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2000w INVERTER | 200-400Ah Lithium | 200W-520W SOLAR Camper Wiring Diagram

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This DIY camper solar wiring diagram and parts list is perfect for ground-up electrical installs into campervans, skoolies, or expedition vehicles. This system is most suitable for systems that do not have a pre-existing house electrical system installed.

This diagram features:

  • 2000W Inverter Charger
  • 200+ Amp Hours of Battery Storage Capacity
  • Up to 520W Solar Array Capacity
  • Alternator Charging at 60A
  • Shore Power Charging/Passthrough

Not quite what you are looking for? Check out other system setups here: https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams

Note from Nate: It’s no secret that Battle Born Batteries and Victron Energy are sponsors of the work I do here at EXPLORIST.life. Both of those brands make top of the line, high-end equipment and in my opinion, is worth every penny.

BUT… I have seen time and time again people trying to design systems with less expensive equipment to fit within their budgets (rightfully so. I get that.) but struggle with budget-friendly system design including proper fusing, wire sizes, fuse choices, busbars, component placement, switches, and everything else necessary to build a high-end system. This is why I’ve made this diagram.

This diagram features high-quality fuses, busbars, wires, and lugs with highly efficient wire routing & system design with decreased redundancies that will accommodate most of the popular and less expensive Inverter/Chargers and other components I see people using like Renogy and AIMS.

This is the Honda Civic of camper electrical systems. It won’t win any high-performance races, but it will get you from point A to point B in a safe and reliable manner.

History of Changes to this Page (Click to Expand)

Post Published Jan 8, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HOW TO USE THIS PAGE – VIDEO

This orientation video will show you how to best use this page to build your DIY Camper Solar Setup. It’s a quick watch but I think it’s pretty important.

DIY Camper Van Wiring Diagram

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE HI-RES PRINTABLE PDF OF THIS DIAGRAM

DIY Camper Solar Parts – Shopping List

The list below is a consolidated parts list for this entire system (Minus the solar charging leg, which is listed at the bottom of this blog post).

For the ‘Quantities’ in the below shopping list, each singular component is listed a quanty per each, wire is listed a quantity of feet, and heat shrink is listed as qty 1 = 2.25″.

For Example:

Qty 1 – Inverter Charger means you need to purchase 1 Inverter Charger

Qty 3 – 4/0 Wire means you need 3 feet of 4/0 wire. This may mean you need to buy 5ft from the product page

Qty 5 heat shrink means you need 5 pieces of 2.25″ heat shrink. This means you’ll need 5 x 2.25″ pieces of heat shrink for a total of 11.25″ of heat shrink.

ProductQtyLink
1/2" Black Heat Shrink9
1/2" Red Heat Shrink14
1/4" Black Heat Shrink13
1/4" Red Heat Shrink6
10 AWG Black Wire6
10 AWG Ferrule12
10 AWG Red Wire10
100 Amp MEGA Fuse1
100Ah Battle Born Lithium Batteries4
100W Rich Solar Panels4
16 AWG Red Wire20
2-to-1 MC4 Combiner1
2/0 Black Wire20
2/0 Red Wire15
2/0 x 3/8" Wire Lug4
2/0 x 5/16" Wire Lug24
200 Amp MEGA Fuse1
2000W Renogy Inverter/Charger1
250 Amp ANL Fuse1
3/4" Black Heat Shrink14
3/4" Red Heat Shrink14
30A Shore Power Surge Protector1
30A Square D HOM AC Breaker1
4 AWG Black Wire25
4 AWG Red Wire25
4 AWG x 1/4" Wire Lug2
4 AWG x 5/16" Wire Lug8
40A Renogy Rover Solar Charge Controller1
6 AWG Black Wire10
6 AWG Ferrule2
6 AWG Red Wire10
6 AWG x 5/16" Wire Lug2
6 Post Busbar1
60A Mega Fuse1
8 AWG Black Wire11
8 AWG Ferrule1
8 AWG Red Wire10
8 AWG x 5/16" Wire Lug1
80A DC Breaker1
80A Mega Fuse1
Add-A-Fuse Kit1
ANL Fuse Holder1
Din Rail Breaker Box1
Master Disconnect1
MC4 Connectors5
Renogy 60A DC-DC Charger1
Victron Fused Busbar1
Victron SmartShunt1
WFCO AC-DC Distribution Panel1
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Camper Solar Parts Detail

The section below will tell you where each of the parts from above fits into the wiring diagram. This is quite lengthy, but if you are having trouble seeing the diagram or just want more clarification that the diagram above doesn’t deliver, hopefully this will help:

Column AColumn BColumn C

Battery Bank Wiring
This section contains all of the parts necessary to wire the battery bank together. These products include the batteries as well as the related wiring parts that you will need to make the battery to battery connections.
ProductQtyLink
100Ah Battle Born Lithium Batteries4
2/0 Red Wire5
2/0 Black Wire5
2/0 x 5/16" Wire Lug12
3/4" Red Heat Shrink6
3/4" Black Heat Shrink6

Alternative Battery Choices
If you wish to use batteries other than the 100Ah Battle Born Lithium Batteries listed above, the following batteries can be substituted in place with no additional changes to the wiring diagram or parts list (Battery Bank Wiring section has enough lugs wire & heat shrink for up to 4 individual batteries). Note: At least 200Ah of batteries must be used to support a 2000w Inverter. Please consider battery warranties, customer service, and user reviews when choosing a battery from below. EXPLORIST.life does not necessarily endorse the battery brands below but is simply showing examples of optional batteries that will work in the diagram featured on this page.
100Ah Renogy Lithium Batteries
170Ah Renogy Lithium Batteries
100Ah Renogy AGM Batteries
200Ah Renogy AGM Batteries
200Ah Aims Lithium Batteries
100Ah ExpertPower Lithium Batteries
200Ah ExpertPower Lithium Batteries
100Ah Weize Lithium Batteries

Battery Bank to Busbars
This section contains all of the parts necessary to wire the battery bank to the main DC distribution busbar. The busbar itself as well as the shunt for the battery monitor and fuse mounted inside to the busbar protecting the positive wire from overcurrent can be found in this section. The busbar is essentially an extension of the battery terminals and allows you to deliver power where it needs to go and houses the fuses necessary to protect the wires leaving the busbar. The Battery monitor allows you to know how full your batteries are, know how much power you are actively gaining or losing, and see the historical data of your power usage.
ProductQtyLink
Victron Fused Busbar1
6 Post Busbar1
Victron SmartShunt1
2/0 Red Wire5
2/0 Black Wire5
2/0 x 5/16" Wire Lug6
2/0 x 3/8" Wire Lug4
3/4" Red Heat Shrink6
3/4" Black Heat Shrink4
250 Amp ANL Fuse1
ANL Fuse Holder1
Master Disconnect1

Busbar to Inverter/Charger
This section contains the Inverter Charger and all of the parts necessary to wire the Inverter Charger to the Positive and Negative busbars. The Inverter Charger allows you to re-charge your batteries from 'shore power' and also converts the 12v DC power stored in your batteries to 120V AC power like you'd find in your standard household wall outlet.
ProductQtyLink
2000W Renogy Inverter/Charger1
2/0 Red Wire5
2/0 Black Wire5
8 AWG Black Wire5
2/0 x 5/16" Wire Lug4
8 AWG x 5/16" Wire Lug1
8 AWG Ferrule1
3/4" Red Heat Shrink2
3/4" Black Heat Shrink2
1/2" Black Heat Shrink2
200 Amp MEGA Fuse1

Alternative Inverter/Charger Choices
If you wish to use an Inverter/Charger other than the 2000W Renogy Inverter/Charger listed above, the following batteries can be substituted in place with no additional changes to the wiring diagram or parts list. Note: At least 200Ah of batteries must be used to support a 2000w Inverter.
2000W AIMS Inverter/Charger1
2000W Kisae Inverter/Charger1

Busbar to B2B Charger
This section contains the battery to battery charger as well as the wiring that you need to connect the battery to battery charger to the positive and negative busbars. This will allow you to charge your house battery bank from the engine alternator.
ProductQtyLink
Renogy 60A DC-DC Charger1
4 AWG Red Wire5
4 AWG Black Wire5
4 AWG x 5/16" Wire Lug4
1/2" Red Heat Shrink2
1/2" Black Heat Shrink2
80A Mega Fuse1

B2B Charger to Alternator
This section contains all of the wiring necessary to connect the battery to battery charger to the starting battery. This will allow you to charge your house battery bank from the engine alternator.
ProductQtyLink
4 AWG Red Wire20
4 AWG Black Wire20
4 AWG x 5/16" Wire Lug4
4 AWG x 1/4" Wire Lug2
1/2" Red Heat Shrink4
1/2" Black Heat Shrink2
80A DC Breaker1
16 AWG Red Wire20
Add-A-Fuse Kit1

Busbar to DC Fuse Block
This section contains the DC fuse block (which is inside of the AC-DC distribution panel) as well as the wires to connect it to the main DC distribution busbars. This will allow you to deliver power to the DC Fuse block for small branch circuits such as lights, fans, usb outlets, etc..
ProductQtyLink
WFCO AC-DC Distribution Panel1
6 AWG Red Wire10
6 AWG Black Wire10
6 AWG x 5/16" Wire Lug2
6 AWG Ferrule2
1/2" Red Heat Shrink2
1/2" Black Heat Shrink2
100 Amp MEGA Fuse1

Busbar to Chassis Ground
This section includes the parts necessary to allow you to ground your negative busbar to the chassis ground. The chassis ground will be connected to the negative busbar on one side and the other side can go to a factory chassis ground or simply anywhere good metal to metal contact can be made between the wire lug and the bare metal of the body or frame of the camper.
ProductQtyLink
2/0 Black Wire5
2/0 x 5/16" Wire Lug2
3/4" Black Heat Shrink2

Shore Power to Inverter/Charger
This section includes the exterior shore power outlet and shore power cord that allows you to plug your camper into shore power as well as all of the wiring that allows you to connect the exterior shore power cord to your inverter charger. This will allow you to not only use shore power for powering your devices but also allow you to charge your batteries from shore power. Note: 10/3 w/ ground wire you will find at your local hardware store will very likely have 4 wires in it, which is unnecessary. The link for 10 AWG Triplex Wire below has 3 wires inside, which is correct for the application.
ProductQtyLink
30A Shore Power Inlet1
10 AWG Triplex Wire10
10 AWG Ferrule6
1/4" Black Heat Shrink6
30A Shore Power Cord1
30A Shore Power Surge Protector1

Inverter Charger to AC Distribution
This section includes the wiring necessary to connect the inverter charger to the AC side of the AC-DC power distribution panel listed in an earlier section. A quick note... 6/3 stranded wire is used here because although our shore power is 30A max, which 10 gauge wire is adequate for, the PowerAssist function of the Victron Multiplus Inverter Charger can add up to 3000w of battery power to shore power in the event that more power than the shore power can provide is needed. This much power coming from the Inverter/Charger requires 6 gauge wire feeding a 50A main breaker in the AC distribution panel. Also... the 6/3 w/ ground wire you will find at your local hardware store will very likely have 4 wires in it, which is unnecessary. The link for 6 AWG Triplex Wire below has 3 wires inside, which is correct for the application.
ProductQtyLink
10 AWG Triplex Wire10
10 AWG Ferrule6
1/4" Black Heat Shrink6
30A Square D HOM AC Breaker1

Busbars to Solar Charge Controller
This section shows all of the parts necessary to build the solar array and connect it to the solar charge controller. Many different solar array options are available with this charge controller up to 520W. Other similarly sized charge controllers can also be used without changes to the wiring diagram. See the list at the bottom of this parts detail page for suitable alternate charge contollers if desired.
ProductQtyLink
40A Renogy Rover Solar Charge Controller1
8 AWG Red Wire10
8 AWG Black Wire6
1/2" Red Heat Shrink6
1/2" Black Heat Shrink1
60A Mega Fuse1

Solar Charge Controller to Solar Panels
This section shows all of the parts necessary to build the solar array and connect it to the solar charge controller. Many different solar array options are available with this charge controller up to 520W. Visit the following link to see other solar panel choices that may fit your needs: https://www.explorist.life/best-solar-panels-for-a-diy-camper-van/ If you need more personalized help planning your solar array for this diagram, consider joining the explorist.life private group: https://www.community.explorist.life
ProductQtyLink
100W Rich Solar Panels4
10 AWG Red Wire10
10 AWG Black Wire6
1/4" Red Heat Shrink6
1/4" Black Heat Shrink1
2-to-1 MC4 Combiner1
MC4 Connectors5
Solar Disconnect Breaker1
Din Rail Breaker Box1

Order of Operations for DIY Camper Solar Install

Coming soon


Jay

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

If I want to not have the alternator charging option, would I just omit those parts? Or is that required in this system? And if I wanted to upgrade to a 3000w inverter charger, would that just be a swap or is that going to change anything else?

Thanks for all the help!

Mike

Tuesday 31st of May 2022

Hi Nate, I am going to use this diagram for a camper trailer that doesn't have an alternator. Do I still need the dc-dc battery charger and everything for alternator charging? Also If I am only going to use (2) 100w panels do I need to change fuse sizes? Thank you for everything

Liam

Monday 30th of May 2022

Hey Nate, great work on these blogs posts and wiring diagrams! This is extremely helpful to a beginner who is getting ready to design and install a new electrical system on an old slide in truck camper. I have a couple of quick questions:

1) Based on my electrical needs we would really only need 100ah battery, 200watt solar panel, and a 1000watt inverter. Do you have any recommendations on a 1000watt inverter-charger for lithium batteries. I was looking at this Freedom XC, thoughts?

https://grapesolar.com/product/1000-watt-pure-sine-wave-inverter-charger-12v/

2) Would there be any benefitsor disadvantages to a combined DC-DC charger with MPPT such as the Renogy DCC50s?

https://renogy.com/dcc50s-12v-50a-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt/

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Páya

Sunday 22nd of May 2022

Hi Nate! We’re using your diagram but we have a hard time figuring out the chasiss area. When I zoom in even on the one we purchased I can’t read the description on the parts. Could you please explain what exactly is going on in the area where the two negatives from the batteries and the negative bus bar are meeting and then grounding? It looks like some fuse? And what is the positive wire going from there? Thank you!

Kip

Wednesday 18th of May 2022

Each of the Renogy components have a battery temp sensor. Do I run all three to the same location? is there a better way? And what is the best way to attach a temp sensor to a battery? I am using a single 12v 200Ah lithium battery.