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This DIY Camper Van Solar Kit features 300 watts of solar (3x100w Panels) and 200 Amp Hours of Lithium Batteries wired into a 12v battery bank. It also features a 2000w Inverter/Charger and alternator charging by way of a battery isolator.
Looking for a different size of system? Check here: https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams
Not sure how big of a system you need? You need to do a power audit. Here’s a tutorial: https://www.explorist.life/what-size-of-solar-system-is-needed-to-power-a-camper/
Want more solar education in general? Check this: https://www.explorist.life/diy-campervan-solar
Want a high-resolution wiring diagram to print out? Get it here: COMING SOON
Here is a video that shows how this page works:
EXPLORIST.life / Battle Born Solar Bundle [Affiliate Link]
Battery, Inverter, Charge Controller, Battery Monitor Discount Bundle Coming June 1.
100W Solar Panels [Affiliate Link]
50A ANL Fuse [Affiliate Link]
Roof Entry Gland [Affiliate Link]
100A ANL Fuse [Affiliate Link]
250A ANL Fuse [Affiliate Link]
250A ANL Fuse [Affiliate Link]
15A Solar Disconnect [Affiliate Link]
Master Battery Disconnect Switch [Affiliate Link]
Exterior Shore Power Outlet [Affiliate Link]
250A Terminal Fuse [Affiliate Link]
300A Terminal Fuse [Affiliate Link]
30 A Shore Power Cord [Affiliate Link]
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
2/0 x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
8 AWG x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
6 AWG x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
8 AWG x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
8 AWG x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
6 AWG x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
8 AWG x 5/16 Wire Lug
Total wire lug quantities for this wiring diagram are totaled at the bottom of the shopping list below.
Tutorial: How to Wire the Li-BIM Battery Isolator
Tutorial: How to Wire the AC Side of Your Electrical System
Tutorial: How to Wire for Shore Power
Tutorial: How to Wire a Battery Bank
Tutorial: How to Wire a Busbar
Tutorial: How To Wire DC Distribution Block & Accessories
Tutorial: How to wire a power distribution panel
Solar Charging System:
- Qty: 3 – 100 Watt Solar Panel
- Put these in the sun
- Qty: 3 – Solar Panel Mounting Feet
- Help mount solar panels to the roof
- Qty: 1 – MC4 Connectors
- Connecting Solar Panels to Wires going to Charge Controller
- Qty: 40 – 10 AWG Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From Solar Panel to Charge Controller
- Qty: 40 – 10 AWG Red Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From Solar Panel to Charge Controller
- Qty: 1 – Roof Entry Gland
- Waterproof Box for Running Wires through Roof
- Qty: 1 – 1″ Wire Grommet
- Mounted in roof under Roof Entry Gland
- Qty: 1 – 15 Amp Solar Disconnect Switch
- Mounted on Din Rail Between Solar Panels & Solar Contoller
- Qty: 1 – Din Rail
- To mount the Solar Disconnect Switch
- Qty: 1 – Victron Smartsolar MPPT 150 | 35 – Bundle
- Included in Bundle at Top of List
- Solar Charge Controller
- Qty: 5 – 8 AWG Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From Charge Controller to Busbar
- Qty: 5 – 8 AWG Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between Busbar & Charge Controller Equipment Ground
- Qty: 5 – 8 AWG Red Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From Charge Controller to Busbar
- Qty: 2 – 5/16″ x 8 AWG Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attaching Positive & Negative Wires from Charge Controller to Busbar
- Qty: 2 – 5/16″ x 8 AWG Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Connecting Busbar to Charge Controller Equipment Ground
- Qty: 1 – 50 Amp ANL Fuse
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- On Positive Busbar Protecting Red Wire to Charge Controller
- Qty: 1 – ANL Fuse Holder
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Mounted to Busbar under each ANL fuse
Battery Bank, Busbar, & Inverter
- Qty: 1 – 2000W Victron MultiPlus Compact Inverter Charger 12V – Bundle
- Included in Bundle at Top of List
- This Converts Your 12v DC Power to 120v AC Power
- Qty: 1 – 200Ah Battle Born Lithium Battery Bundle
- Included in Bundle at Top of List
- These Store Your Power
- Qty: 4 – 2/0 Red Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between Batteries & From Batteries to Busbar
- Qty: 4 – 2/0 Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between Batteries & From Batteries to Busbar
- Qty: 8 – 5/16″ x 2/0 Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attaching Wires to Batteries & to Busbar
- Qty: 1 – 300 Amp Terminal Fuse
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attached to Battery Protecting Red Wire to Busbar
- Qty: 5 – 2/0 Red Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between Busbar & Inverter
- Qty: 5 – 2/0 Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between Busbar & Inverter
- Qty: 5 – 2/0 Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between Busbar & Inverter Equipment Ground
- Qty: 5 – 2/0 Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between Busbar & Chassis Ground
- Qty: 2 – 5/16″ x 2/0 Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attaching Positive Wire from Busbar to Inverter
- Qty: 2 – 5/16″ x 2/0 Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attaching Negative Wire from Busbar to Inverter
- Qty: 2 – 5/16″ x 2/0 Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attaching Black Wire from Negative Busbar to Inverter Equipment Ground
- Qty: 2 – 5/16″ x 2/0 Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attaching Black Wire from Negative Busbar to Vehicle Chassis Ground
- Qty: 1 – 250 Amp ANL Fuse
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- On Positive Busbar Protecting Red Wire to Inverter
- Qty: 1 – ANL Fuse Holder
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Mounted to Busbar under each ANL fuse
DC Busbar
- Qty: 1 – 1/4″ x 3/4″ x 13″ Copper Bar
- For Busbar
- Qty: 1 – Victron BMV-712
- Battery Monitor & Shunt
- Qty: 1 – Main Disconnect Switch
- Disconnect Loads on Positive Busbar
- Qty: 1 – 5/16″ Bolt
- For Building Busbar
- Qty: 1 – 5/16″ Washer
- For Building Busbar
- Qty: 1 – 5/16″ Lock Washer
- For Building Busbar
- Qty: 1 – 5/16″ Nut
- For Building Busbar
AC Circuits & Shore Power
- Qty: 1 – 30 Amp Shore Power Cord
- Connecting 30A Flanged Power Inlet to Shore Power
- Qty: 1 – 30 Amp Shore Power Extension Cord
- If your Shore Power Cord is too Short
- Qty: 1 – 30A to 15A Adapter
- For plugging your 30A shore power cord into a 15/20 amp standard outlet.
- Qty: 1 – 30A Flanged Power Inlet
- Connected to Outside of Camper
- Qty: 10 – 10 AWG 3 Conductor Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From 30A Flanged Power Inlet to Inverter
- Qty: 5 – 6 AWG 3 Conductor Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From Inverter to Power Distribution Panel
- Qty: 1 – Power Distribution Panel
- For Distributing Power & Housing Breakers/Fuses
- Qty: 1 – 50A AC Breaker
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- For AC Branch Circuits
- Qty: 1 – 20A HOMT Tandem AC Breaker
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- For Standard 120V Outlet Circuits
- Qty: 1 – 20A / 30A HOMT Tandem AC Breaker
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- For Circuits that include large loads (hot water heater)
- Qty: 50 – 12 AWG 3 Conductor Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- For AC Branch Circuits
- Qty: 6 – 120V GFCI Outlet
- For plugging 120V Appliances into
- Qty: 6 – Single Gang Electrical Box
- For 120V GFCI Outlet
- Qty: 6 – GFCI Wall Plates
- For 120V GFCI Outlet
12v Distribution
- Qty: 1 – Power Distribution Panel
- For Distributing Power & Housing Breakers/Fuses
- Qty: 1 – 100 AMP ANL Fuse
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- On Positive Busbar Protecting Red Wire to the Power Distribution Panel
- Qty: 1 – ANL Fuse Holder
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Mounted to Busbar under each ANL fuse
- Qty: 2 – 5/16″ x 6 AWG Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attaching Positive & Negatives Wires to the Busbar from the Power Distribution Panel
- Qty: 5 – 6 AWG Red Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Positive Wire From Busbar to Power Distribution Panel
- Qty: 5 – 6 AWG Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Negative Wire From Busbar to Power Distribution Panel
Alternator Charging
- Qty: – LI-BIM 225 Isolator
- Connects and Disconnects House and Starting Battery Banks
- Qty: 5 – 2/0 Red Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between LI-BIM 225 Isolator & Start Battery
- Qty: 20 – 2/0 Red Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Between LI-BIM 225 Isolator & House Battery Bank
- Qty: 1 – 250 Amp Terminal Fuse
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- On Starting Battery Protecting Red Wire to LI-BIM 225 Isolator
- Qty: 1 – 250 Amp ANL Fuse
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- On Positive Busbar Protecting Red Wire to LI-BIM 225 Isolator
- Qty: 1 – ANL Fuse Holder
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Mounted to Busbar under each ANL fuse
- Qty: 4 – 5/16″ x 2/0 Lug
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Attaching Positive Wire to Starting Battery, Isolator x2, & House Battery Bank
- Qty: 5 – 16 AWG Red Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From Isolator Ign to Ignition Positive
- Qty: 1 – Add-a-Fuse Kit
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- Used to piggyback power for Ignition+ Wire
- Qty: 5 – 16 AWG Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From Isolator Gnd to Chassis Ground
- Qty: 10 – 16 AWG Black Wire
- Check Wire, Lug, and Fuse List at Bottom of List
- From Isolator Sig to Momentary Switch & from Momentary Switch to Chassis Ground
- Qty: 1 – Momentary Switch
- Placed in-line on Isolator Sig Wire
Misc Tools & Accessories (As Needed/Optional)
- Qty: 1 – Assorted Spade Connectors
- Qty: 1 – Assorted Ring Terminal Crimp Connectors
- Qty: 1 – Assorted Butt Splice Crimp Connectors
- Qty: 1 – Big Wire Crimper
- Qty: 1 – Wire Stripper
- Qty: 1 – Big Wire Cutters
- Qty: 1 – Standard Wire Crimper
- Qty: 1 – Heat Gun
- Qty: 1 – Multimeter
- Qty: 1 – Cordless Drill
- Qty: 1 – Assorted Drill Bits
- Qty: 1 – Hole Saw Kit
- Qty: 1 – Butyl Tape
- Qty: 1 – Sikaflex
- Qty: 1 – VHB Tape
- Qty: 1 – White Rustoleum
- Qty: 1 – 30A Surge Protector
- Qty: 1 – Lever Nut Connectors
- Qty: 1 – Braided Wire Sleeve
- Qty: 1 – Assorted Spade Fuses
- Qty: 1 – 3/4″ Red Heat Shrink
- Qty: 1 – 3/4″ Black Heat Shrink
- Qty: 1 – 1/2″ Red Heat Shrink
- Qty: 1 – 1/2″ Black Heat Shrink
- Qty: 1 – 1/4″ Red Heat Shrink
- Qty: 1 – 1/4″ Black Heat Shrink
- Qty: 1 – 1/8″ Red Heat Shrink
- Qty: 1 – 1/8″ Black Heat Shrink
Wires, Lugs, Breakers, and Fuses
Wires
- 40ft. – 10 AWG Black Wire
- 40ft. – 10 AWG Red Wire
- 10ft. – 8 AWG Black Wire
- 5ft. – 8 AWG Red Wire
- 34ft. – 2/0 Red Wire
- 19ft. – 2/0 Black Wire
- 5ft. – 6 AWG Red Wire
- 5ft. – 6 AWG Black Wire
- 5ft. – 16 AWG Red Wire
- 15ft. – 16 AWG Black Wire
Lugs
- Qty: 4 – 5/16″ x 8 AWG Lug
- Qty: 20 – 5/16″ x 2/0 Lug
- Qty: 2 – 5/16″ x 6 AWG Lug
Fuses & Breakers
- Qty: 1 – 50 Amp ANL Fuse
- Qty: 4 – ANL Fuse Holder
- Qty: 1 – 300 Amp Terminal Fuse
- Qty: 2 – 250 Amp ANL Fuse
- Qty: 1 – 50A AC Breaker
- Qty: 1 – 20A HOMT Tandem AC Breaker
- Qty: 1 – 20A / 30A HOMT Tandem AC Breaker
- Qty: 1 – 100 AMP ANL Fuse
- Qty: 1 – 250 Amp Terminal Fuse
- Qty: 1 – Add-a-Fuse Kit
- Qty: 1 – Assorted Spade Fuses
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.
For the most part, yes… You’d need a 230v Victon Multiplus as well; but most everything else should, for the most part, be the same.
hi nate, i am gathering items for my 2020 Ford Transit build and plan to purchase one of the your consulting program. i wanted to start buying my electrical components based on my power audit i decided to go with 200 amp hour with 300 watt solar. my question, is it cheaper if i purchase the bundle package ? and can i use 2- 160 watt rich solar panels instead of 3 – 100 watt? i am trying to save as much space as possible on roof.
thanks
This is similar to what you are proposing: https://www.explorist.life/200-amp-hour-350-watt-camper-van-solar-kit/
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.
Leaving the charge controller hooked up to the non-switched side will allow solar to keep the batteries topped off during times of storage. For the alternator charging circuit; there’s no time you’d be charging via alternator when the system is in storage and loads are disconnected; so that’s why it’s on that side.
Any plans on doing a smaller version. I only have a 200watt solar panel and a 100amh battery. Just for the basics of lights, fan and phone plugs. No Inverter, No shore plug.
Also, I am using a pc and am having alot of trouble with the diagram, is it made specific for mac users? Or is it my laptop a bit outdated and in need of an upgrade.
Unfortunately, I have no plans of doing a smaller system because smaller than 200 amp hours of usable battery capacity, I generally recommend some kind of all in one solution like a Goal Zero unit.
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’ve got some updates to my diagrams coming around. This feedback is really helpful. Thanks for the input.
Hello. I have a teardrop trailer that I just want to hoop up lights, phone chargers, camera chargers, Bluetooth radio and the occasional ninja blender. Would you mind posting a wiring diagram for this? I am only planning on purchasing 1 lithium deep cycle battery. Thanks for your time.
For a ninja blender, you’ll be pulling over 100A at a time from your battery bank, which means you’ll need at least 2 lithium batteries because each Lithium Battery can only discharge 100 amps at a time. 🙂
I just ordered the smart controller. Do I need the battery monitor with that? Or can I monitor it on my smartphone?
The smart charge controller and the battery monitor serve two different purposes in this system and both are needed.
It was recommended instead of using an Isolator for my 2019 Sprinter I should use an Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC Charger Non-Isolated. Is this a good choice versus an Isolator?
Thanks
It is, indeed a great choice. I’ve got that unit in my newest diagram here: https://www.explorist.life/3000w-inverter-400-600ah-400-to-1200w-solar-camper-solar-kit/
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
It’s best to match brand/size/age of batteries when adding a battery. And yes, adding the battery in parallel will be the best way to go.
I like your site and videos. However, shouldn’t you have a 30A main breaker before the shore AC in to the inverter?
Yep! But that is installed in the campground power pedestal, so we don’t need to worry about it on our end of things.