This list will show you some of the more common parts and pieces necessary to wire all of the 12V branch circuits in your camper.
Duplex wire consists of 2 separate conductors in a single sheath and will be the main type of wire you will use for your 12v Branch Circuits. Size will depend on the load and distance that the wire will need to run. The wire linked is high-quality marine-grade wire with 105° C Insulation ratings.
Triplex wire consists of 3 separate conductors in a single sheath and will be the type of wire you will want to use for 3 way switches.
For DC applications; Red is usually "Positive" and Black is usually "Negative". It's difficult to source triplex wire with the proper wire colors, so the proper way around this is to put a 1" piece of RED heat shrink on the Green and Wire wires at each end of the wire to denote that they are "Positive" wires.
Size will depend on the load and distance that the wire will need to run. The wire linked is high-quality marine-grade wire with 105° C Insulation ratings.
WAGO Lever Nuts are a great way to connect 2-5 wire together. The Wago 221 series can accept wires as big as 10 AWG and as small as 20 AWG and are rated for up to 30A.
This is a 12V Single-Pole-Single-Throw switch necessary for turning 12V circuits like lights or a water pump.
This is a 12v Single Pole Double Throw on-on switch necessary for 3-way switches a.k.a. lights that switch from 2 separate locations.
This fuse holder is used for switch panels where smaller wire is used downstream of the switch panel than upstream of the switch panel. This particular fuse holder holds 4 fuses and is, therefore, able to protect 4 circuits coming from the same switch panel location.
Bradyn
Tuesday 23rd of February 2021
I am getting ready to rewire my 1986 Airstream Sovereign and I keep having a thought that I can't reconcile. I would like my batteries to be able to charge off of my truck while in transit in order to keep the fridge running on longer road trips. How do I tie that into the charging system on my Progressive Dynamics PD4045CSV?
Dominic Spada Skinner
Sunday 21st of February 2021
Like the site, living in indiana it's hard to find anything on solar
Brenda Tharp
Friday 12th of February 2021
Heh Nate, I thought I would point out that in the description under the Triplex white, you talk about putting red shrink tubing on the 'green and wire wire', when I believe you meant 'green and white wire'. I was trying to find a way to message you privately on this but there wasn't a way. Thought you'd like to know so you could correct that. A novice reading it may not 'get' it! cheers.
sherry
Sunday 7th of February 2021
Hi Nate,
I am looking at a company that designs kits for vans based on Victron products but does not recommend or include marine grade wire. Does it really matter?
Thanks, Sherry
Nate Yarbrough
Monday 8th of February 2021
I recommend marine grade wire because it has meets all of the electrical standards/codes of the ABYC, NEC, and UL 1426 for marine applications. The only difference between a boat and a camper from a wiring standpoint is that boats need to have tinned wire since they will be exposed to a salty/humid environment. I have not been able to find a non-tinned wire that meets all of those needs for smaller gauge wire like you are looking at on this page. Welding wire can be used for the larger wire (like I have speced out in my diagrams at https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams).
If your builder is trying to use speaker wire or Romex for these wires, those are specifically forbidden by the ABYC and your builder is trying to cut corners.
Hugh
Wednesday 27th of January 2021
Hi there Nate. Just went on your site after finding you on YouTube. I was hoping to buy the full system you installed for Andy Rawls, no the battery's of course and have them shipped to Australia, don't know if possible but would be great if you could. Or at least buy your schematics and get information on where to purchase the parts needed collectively or separately? No Matter, you have been more than informative on the whole solar thing best I have come across.
Regards
Hugh
Nate Yarbrough
Thursday 28th of January 2021
Hey Hugh! Here is the blog post for that: https://www.explorist.life/diy-solar-electric-install-on-a-1976-airstream-argosy/