Our Van Build Has Power! Finishing Our Electrical System | 2021 Ford Transit Van Conversion Ep. 33

[@bobstransitvan3053]

Nice job, Mike! You need a solar disconnect switch to turn off the voltage coming from your solar panels going into the charge controller. Otherwise, you will always have voltage in your system. Check out Nate's videos and schematics. I'm working on my electrical right now. Probably going to start wiring up my Multiplus today.

[@britandmike]

Thank you! You’re right, we left length on our cable to add a solar disconnect and do plan to add one later. In the meantime if we need to disconnect we would just disconnect the cable coming from the panels to the charge controller.

[@robertallmon2347]

Hi Mike first congratulations on your first big wiring job! I seen a problem and wanted to reach out to you about it. It is regarding your solder splices. Any time there is two or more splices they should be staggered. Also the solder in your splices have to flow. They will completely melt binding your connections together what your video showed was two cold solder joints. I’m sure you can find a KZbin video showing what I’m referring to. I served 12 years as a aircraft electrician and did 2 years in avionics on private jets. You guys seem like a great couple and would hate for you to have a electric problems. God bless

[@dfanman1]

I think Nate just put out a video using the end of the distributor just the way you did, I see nothing wrong with using that, just my option and I wouldn't hesitate to do it myself.

[@PGfotografie]

Hey Brit&Mike, nice work i have got the same Transit but the german version. Please can you tell me the wight of the finish camper if you know it. In germany i have only 3,5 t inkusive me.

[@britandmike]

Hi! Our finished van weight is close to but under the GVWR for our van. I think it’s pushing approx 9800-9900 lbs

[@Scrambler85]

Nice looking setup, the electrical was the most enjoyable part of my van build 👍

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

Always hook up the battery first to your solar charger before your panels. You can damage the solar charger. This is also why you need a disconnect, so you can disconnect the panels to the charger. You’re doing a great job. Looking good.

[@britandmike]

Thank you! We just responded to a similar comment on this point but you’re right and we left room to add a solar disconnect as well.

[@dfanman1]

Mike your system is so close to what mine is going to be, I have the 150/100 MPPT charge controller which is way overkill for what I'm using. I have six, one hundred watt renogy solar panels and 412 AH SOK batteries. My panels are configured 3 series two parallel, so I should have 60 volts around 10 amps, but having trouble getting a amp readout without a load.

[@zupp.social]

what wire gauge do you use for fridge and AC, are they same sizes? for 12V throughout?

[@britandmike]

We used 12 AWG throughout so we wouldn’t have to worry about amp drop. We could have probably used a smaller gauge like 14-16 but thought it would be a good idea to size up the wires anyway. This is the wire we used for 12V: amzn.to/3QkiWXL

[@zupp.social]

@@britandmike thanks, i will be watching you for ideas. This time everybody are becoming carpenter, electrician and tutor lol.

[@zupp.social]

Hey Mike, did you use 1 size wire for all 120V appliances or outlet?

[@britandmike]

Yes, we used this 12 AWG wire for all of the 120V: amzn.to/3JKpddl

[@zupp.social]

@@britandmike i bought the same panel, So you did not use the AC outlet in the back, not sure why they put it there.

[@Ten_Reasons99]

Great info! Where did you connect the 2A fuse for the AC?

[@britandmike]

Thanks! On the fuse block in the distribution center.

[@koelzspeedgarage2796]

What an awesome job Mike. I've been following you guys since you started. I'm still waiting for my Transit that I ordered in Dec 2021. Your detailed videos will be helpful when I get started. I felt your pain when you were tightening up your battery cables. I think I will build my van around the battery system, lol. As an electrician, I can tell you that you are smart to leave as much slack in your wiring as you can. Keep up the great work and keep the great videos coming.

[@sloshilo]

Looks very awesome. Great job

[@britandmike]

Thanks James!

[@bazza2154]

Congrats guys big moment in your build love the professional way you approach the build even though this is all new to you the explanations are very helpful for me watching you while I wait for my delivery

[@leohummel8782]

Still following your progress with great interest. I am finally starting my build. You are getting closer and closer to the end I bet you can't wait to take it for its madden voyage. I do have a question, I did not see you using a DC to DC converter to limit to alternator draw and to cut off power from your van batteries to your system when the van is not running. I noticed you are running some very heavy gage cables from the van batteries toward your electric control box. What are is your thinking of not using one? Thanks.

[@britandmike]

Thanks for watching! We are going to be using a lithium battery isolation manager instead of a DC to DC charger. It cycles the current to allow the lithium batteries to be charged by the alternator without over taxing the alternator. We have found battle born and explorist.life to have the most useful resources on this, which we will be following when we install it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2nan6Sig8yoj9k www.explorist.life/how-to-wire-a-li-bim-battery-isolator/

[@brlowe1]

Question, at 14:30 when you are talking there is a lot of cable behind you, what are they all going to? I thought earlier you said you only had 3 AC circuits? Also early on there is a lot of that white cable coming into the breaker panel, did you use it for 12v runs also?

[@britandmike]

The bulk of those cables at 14:30 are running to the 3-way dimmer switches by the bed, because we used 2x12 wire that goes from the power supply to the switches, and then 3x12 wire from the switches by the bed to the switches by the door (to connect each one to its counterpart, since they are 3-way switches). So for the 3 switches it required 6 wires going to the first box. We did use the breaker panel for 12V runs as well. Both our 120V and 12V is white so it looks similar on camera!

[@cgauthier5094]

Nice!! Can you provide link for your switchs ?! Really looking good!!

[@britandmike]

Thank you!! Here are the 3-way w/dimmer light switches: amzn.to/3JtgMCT Here are the 3-way non-dimmer switches: amzn.to/3OXUpa2 And here’s the face plate for those: amzn.to/3BDGQJL

[@markweintraub7774]

Can you show us where you connected the ground wire to the van?

[@bradpriester3297]

Nice work ! Wish I was younger and had your ambition.

[@britandmike]

Thanks Brad!