Shore Power | How to EASILY Charge your VAN

We're giving our 2022 Ford Transit Van a plug today! This 15 Amp plug will easily charge our battery and keep our appliances powered while on the road! In this install we're using a NOCO 15 Amp AC Port Plug with a Waterproof Electrical Outlet and 16-Inch Integrated Outdoor Extension Cord. Links to this and all the other tools used are down below!
If you want to see how we wire our appliances to our battery check out our battery here:
• WIRING in Ford Transit...
➡ Store: avcrig.com
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Tools / Materials you'll need:
Shore Power Plug: amzn.to/3JwaErZ
Makita Screwgun and Drill Set: amzn.to/3IVfZc9
1” Wood Screws Modified Truss Head: amzn.to/3DORSec

[@michellefriend8848]

I will have you know, I just finished this exact same project (with constant vigilance to this video of yours). The results came out exactly as yours did. Thank you for the step-by-step instructions. The only thing I wish was a little clearer was where you fed it through on the inside of the van. In the end, I got it all figured out. Thank you so much for this video. I do have a Ford Transit van. And your instructions were spot on.

[@AVCRIG]

Awesome! Thanks for following along. We love success stories.

[@MotoMatt418]

Wow. That was much simpler than I imagined. Great content! Moooooooore!!!

[@AVCRIG]

Glad to help! Thanks, there's a LOT more coming!

[@Snowblind113]

Spot on placement for even a 30 amp plug. Just did mine with a small piece of plastic behind the bumper for rigidity and worked beautifully. Thanks so much!

[@AVCRIG]

Excellent!

[@gregb3390]

Matt, Thanks for your content. I just picked up my new 2023 145 MR and started the build as soon as I got home. This solution for shore power is spot on. Make a mistake and all you have to replace is a simple piece of plastic. No sheet metal damage. The little plug is different on the new vans it took a little bit to figure it out. ✌

[@AVCRIG]

😎

[@onewayofliving]

Your content is great. Looking forward to supporting your business when I am ready to get started on my build👍

[@AVCRIG]

Thank you! Welcome to the club. Glad you found us.

[@michellestratford9753]

This great! Would I be able to plug in a space heater? Or is there a specific watt I need to stay under? Thank you so much!

[@AbolitionAbz]

Where do you plug in the other side of it?

[@eigeroverland]

Had no idea Ford provided that hole/plug at the two locations. Absolutely perfect for the Smartplug I have planned for the driver side.

[@AVCRIG]

It’s pretty handy!

[@christian.peper21]

This video is magnificent

[@AVCRIG]

Thanks CP

[@pmcallister]

Seems like that pill shaped plug needs to be replaced to keep out mice etc.? Cut cord, grommet through plug, rewire cord?

[@webfitz51]

I did it! Thanks

[@jonsmail8082]

Wow nice clean install.

[@AVCRIG]

Thanks!

[@alakans216]

Thank you for sharing your videos, do you have to ground to the chassis of the car? I saw some doing it after installing the 120Voutlet?

[@AVCRIG]

We ground our inverters to the chassis. I’ve never take. The 110 ground to chassis. Makes sense though.

[@christopherhan1248]

I have a 2023 Crew and followed this video for the opposite side. Unfortunately after cutting the hole in the plastic, there was a metal panel. Well, I had to cut another hole in the metal body….😢

[@AVCRIG]

Sorry that happened to you. I’ve never seen a van without this pass through.

[@jess4mathews]

Oh heck yeah...that is well placed for all consideration...perfect! Is there another one of those ports on the opposite side of the van... thank you so much for this video...the wall looks great! Thanks for the heads up @ color bleed potential.... that could have ruined some nice coverings. 🤓

[@AVCRIG]

Yes there are matching ports on both sides. 👍👍👍

[@Ms.Frankenbuilder]

Trying to figure out how to get shore power to charge my lithium batteries in a new coming up van build. Enjoyed your video and subscribed.

[@AVCRIG]

We use the charger function on our inverters to charger our built battery systems here in the shop. If you’re not doing an inverter then I’d suggest a smart battery charger like a Victron unit.

[@TrailBoundco]

if i wanted the shore power hooked up to my goal zero 1500x but also to my reco 9.5k airconditioner how would i do that? just add a splitter on the end of that noco plug? i dont want to plug the AC into the goal zero because i know it would never be able to run it so i'm only running the AC on shore power or generator

[@AVCRIG]

I think you have the right idea. NoCo may offer an option with two female ends if I remember correctly. If you do use a splitter just don’t bury it behind the wall.

[@chasepommerville]

I have heard from other builders that putting the shore power in the plastic can cause a potential fire hazard, I am curious of your thoughts on this?

[@AVCRIG]

It's really only a concern if you pull too many amps- but in that case the plug itself is a fire hazard as well.

[@chasepommerville]

@@AVCRIG makes sense, thank you!

[@waynec2962]

Seams simple but what if you have to replace that side bumper! is there easy access for removing the cord from your system when you have to remove the receptacle from the bumper?

[@AVCRIG]

I suppose not. It’s not really that hard to undo our wall system if you had to. It’d take an hour or so, but in the case of that kind of repair not the end of the world. If adding your port to the side of the van (or underneath) seems better I’d definitely go that way.

[@jo-annewilkinson5663]

I am confused. Once the shore power plug is installed, what is the other end plugged into?

[@AVCRIG]

It depends on your power system. Most inverters have a shore power charge function and we’d wire it to that. If you did a system like a goal zero you’d use the power pack for that.

[@thecowboyscorner3740]

So from your shore power what do you connect to charge batteries while plugged in? I’ve got an inverter ran from the alternator but it doesn’t seem to be enough especially while parked

[@AVCRIG]

I typically use two different inverters. Xantrex XC2000 and the Victron multiplus 2 12/2000 I limit both to the 15 amp shore power plug we install.

[@WhoaTrips]

Any issues with the sliding door getting in the way of the outlet?

[@AVCRIG]

Not this far back. Maybe in a 130

[@lavalleemichel6363]

Wow thanks so much !,,,, great info

[@AVCRIG]

We hope it helps!

[@alakans216]

Why did you pick the passenger side, don't they put shore power on the driver side?

[@AVCRIG]

We put the shore power on whatever side our power system will be on. We switch it up depending on the buildout and customer.

[@michaelfrymus]

Hmmm. I might do that! But I'm wondering, how can I use shore power to charge my lithium dual battery??

[@AVCRIG]

When we do scratch build battery systems the inverter regulates shore power battery charging. I use the Xantrex XC2000.

[@heningerw]

Didn’t know there was an opening in there. Was about to go thru metal!

[@AVCRIG]

👍👍

[@fairbankspr]

I have a cargo 2022 Extended Transit and it doesn't look like that. I can't see any plastic walls, but do find a black rectangular box on each side. Doesn't look there is room.

[@AVCRIG]

Email me at the shop I’ll help you out.

[@WendyDavisPaintings]

AVC Rig- Do you know if the L shaped "pop-out port" is present in the 2018 148WB Transits? I am afraid to drill the hole and find out I don't have a port...

[@AVCRIG]

I’ve never seen a van without it, but you should see the pop out panel section from the inside of the van.

[@WendyDavisPaintings]

@@AVCRIG I know, but this is sort of a later addition to my van build, so I have other things in the way now... the electrical wires and electric set up is on that side already... I did leave a good size 4x6 opening in that exact spot, but with all the wires and insulation around it, I cannot really see anything back in there. Crap. lol. Thank you for your help. This was a great video. :)

[@AVCRIG]

@@WendyDavisPaintings I've never come across a van without. You can probably reach up under the plastics to feel for it.

[@WendyDavisPaintings]

@@AVCRIG Yes! It is there. I successfully installed my Noco port plug.Thank you. 🤗

[@elizabethenlow4807]

I found the port on my 2015 transit but it's not big enough to fit the noco plug through 😢

[@krimzenghost]

Really a 30 to 15 amp adapter is cheap. If you want to install a rooftop AC unit or an Electric/LP water heater, you're going to need to redo all of this. Install a Distribution center for $150, run a 30amp motor mount base and be much happier in the end.

[@haydenlake7956]

Wish I had watched this BEFORE I drilled through the sheet metal. I assumed there was metal behind the plastic. whoops

[@kristopheradams4235]

I hate the way some people talk it's like they've got to exaggerate the last word they say

[@AVCRIG]

Me too. I cringe when I watch some of my videos. It’s a hard habit to break, but I’m trying.

[@LanceEJones]

Don't go to Canada.

[@kylebayes4711]

Not very helpfull.