrics. Many thanks. Be safe, Be well my friend.👍👍

[@brianthompson1579]

Thorough and clear with well paced explanations.

[@garethlewis3647]

Excellent video. Ideal for someone starting out. Many thanks for your work in educating us.

[@HughTube]

thank you too Gareth!

[@rajjones2171]

Thank you very much. Your video was very informative and I will apply this to my enclosed trailer build.

[@sandrafarrell3657]

Very helpful and clear to understand. I have been searching a long time on internet wondering if my 240 hook up was charging my leisure battery or not.. I bought the camper van privately and I was unsure. I think this is very helpful you have covered so much for me who has little knowledge about the electrics but a bit more savvy now. Thank you

[@DaveGannon-p5b]

Great video. Really appreciate you doing this for me and others in the process of converting a van

[@seanfallon4580]

The best video I've ever watched you explain everything in simple terms Thanks a lot Hugh 😊

[@kestonmendez4290]

Thanks for taking the time to run down everything... Awesome job!! Just surfing the web for the fun of it. Now, you make me want to play with my toys... hehhehe

[@ZX600E7]

The blue shore power socket is correct. The extension lead to a bollard has male and female at each end. The bollard has the flap too. It's so that the cable when attached to the mains does not have exposed pins.

[@Jester2All]

I love how you paused to get ice cream 😁 Your channel has been very helpful and I just found it and subscribed today

[@dleon0902]

Thank you. The most detailed explanation yet a level directed to the layman.

[@mattmunkey6871]

Great video. As I do commercial electrical and don’t touch auto electrical it was good to see how basic it was. I think good kit is a must. Ty.

[@danbracebridge1582]

Great video- I’ll be referring back to this a fair bit once I start running cables👍 Maybe an add on video about actual location of all the components in an ‘average’ van?

[@beverleydryland1146]

Thankyou Hugh very responsible and informative video x Delica owner in Bunbury western Australia x

[@joedunne6737]

A great way to connect wires are the American wire nuts, fast, secure and used extensively on everything electrical. Don't know why we haven't accepted them on this side.

[@HughTube]

Not sure are they secure, as in how much tension can be put on the lines before pulling apart?

[@andybaker973]

Hi Hugh , quick point. The best way to isolate your solar is to use a DC rotary isolator to interrupt pos and neg between your panel and your solar controller. Please advise people to check is their Circuit breaker (MCB) is DC rated as many are not.. Cheers

[@jimgreen9909]

Cheers mate, understood all things hopefully got me sorted

[@Andy001z]

Great informative video. I had a very similar setup in my first build, nice to see a few extra options and the information about the new alternator types is priceless. Thanks

[@geko7844]

This is exactly the video I was looking for. The CTEK dual charger is also exactly what I wanted but until you know the name of something it’s nearly impossible to find! 😅 Thank you

[@aaroncallinan7754]

Big thanks Hugh, great video - so straight to the point and clearly done.

[@HughTube]

Thanks!

[@jedidahwaithira9915]

@@HughTube hey maybe u can help me i have a 200ah batterie i have 100ah fuse braker but when i connect mt lights the small fuse blow 30ah i dont get it thanx

[@bparker86]

New here.... But I love love love the commitment to only spreading good safe information. That's dedication man. Subbed and followed good day

[@billgregory1189]

Great explanation nice and easy, keep it simple 👍

[@bencook3430]

Excellent, very comprehensive video. Thank you.

[@johnwilky6155]

Hi . Fantastic clear understandable video. Helped me immensely. Thankyou.

[@HughTube]

Cheers John

[@joedunne6737]

Thanks dude, just what I was looking for. Great info.

[@moose1419]

Brilliant video. My only recommendation would be to use a fully insulated terminal for those rocker switches. Nothing wrong with the ones you've used but I just feel they give you that little bit of extra protection. Like I say great video and I'm in no way criticising you 👍

[@HughTube]

Cheers Moose no you're totally correct, not sure which timestamp you're referring to but I add about insulating the terminals to prevent potential shorts etc.

[@davidcoton2925]

Hi ya! Loved the simplicity of your video, BUT, any mains work should be done by an electrician as the mains board connections must be tightened up to the correct torque and Rcd must be tested to ensure safe operation. Also the cable from your 12v board to the neg bus bar is not rated for the 20a fuse. The battery fuses also need to be as close to the batteries as close as possible. Your set up has no safety fuse between the leasure battery and switch, so if there is a fault between this battery and the solar charger you have a fire in your van/boat/caravan.

[@HughTube]

Hi David, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge!

[@edilbertoduarte9221]

Thank you first video that really explains every detail

[@czeque]

Great intro into the topic, thanks!

[@martinsharp7657]

Great videos I am on my first van build and your videos are a must go to. The electrics was explained so simply. Never even heard of smart alternators till now so an education.

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

why do you call a circuit breaker a fuse ? though is serves the same purpose, the circuit breaker simply needs to be reset whereas a fuse must be replaced.

[@vaneboating4949]

Fantastic video, very clear and practical

[@T8RTU]

Top level information Hugh. Easy to follow through for first time novice to competent diy’er needing to take on this work in their van conversion. Definitely recommend this as a go to source for all. ✅

[@HughTube]

Thanks so much Andrew!

[@alastair8257]

Utterly brilliant...nice one Hugh, great video. I'm just a keen viewer tempted by the vanlife/perhaps forced following covid times, and while the topic was timed perfectly, I absorbed it which is key so thank you. Absorbed it as in listened, just don't test me! ;) I don't supose you do consultancy/supervised builds or full conversions by chance!? Wow that progressed fast from being a keen viewer to asking about builds...haha! Thanks again for making the video

[@HughTube]

thank you so much, for any custom work or info contact me at [e-mail]

[@ZX600E7]

Positive from the charger should go to the battery terminal. If not, it'll be supplying the vehicle 12v leisure system

[@chrissyb85]

Excellent video! Simple, clear and easy to follow 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Eddtheduck17]

This is a superb video mate. Thank you

[@msf60khz]

Very useful video. Thank you. I notice you do not have a main battery fuse, so there are some pieces of thin wire potentially exposed to the full output of the battery. For instance the wire going to the solar controller. Maybe the chances of something happening are remote.

[@Smokie1969]

FANTASTIC video, very informative and I didn't even realise how long it was, great work 👌. ONE QUESTION to clarify......having a CTEK unit for my smart alternator van means that I DON'T need to purchase an MPPT charge controller?¿?¿ Cheers 🙏🇦🇺

[@CJamesPhoto]

So helpful! Thank you 😊😊

[@Baloovanz]

Very informative matey. Luckily i am a qualified electrician 😎

[@mrs.onyango6504]

He’s very helpful. Also since you are a true Electrician can you top this guy, by being as simply explicative as he has been??? Smarty!

[@Baloovanz]

@@mrs.onyango6504 I will be honest, I could. However, I am not as patient as Hugh so i’d make a naff job making it simple most likely. My electrical work was primarily in 3 phase commercial work not 12v electrics but the principle is the same and electricity is electricity. The only main difference aside from level of voltage is this is DC instead of AC. He does a great job of explaining things to be fair though..and I have learnt a good few things from him on carpentry skills, which I am rubbish at haha.

[@simoncaulfield33]

Basically the guy that built our van watched this first. Now, question, when I use EHU my batteries don't charge but the electricity is coming into the van as my 3 pins work. Should it override or should it link in with the system ie same as van engine battery?

[@roozbehfarhadi9993]

​@@mrs.onyango6504 no he cant... hes an electrician... he is above everybody else. dont you know?! He can explain the same things but he will have to charge you 200 quid per word.

[@adammills52]

Very good video definitely 1 of the best Ive seen thank you

[@RachaelGibbon-wf2ui]

This may have already been covered and I’ve missed it. How do you add a second battery to the 12v relay set up? Thanks for the video very helpful 😊

[@PaulFarrell04]

Hi, connect the neg terminal to the body and put the cut off on that cable. Ground all the earth wires to the body

[@stewraz101]

Thanks for showing a 12v setup on a plan layout, rather than in the actual car where its impossible to follow things via video. One question please, the negative terminal on the fuse box, does this have to go back to the battery, or can it just go to an earth somewhere on the chassis?

[@MarkFugel]

ok Hugh...i have a stupid question...maybe i am missing something...i have a battery...connected to a bus box...then i added a switch panel with 6 rocker switches and usb and 12v plug. If i then want to hook up my led lights...do i hook it up to my bus box or to my switch panel or both. Whatever i did...i seem to have power to the led lights but they are always on and not able to turn on and off with the rocker switch. Any help is greatly appreciated. Your video was simply awesome!

[@deranocasper]

Nice video Hugh really good and well priced where did your prices come from for equipment many thanks I will look at it again great watch thanks for sharing 🍻👌💡💯👍

[@elliottasbury4667]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you so much!!

[@samuilpavlov]

Thank you for the great straightforward info! Best video on the topic! Did I get it right: if I get the CTEK D250SE I do not need a seperate solar controller? Thanks again!

[@NomaddUK]

That was a very tight, squeaky fart at 33:16. Took Hugh totally by surprise.

[@lauralane5366]

Hi, I have found your videos really helpful so thank you for that. Currently working on my 12v system in my conversion. I have 8 12v 3w LED spotlights. I have wired them in two sets of four in parallel using some wago connectors. I am struggling with a lot of flickering on a few of my lights. I have tried to re crimp connections, increase wire size and different fuse sizes but nothing has worked. Just wondering if you have any suggestions on what may be going wrong. Many thanks!

[@patrickh7368]

Fabulous explanation and details..thanks. I’m not a leccy expert but an engineer so educate myself before pressing ahead. Looking at the 3x different charge input to leisure battery, if all 3 are active is it possible that the battery “gets it from all angles” so to speak voltage wise ?

[@whysosalty]

great video, super helpful and possibly the best one out there currently.

[@jrewillis]

Excellent really helpful video. Thank you mate

[@rikkiesix]

Loved it. Very clear. Thx man

[@manouchehromari2483]

Very simple and helpful 🙏🙏👍🏻

[@Noobybaba]

Hi, thank you for a great insight into this. We are in the process of upgrading the living in a horse truck. How would I overcome the 24v charging system to allow a 12v leisure battery. Thanks in advance!

[@deanmelland8572]

Hi I'm new to all the camper van life but I defo want to do this instead of getting a sparky it's just way to expensive. We only need proper basic so we'll install puck spot lights into the ceiling. And a few spot lights shining down onto a little work surface. A couple of fans in the ceiling. A few usb sockets around the van. Sockets here and there that's it really and to be able to plug into a hook up when we go onto camp sites what will I need electric wise I love that battery your using just 1 battery I like that. Could you tell me what I'd need thank you for your time and patience

[@crysa9995]

You're brilliant! Thank you!

[@markjarvis9780]

I’m just about to wire my van conversion, and I’ve brought a kit and with is was a pre made control panel with what looks like built in fuses on the back. So in theory I don’t need the distribution board you wired into. Just a bit confused how to do it as most videos only show it by using the distribution board 🙈

[@HughTube]

I think I know the panel you're referring to with red fuse holders at the back. in this case you need one larger fuse on the positive in but yes each switch has its own fuse so no need for distribution board

[@thegrumpybusinessman3400]

Awesome video. Great stuff. Thank you.

[@juergen2261]

Great explanations !

[@jonathonmilliken8019]

Would you use a breaker switch instead of shut of switch between fuse box and battery? How do you determine what amperage if so? Or are these the same thing? Cheers for the layman's guide keep up the good work.

[@HughTube]

to simplify the setup you could 100% use a breaker switch: www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/1258/category/60 this would knock out two jobs with one stone. The amperage takes a bit of consideration, on the distribution board you need to add together all the fuses to find the total and then your breaker should be a little higher in amperage than this. so as an example: If I was using 6 ports, two with 15a fuses and the other four with 10a fuses then the total of all those is 70a so I would get an 80a switch breaker and use cable between the battery, switch and distribution board that can handle at least 90a. You also need to know what the max amps that the dist. board can handle but this one shown can handle 100a: www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/1052/category/63 so we would never overload it

[@danmark4038]

Great work ! What about a 50 amp fuse between the battery and the battery isolator?

[@HughTube]

You can add a fuse between the isolator and battery but it would need to be much higher than 50a for a lot of systems, especially if using an inverter. I would suggest more around the 150a range but this is all dependent on your system and usage

[@stephenmcateer4243]

Massive thanks, this is brilliant !

[@bjsorensen]

How do you determine the fuse size coming off the starter battery?

[@AcidDotCom]

You need to know what is the amperage that the leisure battery will be charged with. You will probably see that on the DC to DC relay documentation. Also, remember that the main job of the fuse is to protect the cable/wire, so it must be little 'weaker' then the cable itself. All appliances should be protected by their own fuses. I guess that this is your question here :) Unless you are actually asking for a fuse on a battery that goes to the starter...this is whole another story. these can vary from 250A to even 500A fuses and sometimes starters are connected directly to avoid any additional connections in the circuit (only in really big or power demanding engines though)

[@edwardbehan7295]

HI Hugh, thank you for this great upload, can i please ask, will the VCR charge both my leisure batteries or would i need 1 for each battery, thanks ever so much

[@Olly3pow]

Awesome, Thank you very much ✌🏽

[@davep8664]

I've only watched so far through and a lot of stuff is wrong, although it will work. Fuses are 20 amp, the switch for led strip is rated at 20 amp - which blows first, the fuse or the switch?! Also on the battery cut off you have the vsr, solar and fuse board on one side, and the battery on the other. So you can stop the battery being charged but cannot turn everything off. The sun comes out and your circuit become live regardless of the switch being on or off. Finally you rate the fuse to the cable, not to the item being powered. Although 25amp for a 12v power socket and 1 amp guage is rather steep. Potential is that gauge fails, cannot blow a 25amp fuse and well, fire!

[@HughTube]

Hi Dave, the switch for the control panel is rated at 25a. I know most of these switches are usually 20a but I found some 25a ones 41:37 . With the cut off switch as I mention it is there to completely isolate the battery I also mention 16:23 that you may want to add further isolator switches for each charge input. I don't rate the fuse to cable for everything its a mention so that people don't get fuses too big for the cable they use. 31:54

[@lifeboxedin2606]

Brilliant hugh, thanks

[@dpompian]

Dude THAT was a good video. We run a generator with our trailer because of the big A/C we use but I learned from your video that we'll need a storage battery and a means to charge it so we can have 12v. lighting and a 12v. source for the A/C thermostat. Is there a way to integrate the 7 pin connector from the truck to the 12v./charging system or is that not really a thing. BTW the 7 pin connector is what we use to connect the trailer to the truck here in the US.

[@boroldoi]

Thank you so much

[@mayamaxwell1988]

Love the videos Hugh! Just a quick question ... how do we cable size the grounding from the battery to chassis? Not sure if this is a stupid question and we are really over thinking things 😅? Thanks anyway

[@HughTube]

I depends on usage so as an example if you use an inverter your ground cable may come with your inverter and it would be much thicker. With the ground cable there isn't really any issue going too big so I would oversize, I use cable that can handle 140a

[@gashead2]

Wow, great information thank you

[@Sub_Divisions]

Great video mate love it.I have bought a converted van which I want to upgrade the electrics because there isn't any fuse box just inline fuses which isn't very practical or tidy also the main power cable from the van battery is very thin..A couple of questions I have are my leisure battery is a AGM 95ah what would you suggest the fuse/circuit breaker from the starter battery?.....I would prefer to have circuit breakers rather than fuses and my 2nd question is what gauge cable did you use in your video? Could I use 16mm2 ? Cheers Andy

[@GingerPhotographer]

Great video - Quick question: I have 2 x 95Ah AGM batteries in my van, I would like to view the status of the batteries - do you have a link to a recommended meter that I could install? Thank you in advance for any info.

[@monaghan3832]

Amazing video been looking for a 12v system video for ages, great knowledge and thank you for spending the time to make it.

[@daviddring8692]

Hugh I've converted my Campervan. Except for electrics At the moment all I want to do is use site electrics. No off grid Ive already put the mains Hook up on van. And run 3 core flex 2.5mm to a socket. But wanting to put another socket in & some lights. Running off site electrics Ive bought a busbar 6 way. What do I do with earth wire. There's only live & neutral in box. Do i need to get. Another small busbar just for the earth

[@bobd3330]

Tampa Florida check in Thanks