Off Grid Solar System Install For Buslife and Vanlife

Installing an off grid solar system in my friends school bus conversion. This system was designed to grow with the rig and the needs of the people living inside of it. If you are looking to live off grid in your van or bus this is the system for you. Solar does not need to be that hard so here are the links to the products I used.
⚡️ SOLAR SYSTEM COMPONENTS:
Victron MultiPlus: amzn.to/3fE9AVY
Victron Mppt: amzn.to/3fA7neq
Smart Shunt: amzn.to/3f6vaUc
Smart Battery Protect: amzn.to/2Rs4vs5
Large On/Off Switch: amzn.to/346ZDLs
MPPT On/Off: amzn.to/345zzk6
Batteries: amzn.to/341zLk3
Breaker: amzn.to/3fEr7gQ
Mega Fuse: amzn.to/3yucEwD
DC Panel: amzn.to/3bK9Ema
30 Amp Box: amzn.to/3oJ6hkD
Looking for a Solar Installation?
☀️ Talk to someone about your solar needs! Visit: jessupenergysolutions.com/
🚌 Find Your Perfect Bus
Get Our EBOOK - The Buslife Guide Choosing and Buying Your Bus:
navigationnowhere.com/discover/
✅ Subscribe To Follow Our Builds and Travels: / @navigationnowhere
🤗Join Our Patreon Community to Get Extra Content: / navigationnowhere
Check Out The Entire Bus Build Series HERE:
🎥 Ivan Build Series: • Short Bus - Build Series
Similar Videos:
🎥 I Bought A Bus: • Short Bus Conversion |...
🎥 Pre-Conversion Bus Tour: • Pre Bus Conversion Tin...
🎥 3-D Design Tour of Completed Ivan Bus Build: • School Bus Conversion ...
🎥 Installing A Bus Subfloor: • Installing the SKOOLIE...
🎥 Where to Find a School Bus For Sale: • Finding Bus Conversion...
🎥 Gutting School Bus Electrical: • Will The Bus Start Now...
🎥 What to Look For When Buying a Bus: • School Bus Buying Guid...
Looking To Buy A Bus?
🚌 Check Out Our FREE Bus Buyers Checklist: navigationnowhere.com/discove...
🚌 Check Out Our FREE Bus Builders Tool Guide: navigationnowhere.com/discove...
Current Special Offers:
⚡️ 5% OFF Pioneer Mini Split Air Conditioners:
Link: bit.ly/2EieZDs
Discount Code: Navigtion5
⚡️ 5% OFF Skoolie.com:
Link: www.skoolie.com
Discount Code: Navi5
🛠️ Bus Build Products:
✅Cabinet
Pocket Jig: amzn.to/3mQdFJk
Concealed Hinge Jig: amzn.to/33Om2gN
Edge Banding: amzn.to/3otDtv1
Banding Cutter: amzn.to/3gjcT4Y
✅Water
Inlet: amzn.to/3qxoJ04
Tank: amzn.to/37AnXH2
Filter: amzn.to/2JVvzfa
Pump: amzn.to/2JQssFc
Accumulator: amzn.to/2VHCDyw
Water heater: amzn.to/3fe0Cyj
✅Electrical
Fuse Block: amzn.to/2VJNZlx
SMY Lighting: amzn.to/3n2qUa1
12v USB Outlets: amzn.to/33OyltE
Puck Lights: amzn.to/3sSJtRa
✅Demo
Socket Set: amzn.to/3mPUxLs
Scrapper: amzn.to/3mPad1j
Heat Gun: amzn.to/2VKlzrJ
Grinder: amzn.to/3mOukNb
Eraser Wheel: amzn.to/39OSBzg
✅Road Safety
Safety Triangles: amzn.to/3m0A5qJ
Good Sam Roadside Assistance: bit.ly/3fsb45i
Scan Code Reader: amzn.to/3kX0YKQ
Headlamp: amzn.to/2V6XtqZ
Pig Mats: amzn.to/3lX3y4Q
✅Exterior
LED Tail lights: amzn.to/3ev9OfM
LED Reverse Lights: amzn.to/2Cb1rJ8
Side Flood Lights: amzn.to/32p6D6G
Head Lights: amzn.to/3fZrhP1
LED Relay: amzn.to/3jdopA6
LED Marker Lights: amzn.to/3fWtr1A
Light Bar: amzn.to/32XY9Dg
📸 Follow On Instagram for More Behind The Scenes Content: / navigationnowhere
This Media And Description Above May Contains Affiliate Links. If You Click On One Of Them, Navigation Nowhere May Receive a Commission At No Additional Cost To You. Thank You For Your Support.

[@whyyouasking9744]

We bought a bus, day before yesterday. I'm watching your every video!

[@navigationnowhere]

Thats awesome! Congrats!

[@jabarimckinsey981]

How is the build coming along?

[@TheViketoria]

You actually say 'actually' so much in this video 😂

[@KY4TRK]

All those metal straps over the batteries need to be pertected from contact with power Post in case of emergency accident. Rubber hose or heat shrink. Just a safety thought and reminder. Don't need a short short circuit with lithium batteries.

[@djwashx]

great job nice to see you help out!!!!!!!!

[@NumberJuanBus]

Awesome system!! Yes the Multiplus is the way to go 🙌

[@ksdog1018]

Wow, nice system. Love the plans for this bus as well

[@kateackerly6559]

That is downright pretty. I can actually make sense of what goes where and why. Vast contrast to my skoolie (which... Has intimidated me, I haven't tackled that, so I basically have a tent with a roll cage.). 👍🏽

[@marvinwilliams9870]

Great insight for solar 👍🏿

[@codyburch9965]

Another excellent instructional video! Thanks Michael! Love the layout of this bus. Thanks for making the solar install look practical and not too scary 🙌🏼👍🏾😁

[@ancientantics]

check our channel

[@nw7696]

Just a suggestion, seat belt material makes a much safer hold down for batteries, etc. opposed to plumbers tape. If cut with a hot knife or hot scraper, it won't fray from the ends. Love that roof raise! 😊👍🏻

[@joshfazenbaker5691]

Expensive batteries to go so cheap with that plumber's tape.

[@nw7696]

@@joshfazenbaker5691 exactly.

[@OpenCarryUSMC]

Yep I cringed when I saw a conductive metal strip being laid across the batteries like that. Especially in that orientation. Hard braking over time (let's face it rapid take offs in a skoolie aren't a thing) or an impact and those straps can end up as a direct short with the capability of creating fire or molten metal to then create a fire. It would be far better to put a 2x2 perimeter around the bottom to reduce any movement and a strap longitudinally between the terminals (preferable a non conductive one or at least insulated).

[@RJGilman1967]

Great video, thank you. Appreciate all the explanations. Peace.

[@greensnapper1602]

was cool would like to see once he is done with the bus... GO DALE #Go DALE

[@ChrisSeliga]

That setup isn't cheap, but it should last him a very long time and it's great quality stuff!!!

[@navigationnowhere]

That is true. It is a great system but won't give him any issues down the road.

[@davidowen888]

You da MAN 👌da powa man can 👍

[@user-th2jk2nv6n]

Real nice bus house. I love it. Him and his wife got a nice thang going on. Cant eait to meet yall on the road. Im allmost done with mine.

[@Badgeweefixstuff]

Awesome job very nice awesome video 👌🛠️🇨🇦

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks Badge!

[@briandavis9975]

Badge your the man.

[@bemccune7671]

Been watching your videos for a few months now. I'm picking up my bus first week of June. I think my solar layout will be almost exactly this. Thanks for all the wonderful info you share, as always.

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks. Best of luck with finding and picking up a bus.

[@kateburk2168]

I see a big old shop vac sitting there up on front.👍Great. Keeping all the sawdust etc cleared away makes for a class act! Question: Few weeks ago, on a bus tour video, it was mentioned that all electrical was run thru the ceiling to make it easier to track down & repair any problem. Your opinion?

[@danemmerich6775]

Great Video! That is best part of the build to me. Learning the Solar/Electrical components is the Brains, as you said!!! Being a Carpenter Contractor, the rest is easy, but the Brains is tricky for a Mcguyver like me. Awesome job. What would be great to see is an electrical schematic drawing of the set up. How much is that Solar set up in that bus?

[@caseycapps1591]

Love your videos! Keep on going

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks!

[@Carla486674]

Would love a tour of his bus when it’s completed.

[@navigationnowhere]

I know! It is going to be such a great style when it is done.

[@GirdHerd]

Since the solar array is not grounded, both positive and negative conductors (wires) need a circuit breaker disconnect between the panels and MPPT controller. I recommend a 2-pole mini-din breaker.

[@christopherwardlow6876]

Always amazed, at how talented you are. Thank You, for sharing all of your knowledge, and experience with us watching !!!

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks for watching and supporting the channel. Hope I can keep making videos for you.

[@phinitcheamak3816]

Like your project and tell what to buy thank you

[@mattdenneyccsbusdriver54]

Great video!! Is a batterly isolator okay for charging the house batteries or is a DC to DC charger a must have from the start?

[@kelseykretzschmar7479]

Love your videos! Been using them for about every step in my bus build, is there a link for the solar combiner box, did I miss it? I can’t find anything like it.

[@michaelcanto6175]

Looking like a Dream Michael, Nicely done.. would you tell me, how do you set up a vehicle for charging Lithiums?

[@mobilehomelife4028]

I don't suppose you are anywhere near Maine lol. Video is very helpful but for some reason I struggle a lot with electrical stuff, hope to put in solar this spring but will have to watch a ton more videos I admit I am not that mechanically savvy. I will check your channel a videos on solar, what I am looking for is a detailed video on the wiring and each component wired to, I am very, very much a novice in all this.

[@jameswynd3713]

Thats a nice work shop 🤓

[@navigationnowhere]

I know right 60x40 what a dream place haha

[@64maxpower]

You're really good. I'm impressed with your work. Aren't you originally from Toms River? I live in Bayville How much about is that set up? For the freedom it gives you the cost is cheap. I need to have a system to keep my RV cool enough to leave my dogs alone in the summer

[@lauratibbles6598]

Great job

[@ferraritrip]

Love the roof raise!!

[@navigationnowhere]

He did a great job on that one!

[@glennman9890]

I wish you were on the west coast. I'd hire you to install my system!

[@nareshbalgobin8101]

Great job buddy 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@fastskipper777]

I would suggest you put more bracing (thicker wood) at the bottom of the platform over the wheel well where the batteries are. Also, you can't just compare the static weight support vs. moving. You have to think of the worst case scenario if there was an accident. P = M x V where p = momentum and M=weight v=velocity. If the battery weighs around 45 lb and you are going at 50 mph, in metric it's kg - m/s (meter / second). It's around 455 kg - m/s for one battery. You have 4 batteries. That's a lot of momentum. Kinetic energy = v^2 x (m/2) so, it's around 65,280 Joules on one battery. That's a lot of kinetic energy. You need more bracing. Even a simple battery cage supporting the sides made with welded angle iron would be better.

[@navigationnowhere]

Totally agree, the bus is still getting build. I mentioned in the video that he will be building a bed and cabinets around everything. It was just the timing that I was able to help him install it all. Thanks for the tip.

[@phannah1584]

Great information

[@navigationnowhere]

Thank you

[@GirdHerd]

Great install. I just subscribed to your channel. Could you please include a link for the UV-protected PV wire on the roof? I've never seen it before and want to use it for my solar array install.

[@kathleenthorene5846]

Enjoyed your video and I would love to see his finished build.👌👍

[@navigationnowhere]

Me too. I hopefully will be able to get back to see it

[@ronaldsnider8078]

Enjoyed most of your bud, but you Qaida thing how you wired it. On complete

[@Scorpiomary]

Really nice job. I can imagine the bus done. I know I would like to see the finished bus. Take care. Blessings Peace

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks Mary, I hope to get back to see his bus before he heads out on the road.

[@Scorpiomary]

@@navigationnowhere 😎💜👍

[@billytaylor5912]

my brain is fried hahah im going to be starting my build in a few months and I find your videos absolutely informative

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks, I tried to be detailed and show the steps I too to build my rig. Hopefully it gives you some ideas.

[@celestialrvliving]

Loved this video. I have the multiplus and all the VictronConnect components along with 4 batteries under my bed. It’s much more compact than your install. It’s workes great for over a year now. I love it. Never have to think about it. It just works. I love the way you explain the components so I makes a little sense to the novice.

[@janosvarga962]

Might be just me but i never put that under the bed. Batteries, mppt, ic, generates noise, heat, and electric field all the time.

[@maryhart637]

Looking sweet....waaay beyond my pay grade!!😂🤩

[@larryl4881]

Have a good weekend

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks you as well

[@NYTROeast]

Mike do you have a list of this stuff somewhere so others know what to buy for their system?

[@swissyodelbear]

Nice job.....

[@lorischneider2832]

Love watching your videos but I still don’t understand Greek. I know you need an inverter but what is it’s purpose? What is a mpp whatever snd what’s its purpose?

[@pdarling6812]

Great to have a friend who can help each other, great job🧰🪛🔌🛠🦋

[@Bentleybabygirl]

Nj yeah

[@chasing_tail_rv]

You mentioned getting UV resistant wire, what size/gauge are you using?

[@johnathansparks1678]

Is there any reason one would opt for a 50amp hookup vs a 30amp hookup. My idea is that if you wanted any 240volt appliances you would need a 50amp service. Or if you wanted to run a bunch of stuff when hooked up to a shore tie a 50amp would be a better option. Thoughts?

[@karenriggle5435]

Would also be good to run your roof wires under solar panels or roof deck as much as possible would protect it even more plus it keeps your roof cooler in the sunshine, like a cold roof....I think you found your niche in life

[@navigationnowhere]

Yes it would, he will be installing panels over that whole area eventually.

[@lrfox49]

When can we see his build or finished product?

[@samfish6938]

he should run wires before insulating wall and ceiling

[@SimicSamurai]

Is the 30 Amp input box for connecting to the alternator?

[@paulinekenyon7623]

Hi you are doing this bus build but what are you going to do with your other bus ? Love your channel

[@navigationnowhere]

The other bus is used by my family now on trips.

[@sifusays9242]

What about the gases from the batteries?

[@The.juan.fernandez]

what size gauge is the wiring on the solar setup?

[@theracinghotel]

Do you help non friends say in nj do electrical installs?

[@TomJones0065]

Love your Builds, I am learning! What I would like is a SIMPLE Solar Set up for my Bus Build. I do not need anything Major, My bus is a simple Build for my needs and wants, Not a BIG Build Like RV style. Just my own get away. But I would like some simple Solar Installed, Any IDEAS what and OR WHERE! Pref Less than $1000.00 Thanks ANYONE any info Would help! Be Safe!!

[@miawindley6062]

How long did it take you to wire everything up?

[@SquaficleDude]

I have an old 1976 C-60 bus I want to convert to live in. I'm only going to be powering lights, a mini fridge, and a charging area for my laptop and phone- with the possibility of trickle charging my bus' battery. Recommendation for the best entry-level way to go, with cost efficiency?

[@jhemnes1]

The only thing those all in one products is when it's goes out you lose everything... Where if your inverter out whatever goes out you just have to replace that one part

[@AL_Traveler]

look into using bus bars instead of cablers.

[@xjinit]

Why did you guys end up going in parallel instead of in series?

[@bethsheartsandgiraffes3619]

Wowowowow i feel incredibly i mean incredibly dumb... I just realized why u named ur bus Ivan... I never thought about the name at all, maybe that's why, but damn I feel stupid. Besides all that... it's a pretty cool name. I literally was thinking, I can't remember why he named his new bud Ivan since his first was Navi you'd think he pick another traveling type name, lol and thats when it hit me. Wow. And my phone is filled with nothing but word games and I love crossword puzzle books📚.

[@user-le2jx8to3r]

Hi Kenny 62 from nky I'm in Virginia now I have a small shuttle bus I'm living out of for 2 years I need air condition how much total cost of the solar system and where can I get it installed see you on the road

[@samfish6938]

what floor insulation is in bus,

[@melissahoffman4687]

In the future Mike are you going to do electric bus conversions to rvs?

[@navigationnowhere]

That would be awesome.

[@davidohara7669]

Articulating the solar racks in at least one axis vastly increases the efficiency at morn and eve as much as 300%.

[@fabienneontheroad4384]

Is there more info anywhere on the exact wiring you generally use on builds? I can’t figure out what wiring to get

[@chasing_tail_rv]

Same, I am having issues trying to find the wire that was used on the roof, there is no link.

[@pedromonge3102]

how much would the same solar system cost me on my home bus

[@marzzb3784]

What the minimum install for off grid? Help

[@Methoes123]

What was the total cost of the solar system?

[@woa2208]

Do you have a link to the combiner box?

[@navigationnowhere]

Check am solar .com

[@PandemoniumC1]

He stated his bus is now 11ft6 or something like that, is there a resource out there, or a general rule of thumb, about how tall bridges and overpasses are so he doesn't need to worry about trashing his bus on something like that?

[@navigationnowhere]

max road height is 13.6 tall but I would not suggest going that high haha

[@rmontena4583]

do you also follow Will Prowse?

[@La_Volpa]

Can you connect shore power to the victron multi?

[@navigationnowhere]

Yes

[@Maddiehere89]

Mike how much does the solar system components cost? From the solar panels to the DC switches?

[@mattivirta]

normal solar panel cost 100w panel less than 100$ 300W panel less than 300$ this mean panel cost 1W/1$ charger 10A 10$ 50A 60$ normal. MPPT charger not other need buy, inwerter if use 110 or normal grid 230V stuff, 20-70$ 1000W-6000W. battery have only super expencive invetication.

[@TheMarukeru]

The components he uses in the video, which are listed in the description, add up to about $2,499.33 USD through the amazon links. This does not include the cost of batteries, solar panels OR the cable/wiring. I know this doesn't fully answer your question, but I hope it helps.

[@2hotscottpro]

Probably 40% less 2 years prior.I was eyeballing a 3k inverter for 600 that shot up to $1k. All the other components probably followed that price jump.Copper wire is like gold now!Metal roofs up 400%

[@Bentleybabygirl]

Do U build buses cuz

[@drewp1974]

So use Victron instead of Renergy ? 👍

[@navigationnowhere]

Both companies have good components and you can build a solid system with either. In this case, I was installing a mostly victron system.

[@aa999xyz]

looking great, is he going with a mini split air conditioner

[@navigationnowhere]

Right now he is not going to be installing any AC. He might add one in the future. Not sure which kind.

[@kingwah9009]

I so wish i could afford a solar system like that . I currently have dc power in my caravan however im building it out like a tiny home and living in it at the same time . Very slow going considering i have zero income lmao .

[@gavinjames695]

Love your videos, except for the fact that they all have SO. MANY. ADS.

[@navigationnowhere]

Blake had a local company in NJ spray the bus. I don't know too much about the details or pricing. I got my bus Ivan spray foamed by a company in upstate NY. It was around $1000 for 3 inch of foam. Hope that helps.

[@tyler-morrison]

What are your thoughts on when to use / skip a battery tub? I noticed the batteries in this build are strapped directly to plywood

[@imnotcrazy4456]

metal straps holding down the batteries look too close to the terminals!!!!

[@RichardPyle86]

I would be hesitant to use the metal straping to secure the batteries, if the batteries were to somehow shift and touch the terminals, thats a fire waiting to happen IMHO

[@navigationnowhere]

They are passed through the holds designed by the manufacturer so they can’t move and Blake will be building more as he finished the interior.

[@RichardPyle86]

@@navigationnowhere ok thanks for the reply

[@mattivirta]

yes can do but who support all battery to me i not can buy battery wery expensives all other have cheap and can buy.

[@MattThie1]

Do you think it is a good idea to mount all of your electrical components to FUEL?(Wood.) Remember Fire = Heat + Oxygen/air + Fuel. If you remove any of those components there is no fire. I know it is easier to work with wood but metal is a much safer way to mount electrical components which can fail with sparks and heat in the high current systems that are used in low voltage solar and high capacity batteries. Just food for thought.

[@briandavis9975]

Maybe he could put a fireball extinguisher in the cabinet they work amazingly check them out.

[@MattThie1]

With a metal box you aren't risking your life when you are in bed above the electrical cabinet and that ball goes off too late or not at all.

[@willc4922]

Shocked that you couldn't get someone with free or at least 50% discount to tag there supply site or brand.... crazy.... your page is popular enough that you should be able to network that.... I'd think at least?

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks for the support. This time around I was just helping an old friend during his build. I am thankful he let me film it to share.

[@nixhixx]

Brilliant to do all that OUT of the bus, rather than doing the gymnastics to do it inside...

[@navigationnowhere]

I have learned my lesson from doing it the other way too many times. haha

[@CS-uc2oh]

Mentally, we've got to stop being lazy people always looking for an all-in-one. That victron inverter combo has 3 points of failure in it. You chose it out of pure laziness. That thing is incredibly expensive and if one feature stops working, you'll be replacing the whole unit. Don't you see that? Don't you see how foolish that is? All because you're too lazy to wire up 3 components dedicated to a single function which makes more sense than an all-in-one... I'm beginning to feel like the skoolie community really is full of society's laziest people.

[@christinaw6]

Hey from Toms River! 🚐🌊💚

[@navigationnowhere]

Hey!

[@sophiemarcaurele]

Mike, I wonder if you’ll see this question and hopefully answer it... 🤔 I just watched another video where a couple doing their conversion saw water and had a leak, so they had to remove the electrical panel they just installed, undo the batteries, unscrew everything, etc to get behind it. I was already planning to build my electrical system vertically into some utility closet, with the components mounted on top and the batteries stacked to the board underneath, sideways or on top of each other with dividers of some sort (shelves?) Seeing their issue got me thinking, how about mounting that whole electrical panel unit on a slide out? This way I can just slide the whole thing out of the way if I have to check behind for any reason, without having to unplug and unscrew anything. Sounds feasible and practical, no? 🤔🤗⚡️💪🏻⚒🚐

[@checkingoutgypsymike2075]

There are a few videos of builds mounted on hand carts for portable use, if you have the room and it's well strapped down it seems like it would be fine.

[@salvadorblascogonga8204]

buenas noches. yo no entiendo el ingles y no se lo que as dicho pero viendo como estas trabajando veo muchas cosas. que estas montando los paneles en paralelo en vez de en serie , lo mismo que con las baterías , tienes 12 voltios pero muchos amperios/hora. yo como estudiante de energías renovables el profesor nos a demostrado que si lo montas como tu as montado tiendes a comprar cables mas gordos. por que tienen que pasar muchos amperios. por el contrario si tu lo que instalas son en serie puedes reducir los cables al mínimo y abaratar la compra de cables. y seguirá funcionando. este es mi correo si quieres mas información [e-mail]