VAN BUILD 09: Electric & Solar Panel Install

VAN BUILD 09: Electric & Solar Panel Install
After gutting and polishing the van interior (Van Build 01 & 02), insulating and installing my sub-floor and vinyl floor (Van Build 03 & 04), installing my Maxxair fan (Van Build 05) and DIYing some custom insulated window covers (Van Build 06). I recently started actually building things! I built my wheel well boxes and bed frame (Van Build 07 & 08) and this video I will be showcasing my electrical skills and installing my electric and solar panel system!
Make sure you like this video and subscribe to my channel to follow along and stay up to date through this van building journey and what’s to come!
Support me and become a patron! / saysarah
Or support me through Paypal! paypal.me/sarrahyouung
After living abroad in Barcelona, Spain for a year, moving back home to South Louisiana, getting a new job, quarantining through the pandemic and taking adventures while I can, I decided to purchase a van to build and renovate with the goal of traveling around the US van life style as a solo female traveler. This is completely new to me, I am super excited to see where this journey will take me, and I am definitely learning new things along the way.
Product Links & Video Price Breakdown (in the Google Sheet linked below)
docs.google.co...
Don’t miss out!
Start from the beginning with my first van build video • VAN BUILD 01: Beginnin...
Who am I?
I’m Sarah! I am currently an 8-5 business consultant based out of New Orleans, Louisiana aspiring to be a van living, business owning, travel photographer who will travel around the United States in my self-converted Ford van. SUBSCRIBE for a van build series as a solo female traveler (with the help of my family at the moment).
Follow me on Instagram! www.saysarah.o...
Shop my travel prints on Etsy and decorate your home! www.saysarah.o...
Thanks to Thematic for the music!
Music by matty co. - The Canyon - thmatc.co/?l=8...
Music by MYSM - Indie Feel - thmatc.co/?l=6...
#vanlife #vanbuild #solofemaletraveler

[@bigskyscott4092]

Nice! I love people who do their own work. You, young lady, are to be commended. I love your work ethic and dedication.

[@SaySarah]

Thank you!! It’s not easy!

[@diablofubar3623]

Great job on figuring out your Solar...Made me smile with the Lefty Loosey Righty Tightly...:)

[@SaySarah]

Thanks! Always need a quick reminder... lol

[@terryryan4106]

Nice job Sarah

[@SaySarah]

Thank you!!

[@deke4354]

Happy for you being brave and building your adventures , on your batteries tie down , might I suggest possibly trying all thread in place of straps? Easy and no need for retightening as you travel

[@SaySarah]

Thanks for the rec! I'll consider that!

[@felixthemaster9662]

You are doing such a great job. The fact that you are doing this with just you and your family is such a plus. I will watch and support you all the way. Happy Thanksgiving

[@SaySarah]

Thank you so much! You too!

[@jasonjones5213]

Looks like you did a good job to me.Good informative video, I liked the wiring diagram.

[@SaySarah]

Thank you!

[@derekdestep40]

You doing a great job

[@SaySarah]

Thank you!

[@jtn1368]

Good job!

[@SaySarah]

Thank you!

[@John_Krone]

That electrical setup is almost the cost of a used car. wow, great job!!

[@SaySarah]

Ooof yes it was expensive lol but I didn't want to cheap out on this part!

[@erniemenard7727]

It's obvious that you did some research on the wiring and so forth. I suggest fabricating some type of covering for any exposed electrical connections, it doesn't have to be complicated. It's a safety issue.

[@SaySarah]

Thanks for the tips!

[@paulsherman6450]

Just a suggestion. You should have a wire from the negative bus bar to the chassis of the van to ground the whole system properly. Also keep an eye on the Renogy system the tend to have frequent components short out which can melt or start a fire.

[@SaySarah]

Ooo I never heard that about Renogy.. thanks for the tips!

[@montyreeves7302]

Great job. I connected my charge controller directly to my battery and then to the bus bar. Also a few good tools would be helpful. Sure made my life easier

[@connief5154]

Another step closer--keep going girl...

[@SaySarah]

Thank you!

[@davideckenroth8394]

You should use a laser temperature tool to see how hot your crimpt connections. They will get very hot if they are bad. It may prevent fires if you identify and repair the bad connections

[@SaySarah]

Thanks for the tips!

[@BartBourg]

This brought me anxiety flashbacks. haha Great job. Keep it up. ✌

[@SaySarah]

Thank you! It's coming along

[@dalerobinson5423]

Sarah, is your rooftop fiberglass or metal? My rooftop is fiberglass, and I’m afraid to install a roof rack for solar panels and a max air fan.I found my answer watching your max air fan install, yes you do have a fiberglass roof.I’m a new subscriber , and I’m trying to catch up watching all your videos . You’re awesome Sarah👏😊

[@SaySarah]

Hi! Thanks for following along! (: my roof is 100% fiberglass and yes I was very cautious about that as well... don't take my actions for it haha I'm definitely not an expert, but I've seen others with fiberglass as well. Idk about a roof rack but the panels and fan aren't heavy. Some have recommended putting a wood frame underneath so when you screw the panels/fan in it has something more structured to hold onto.. I had already finished mine, but honestly the fiberglass is pretty thick and some people only use the 3m tape... so fingers crossed and good luck! haha

[@tommotomlinson3370]

Great job Sarah, best way to learn is to have a go.,...maybe put the solar isolation switch in the positive line ? It's all coming along nicely 👌

[@SaySarah]

I had it on the positive line or so I thought... I had to redo some things from a mess up and my only option was the negative line, but I researched it and it doesn't seem like it matters too much, people do it both ways!

[@highlanderjames]

Hey gorgeous,we're the wires come out of the metal post at the back of the van. You might wanna insulate were it comes out so they don't chafe and rub through shorting out or starting a electrical fire. I'm a heavy truck mechanic and your doing a great job doing this build

[@SaySarah]

Thanks for the tip!

[@John_Krone]

oof, electrical. You got this! Make sure your van is sealed. I've been following the adventures of the Travel Beans and they've been having mice problems. Since you are building your van from scratch (vs they purchased one) make sure yours is sealed so nothing craws in.

[@SaySarah]

Thanks for the tips!

[@stregaone4471]

💖💖

[@Chiefqueef91]

What about the inverter controller? So you don’t kill your battery?

[@SaySarah]

The inverter has an on and off switch so it'll only be pulling while I'm using it!

[@TheMawso]

keep an eye on renogy stuff…you can have malfunctions with them and they can melt, possibly starting a fire

[@SaySarah]

I never heard that before! Thanks for the tip

[@davideckenroth8394]

Please be careful not to use your teeth to strip wires

[@SaySarah]

Didn't work too good

[@TheTinyPowerhouse6163]

From your intro, wires are not edible!

[@Chiefqueef91]

Wdym? You’ve never had wire pesto noodles? It’s 2022 brother. Catch up.

[@SaySarah]

*patents edible wires (as if mice/rats needed more of incentive lol)

[@SaySarah]

Chef's kiss! lol