EP15 | Part 1 | Van Electrics install 12v Panel & Split Charge Relay

[@daviddoyle5540]

I truly appreciate your explanation on the electrics an in particular the control panel. I've watched 100's of "How to" videos searching for this info but they either cut to when it's done with a lousy explanation or they go into a time lapse when it comes to the details and then I'm still left scratching my head.

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hey David! Wow! That is a really great comment and thanks for taking the time to watch the video. So glad you found it helpful… To be honest when I was doing my own research I found the same as you so I wanted to try and cover as much as I could on the video 👍 So glad to hear it’s hitting the mark… Are you doing your own build also? What are you working on a transit custom too?

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Also David - I don’t know if you have watched the later videos but I had issues with the normal split charge relay that was in these video as my van had a smart alternator so I can to switch out for a CTEK DC/DC charger instead. Juts to keep in mind if you planning the electrics. I did do a video on the CTEK install too if that might be useful also 👍

[@daviddoyle5540]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm knitting out a citroen dispatch which I pick up in a few days.

[@michaelohehir3779]

Thank you for an excellent presentation, really clear, even a fool like me could understand it, looking forward to part two as that is how I am powering my conversion.

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Ah thanks 👍 really appreciate the comment and glad the video was useful! Good luck with your build 😃

[@aucourant9998]

Really excellent. Thank you very much. I've just noticed the comments below about the Ford van 'smart alternator' and the DC to DC charger instead of the split charger. I'm glad I read down. I hope you will be doing an update soon including the solar panel.

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hi - thanks for checking out the video and the comment 👍 Yes, the DC to DC charger was a big lesson… The normal relay “worked” but wasn’t consistent with the voltage etc… so it was the right thing to do to switch out… Absolutely if we go for solar I’ll do an update and get a video posted… Are you doing a conversion? What other videos do you think might be useful?

[@aucourant9998]

@@TransitCustomCamper I will be converting a Transit Connect long base and will be installing a solar panel too. It's a long way off, but I'm doing as much research as possible to get ready for it.

[@TransitCustomCamper]

@@aucourant9998 ah cool! Yes I was the same before I started mine becoming addicted to KZbin van tours and tutorials and part of the reason I put together the build channel too 👍 I think my next video will be on the things I learnt and some of the mistakes and what I’d do differently too… Plus maybe materials and cost.. Which a few other people have asked me about too 👍 thanks again and good luck with the build!

[@aucourant9998]

@@TransitCustomCamper That sounds great. Looking forward to it. Maybe you could explain the DC to DC charger as well.

[@daviddoyle5540]

@@TransitCustomCamper I'm starting my conversion in a couple of weeks. I've watched all of Greg Virgoes videos many times over and William Prowse

[@JohnSmith6103]

I'm looking at getting a similar switch setup, my only issue is running multiple appliances from it such as lights, fridge, taps and usb sockets at the same time will create a high amp draw. The one I'm looking at says the max per circuit is 15A, but the input wire from the battery does look big enough to handle multiple circuits running 15A at the same time. Is this something you looked into? Thanks

[@kieranevans7917]

Hi mate I noticed on your video you said about wiring the positives that are already fused on the control panel into a separate fuse board, I.e my roof lights I want to wire them into one of the switches then off to a separate fuse board, would I be right in saying I would connect the live from the lights to the live on the switch then from the switch to a fuseboard? I understand that the control panel is already fused, but I was thinking of just adding a separate fuse board because I could use more appliances in the future if I needed. Thanks 👍

[@kieranevans7917]

Also if I had a separate fuseboard, the positive and negative that is supposed to go to the leisure battery on the control panel am I right in saying I'd connect them straight to the positive and negative on the fuse board then run a separate wire positive & negative from the leisure battery to the positive and negative on the fuse board to create my ciruit so I'm not limited to only 5 switches in future I could wire in more straight from the fuse board👍

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hey Kieran - thanks for the comment. I have to be totally honest with you I am not 100% on the wiring for a separate fuse board and the control panel and wouldn’t want to give a bum steer on this. However, what you are planning is also what I want to do too! Once I have done more research and tested I’ll let you know 👍 Sorry I can’t confirm your plan direct but hope you understand I would want to give advice I wasn’t confident with especially on the electrics

[@markjarvis9780]

Hi bud. What size fuse did you use from the battery to the split charge then from that to the leisure battery? Also what size for the one from the isolator switch to the switch board? Thanks 👍🏻

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hi mate - they came in the kit from Wired Campers and 100Amp fuses for split charge if I recall 👍 From isolator to switch I can’t recall now sorry! Seems like a while since I wired it all up. I remember finding a video based on my set up and then fused accordingly… I would get it all checked out too… last thing you want is melting wires! Thanks for comment and checking out the videos 👍

[@markjarvis9780]

@@TransitCustomCamper thanks for the reply. Appreciate it 👍🏻

[@martday5423]

Hi where did you buy the 5 gang? These seem good do they come with the correct fuse for each connection? Such as light switch what would be the correct fuse. Water pump correct fuse?

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hey Mart - thanks for the comment and checking out the video 👍 I got the full electrics 12v and 240 in kit form from a company called Wired Campers. This included the 12v control panel and the i line fusses. You can switch out the fuse dependent on what you wiring back to to suit your needs. I didn’t show this on my video as it would be different for each build. I put the link to wired campers below. Not sure if they would supply the panel separate? Or might be able source from the usual suspects 👍 www.wiredcampers.co.uk

[@martday5423]

@@TransitCustomCamper thanks will check them out 🙂

[@danscanlon7083]

Great piece of work. What split charge did you go for?? I’ve got at 2016 crew cab looking to do the same so will have to look at the smart alternator issues cheers Dan 👍

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hi Dan - thanks for checking out the videos and the comment! So initially I went for a “normal” split charge relay but I have decided to switch it out for a DC to DC and gone for a CTEK unit. On my 2014 the split charge was kicking in but I was getting inconsistent voltage so I think the CTEK will be batter bet. Plus longer term I think we planning solar panels and the CTEk will be future proof. I’ll be posting a video on the CTEK install next few days 👍

[@danscanlon7083]

@@TransitCustomCamper great thank you very much for the reply your videos have been a great watch. Will look into that recommendation today 👍

[@TransitCustomCamper]

@@danscanlon7083 - Hi Dan - I have just installed the CTEK unit today and all good and working with the smart alternator on the van… I’ve just posted the install video here if you want to take a look kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2isdp17gLh5eKs

[@danscanlon7083]

@@TransitCustomCamper already watched it 🤣 giving me lots of stuff to think through and decide what’s best for the van. One thing that’s racking my brains though it says wire to alternator. Is that just wiring straight to the main battery as that’s where it’s getting the feed from and the piggy back fuse you use did that come with the cteck??

[@TransitCustomCamper]

@@danscanlon7083 ah - OK - so the CTEK positive A is wired back to the positive terminal on your main van battery. When if refers to alternator it’s just as your main van battery gets it’s charge when running from the alternator 👍 so essentially the alternator will be charging both batteries (if needed) when the engine is running. Also the piggy back fuse holder I had to get separately. I picked it up from Halfords, was £5.

[@sbirchy1000]

What size fuses did you use in the split charger positives?

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hi Daisy - They came as part of a kit from a company called Wired Campers. Just had a look on their site to confirm and it’s 100Amp fuses. Link to the kits below if it’s any use too 👇 www.wiredcampers.co.uk/collections/custom-work/products/complete-camper-van-electrics-system-12v-240v

[@jackjack3902]

hi many amps were the split charger fuses from battery to split charger cheers

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hey Jack - it the original kit that got from wired campers that was just the standard split charge relay the fuses were 100amp 👍 when I then did the install of the CTEK had to switch out for 30amp… as you know this was a DIY install so disclaimer from me and would make sure you seek advice from a professional too based on your own install 👍

[@MattLethargic]

Not sure if you've had any issues yet, but a lot of people have issues with a split charger on Transit Customs as they have a "smart alternator" and you might need a DC to DC charger instead

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hey Matt! Thanks for the comment.. Yes for sure I heard this too.. So what I did was check if my model had a smart alternator by checking the battery with a voltmeter first on start up and then after the engine had been running to see if there was voltage change… In my case it was OK and not a smart alternator after testing… My van is 2014 so I think just on the verge of Euro6 so “just” got away with it as the DC/DC when I checked like a Ctek was almost £250 on its own… hopefully it will be OK.. but thanks for the shout out on it too! Really very much appreciated 👍

[@MattLethargic]

@@TransitCustomCamper ah brilliant, good to know there's any easy way to check

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hi Matt - Just an update as it has turned out having issue with the split charge relay! So I am having to switch out for a DC to DC CTEK unit now anyway! It’s an extra expense but as we are planning solar panels at some point… that’s not too bad 👍

[@danscanlon7083]

@@TransitCustomCamper I’m looking to buy mine this week and start the build what swayed you to the ctek over rivals like victron??

[@TransitCustomCamper]

@@danscanlon7083 to be honest I didn’t do too much extensive research on the options… I had seen and heard good things about the CTEK so knew it would be a good solution… Let me know what you go for… I am planning another conversion 😃 got the bug… so I might do different products and a different set up for the next one 👍

[@lch7417]

Great job. What size leisure battery did you use.

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Hey Lch 👍 I went for a 95ah from Halfords in UK..It’s Ok for how we plan to use the van and our budget … Although I think the more Ah you can go for I rekon that’s a winner 👍

[@lch7417]

I have gone for a 110ah. So hopefully that will be plenty. I’m opted to my set up under the twin passenger seat as only use the van as a day van not a camper. Will have to post some pictures when its done.

[@TransitCustomCamper]

@@lch7417 ah cool - yeah.. I was thinking that for the battery but we might be going for a heater at some point in the future so wanted leave under the passenger seat plus we needed a bit of extra storage under there too 👍

[@AchikSarih]

Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@casamorag]

🇬🇧🇬🇧👍

[@TransitCustomCamper]

🇬🇧 👍

[@TransitCustomCamper]

Thanks 🇬🇧 👍