DIY Camper Van Electrical System | Comprehensive Start to Finish Install

[@GapRecordingsNamibia]

One thing if I may, I would suggest using a permanent marker to mark all nuts, studs and screw heads to make sure that there is no vibrational movement when checking....Other than that, absolutely perfect install. Very very well done.

[@MoserMakes]

Thanks! That is a good tip - thanks for sharing.

[@andrewinaustintx]

That's an impressive install. Everything is neat and tiddy. I have an older tiny slide-in truck camper and decided to punt on having shore power capabilities. I went with a similar solar and dc to dc install that is smaller to what is shown in the video. For my 110 volt AC needs - I rely on a Bluetti power station that can be recharged from the LiFePO4 leisure battery in the camper.

[@SASouthwing]

Well done Sam! I especially like that you used different brand components. Too many professionals out there who only want to use a single brand for everything such as Victron, etc. Subscribed.

[@MoserMakes]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnj4094]

@@MoserMakes considering that there is electromagnetic wave radiation coming from many AC related equipment is this safe to peoples health and such a cramp area to spend hours close to it?

[@recoblade1465]

The reason most people want to use the same brand is because a lot of these devices that have apps that you can monitor them through and using the same means you use one app to get a clear picture of what your system is doing also vitron has been in the game for 49 years and they are still the leader in their field

[@TexasroadrunnerLLC]

What a great tutorial video, I have a 2018 Ford transit 250 I will be using for a cargo business and I need something like that to connect my little fridge, microwave, computer, etc…thanks for that step by step explanation, you did a great job…!!

[@Kevjann]

Hats of to you, mister. I like your eye for quality. Very neat and tidy work you did there!

[@marvinpenick3859]

great info I like the fact that you gave the torque info. I just told my son that almost all nuts have a torque number, it's just finding that info.

[@ericdouglas1902]

Maybe the best campervan electrical tutorial I have seen. You've made it beautifully simple thanks!

[@MoserMakes]

Thanks! happy to hear that

[@norcalvandweller8401]

Just found you and so glad, your electrical tutorials are simply the best Van Build electrical explanations on the internet Everything explained slow enough you can follow along without skipping steps Building my van and this might allow me to do this myself instead of being forced to pay someone, THANKS Subscribed and following from Sacramento,Ca

[@sithutun7604]

THE BEST! Everything is detailed and neat.

[@alearnedlife]

Such a beautiful installation! Great attention to detail!

[@88Spint]

Really tempted to build my own... My entire life is just kitchen bed and computer... looked over my power consumption and it's 4.5kwh daily without me tryin and with a solar panel getting on average 2kwh, if I get a van with space for 3 and 8kwh battery-ish, it sounds like Van life is made for me. That said I know nothing about the electrical needs I might actually have, nor the water needs... and I have zero experience in doing anything with electrics other then following along tutorials. Not to mention doing anything with water or waste. So many worries just to be a bit freer and with a little lower cost of living. Savings could be huge tho... Wonder if people ever have trouble leveling their van or if you just get used to being on less then flat ground.

[@iko359]

Well done. Excellent video, clear and detailed explanation!

[@EricCochran-z9u]

Question for you? How many circuits will the 300watt hour system hold? I.E. is it strong enough to allow enough output for a fridge, couple light circuits, 4-6 outlets, ect! This is by far one of the most helpful videos I’ve watched on electrical housing/wiring for a van conversion. Thank you

[@BrianThomas]

Great video. Thank you. 6:15 you forgot to talk about the fuse thats inline with the battery monitor wire.

[@MoserMakes]

The fuse on the battery monitor wire comes pre-installed on the wire so it isn't something you have to buy or add yourself so that makes it easy.

[@jenniferl350]

That particular renogy dc-dc unit is actually voltage sensing - no ignition wire needed as long as you aren't connecting to a smart alternator.

[@MoserMakes]

Hey good catch! I missed that the Renogy unit includes the voltage sensing for traditional relays. This install was in a newer transit which does have a smart alternator and needs the ignition signal. The Victron units seem to have a leg up here as in their configuration settings you can choose the alternator type (smart or traditional) and fine-tune the voltage sense settings. But I think this renogy unit is really great for combing both solar and alt charging features in one fairly compact package.

[@jenniferl350]

@@MoserMakes I really wish Renogy offered this unit with a higher voltage capability on the mppt. The 25v limit prevents wiring in series, which is a bummer. It's the only thing stopping me from using them. The new Orion 50amp dc-dc looks great, hoping they put out an isolated version soon.

[@mikefinnerty1852]

Wow, great video. Very neat install.

[@Ms.Frankenbuilder]

Impressive build, I am starting my van electrical, have done a few other ones for sheds. Won't be doing anything this complex.

[@stingerboardsfoilswings739]

This is awesome, I owe you some beers !!😊

[@TheMissouriBowhunter]

So basically what you are saying is that no dedicated ground wire needs to be ran to the starter battery from the DC-DC unit? Basically the circuit comes from the starter battery, and completes through the negative out of the DC-DC unit, to the negative bus bar to the chassis ground.

[@MoserMakes]

That is correct and that is how Renogy recommends hooking up this unit in their installation guide.

[@van_mod1]

Nice work Sam!

[@ireloaded9]

What size system would you recommend going from 12v to 24v. Love all your content. So much attention to detail. Which state are you located?

[@MoserMakes]

That's a good questions! I actually considered doing a 24V on the last full conversion I did (the promaster) mainly because I wanted to try one but it ended up not making sense to. With 24V you can reduce the size of the wiring since higher voltage means lower current at the same power. 24V is good if you have long runs of wire or multiple large DC appliances (air conditioner, etc) which you can buy in 24V versions rather than 12V versions. The problem is that a lot of camper components only come in 12V, so you usually end up also needing a 24V to 12V converter to power those things (or have it power a separate 12V fuse panel).

[@ireloaded9]

@@MoserMakes which state are you located?

[@MoserMakes]

@@ireloaded9 I'm in central Texas

[@chartmann43]

@@MoserMakesdang! Austin by chance? I’m moving back to Austin this summer and praying my van makes the trip! Haha!

[@MoserMakes]

@@chartmann43 I'm not too far from Austin. If you need some help sorting out the electrical in your van send me an email at [e-mail]

[@Krissco2]

Fantastic build and guide!

[@MoserMakes]

Thank you kindly!

[@michaelvasquez4460]

Do you have to still ad the ground wire if you’re installing this system in a cargo trailer where the stock interior lights are already ground.

[@luedog8385]

damn that was the most professional looking system i seen. you should strat a bussiness 😂

[@MissyLockard]

I really hope someone answers my question: If I am JUST charging the batteries on shore power, do I need to connect to the alternator?

[@MoserMakes]

No, you only need need to connect to the alternator if you want that as a charge source. If you only need shore charging (no solar and no alternator) then the only charging component that matters is the inverter charger. If you also want solar (but no alternator) I would recommend changing the renogy DCC50S charger I use in the video to a dedicated solar charge controller instead.

[@mihamaker]

Its nice and meticulous work. Though, this would be better in 24V system with one additional battery or minus one and more PV.

[@chartmann43]

Omg I need so much help with my electrical system in my van! It was already installed by previous owner and now I have no idea what to do to get it organized properly

[@auwilliam22]

I noticed in the video you used SOK batteries but on your wiring diagram and component list, you listed battle born. Which SOK batteries are these. Thanks

[@MoserMakes]

These are the SOK 12V 100Ah (I’ll add link below). Any similar 12V LiFePO4 battery could be swapped in. www.us.sokbattery.com/product-page/sok-100ah-12v-lifepo4-deep-cycle-battery

[@EnclaveDesigns]

What do I need/not need if I don't want shore power?

[@MoserMakes]

The inverter charger can be swapped out for an inverter only (which can be found cheaper). Then skip the shore power inlet port, breaker and wiring leading to the AC input of the inverter charger on the diagram, but everything else can stay the same.

[@theresawilson1824]

Excellent tutorial! thanks!!

[@samuelspornhauer1019]

Does the vehicle engine charge the system?

[@jag1963]

It does via the alternator when the engine is running. However if you run your 3 batterys down it will not use the vans battery so that you can still start your vehicle.

[@bgzwlz5119]

I would like to build out a van at some point but I know absolutely nothing about the solar systems, so I have been obsessed with watching videos and trying to get some knowledge. I think that I would like to go with a 48V system but unfortunately my understanding of a 12V system is very limited. As a former teacher I can confidently say that this video is absolutely the best one I have seen, as you make it easier to understand. I will check out your other videos, but if you haven’t created a video about building a 48V system, do you have any plans to do so, possibly with Victron products?

[@oasisauto]

Thank you for excellent information here.. just have a question Idrive 18 wheelers tractor trailer… all I care about AC unit like split unit ..can work in system like yours and give me 8 to 10 hours … is it possible?

[@douggee3610]

When I plug in shore power does the battery charge

[@MoserMakes]

Yes. With the inverter charger the batteries will get charged when shore power is connected.

[@ThewonderingwildMann]

@MoserMakes Does it matter if you have more or less solar panels. Im guessing that its better to have more for faster charging but due to the wires and the spead that the inverter and other parts can take?

[@sokbattery]

Great video ! Is this SOK 12v 100Ah battery ?

[@MoserMakes]

Yes it is!

[@chrisdaly4443]

Hi I downloaded the PDF do you have a breakdown of each component for example the model of the shunt

[@MoserMakes]

Hi! There is a complete parts list on the lower part of this page: www.mosermakes.com/articles/camper-van-standard-electrical-system As far as the shunt, it is included with the battery monitor (it doesn't need to be purchased separately).

[@ewetuber186000]

Nice install!

[@richresroc]

Hi what material did you use for the frame? Does it need to be fire/heat treated?

[@jonsmail8082]

What model inverter and is it only 12volt or can it do 24volt?

[@MoserMakes]

Here I used the Xantrex Freedom XC 2000. It is available in either a 12V or 24V version.

[@youtubehandol]

3 batty's parallel but you didn't fuse them in between each? Man... I spent a lot on 3x victron power ins if I didn't need to!

[@MoserMakes]

It doesn't hurt to fuse each one individually (and definitely adds some extra protection) but it's also acceptable (and fairly common in campers) to fuse the whole parallel group at one point.

[@youtubehandol]

@@MoserMakesI guess that's the BMS job at the end of the day isn't it

[@NorthEastFPV]

great vid with good info 👍👍

[@KennedyManson]

What thickness plywood did you use for the frame? How did you make the battery tray sturdy enough to handle bumps on the road?

[@Krissco2]

Am I reading the torque numbers correctly? 10:38 for example. 21 newton meters seems reasonable, but 186 foot pounds is enormous. Also, these aren’t equivalent so either I’m reading it wrong or a scaling factor is incorrect in your conversion. Edit: the capital “I” in the font looked like lowercase “l” to me and I didn’t read the rest. Inch pounds. 😂 makes much more sense!!

[@MoserMakes]

Yep the second number is in-lbs!

[@Tsskevik]

Its not good practice to run the voltage sense wire for the shunt current sense with the main DC wire into the busbar, the introduction of electromagnetic noise is pretty high in high current levels introducing inductances, giving faulty measurements.

[@williamchan3623]

Thanks!

[@DreamVisionCrafts]

Great job looks fantastic. Is hat a kit that comes with all the component needed.

[@BrianThomas]

23:01 Here would be a great opportunity to install some power monitoring iot beakers.

[@maytube102]

excellent!

[@aaronag7876]

OMG the thickness of the cables, for a van ? They look like industrial size wiring lol Just scares me, the thought of all that extra weight for a van? I have 1x110ah old school leisure battery, 1x285w solar panel, a cheap Chinese 30a solar charger and a 50a breaker for the battery, using 6mm wire to connected them all. I also use twin core 12v (red and black, wrapped in black cable) wire for all connections to the roof fan, lights, extra USB. There is no "hook up system" but it all works and prob only cost me about £250 total lol

[@ry2zen]

It all depends on how much load you expect. In his case he's using a 2000W inverter, so that requires larger wiring.

[@chrisdaly4443]

Hi Sam, just downloaded the pdf for this install do you have a breakdown of the components for the shunts and + and - connection terminal block sizes and rating

[@Brigand231]

Great, now when I get near the electrical section at the hardware store I'm going to be afraid of feral (ferrule) wires!

[@MoserMakes]

hahah! Another van builder I know used to joke that ferrules should be called wire un-ferals since they tame the wire strands haha

[@outthere9370]

Great stuff thanks but why the complication of 3 x 100 Ahr batteries & not just 1 x 300 Ahr?

[@MoserMakes]

A single 300 Ah battery could work as well. If doing one larger battery you do need to double check the max discharge current rating and if it can handle your largest loads. Often the max discharge current of a single large battery is less than that of multiple smaller ones in parallel.

[@denisemurphy5188]

Do you build systems for people? What state are you located in?

[@oli77baba]

Didn’t you setup three batteries in serial?

[@bignicnrg3856]

That's pretty impressive!!

[@policeswat64]

Looks awesome! can't wait to start mine ! :)

[@Jelk243i]

What is different using ecoflow and diy system?

[@e3ucxp]

hello, which distribution panel is that? thanks

[@mikesgarage394]

Heavy items shouldn't be on top!! Batteries should be on bottom.

[@uzis4life]

Exactly this guy put the heavy azz batteries on top and the light things on the bottom smh

[@Tom111060]

TIP: When working on such Systems with all open contact I woud strongly recommend to isolate all metal tools (wrench etc.) with some shrink tubing to prevent vom shorting out 300amps - you do not want this, believe me.

[@Epixflame]

Just disconnect your batteries when working on the system.

[@Tom111060]

@@Epixflame ... Doesn't help when battery terminals themselves are uncovered ...

[@Epixflame]

@Tom111060 it's a user error if you short out battery terminals😂.

[@luedog8385]

nah

[@dimaesb]

Hi from Russia. I never lay the red and black wire side by side, because there is a risk of heating and therefore a short circuit. It is necessary to lay a little separately, keep a distance or a heat-resistant gasket between the wires, do not tighten with ties. I make wires over the batteries in different directions, they do not intersect in any way, the red does not go over the black, but on the other side the terminals are from the black, then even when heated they will not touch in any way/ (sorry for google translate)

[@hard2miss]

NaaaaaYce

[@profloorsnj]

where are you located , do you build or maybe upgrade my system ?

[@scoopold]

Yeah, this out does all of them.

[@MoserMakes]

Thank you!

[@lesbetts5694]

step left out to make this video not so long.... dude its ok leave all steps in we know what we are clicking on when we search for this video. tutorials and walkthroughs are suppost to be long and covering ever tedious step. still good video more informative then the last few i watched

[@BuckleGeoffrey]

Anderson Linda Lopez Daniel Rodriguez Larry

[@mingxuanfan]

This an overkill

[@yaagunna]

You’re a buzzkill

[@johnhiggins4393]

The more connectors the more chance of bad connection's

[@timquain5341]

So much terminology not explained. Like bus bar and power bank.

[@jounikyy7715]

lend tools from boyfriends

[@Warlockphreak]

$9.99 for a pdf no thank you