200 Amp Hour – 300 Watt Camper Van Solar Kit

Hi Nate, would you be able to use this same wiring diagram but change the breakers in the power distribution panel to give out 240V AV rather then 120V AV as I’m in the UK and we us 240V AV for household items.

Nate, in the diagram above your LI-BIM is wire on the positive busbar along with all the loads, while the solar charge controller is wired on the positive busbar on the other side of the switch. What is the reason for separating 1 charging method by a switch, but having the other charging method direct to battery (not impacted by the switch)?

Thanks so much for this amazing resource. Will def be ordering several gadgets with your affiliate links.

Hello,
First of all I want to express my most sincere and deep appreciation for what you’ve done here. It’s by FAR the best source of information I have found in the two years I’ve been gathering data on a van build. I’ll be certain to use all your links when purchasing anything listed here so you get any possible kickback.

Having that said, I wanted to offer some constructive feedback on the data and its format:
-Consider removing unnecessary check boxes to clean-up lists. The lists here are understandably long and there’s a lot to take in. Removing any unnecessary visual items could aid in digestion. Additionally consider indenting informational rows to further separate items from information.
-Remove quantity counts from items that are build dependent such as 120v electrical outlets.
-For wiring quantity I believe in an instance of “Qty: 20” you’re specifying length in feet. If so it would be helpful to update this to indicate length over count, such as: Qty: 20′ OR Length: 20′.
-There are a few instances where products are duplicated in multiple sections such as the Power Distribution Panel. In some cases duplication is called out via “Included in Bundle at Top of List” but not in all cases.
-Although the discrete item list for shore power is small, I feel separating shore power from AC has some value. Anyone that puts a little focus on it can discern which is what but again it helps people get to the meat of distinct functional areas.
-A HUGE enhancement would be diagrams per section rather than a big picture overview. This goes back to ease of digestion and allows a more granular view specific to each section of the electrical build. I liken it to lego set instruction booklets where the house is one book, the car another, etc. Sort of electrical for dummies. LOL! Your planned high res diagram might check that box but tossing it out there anyway.

Again- I REALLY appreciate your efforts on this site. It truly is amazing!

I just ordered the smart controller. Do I need the battery monitor with that? Or can I monitor it on my smartphone?

Hi Nate,
I came across your blog because I’m about to purchase a van that has already been converted – it’s has 3x 100W solar panels and just a 100Ah AGM battery. I’d like to add another 100Ah battery, similar to your 300W-200Ah set up.
Do you have any tips or recommendations on going about adding a battery to an existing set up? Is it as simple as just adding the battery in parallel? I also read that it is best to match size, brand, and age of the batteries (the current one is brand new) – is that true?
Thanks & I really appreciate it. I couldn’t find much info out there on adding / modifying an existing set up.
-Victoria

Nate,
I am going to install 400 w solar with 200 Ah batteries in a small Lance trailer using your layout. The trailer receives power from the trucks alternator via the 7 pin trailer connection and charges an existing battery. Where/how does the Smart DC-DC charger connect to the existing system?

Thanks