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
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
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.
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:
Order of Operations for DIY Camper Solar Install
Coming soon
Trevor
Sunday 28th of March 2021
Hi Nate!
In my current set up I have my negative lead from my battery bank going to a bus bar where the negatives from my inverter, solar charge controller and DC breaker box are all connected. Also all the grounds are connected here which is then bolted to the frame of my van. Would you consider this a safe option? The only difference I really see is no shunt.
Thanks!
Paul L
Sunday 28th of March 2021
Hi Nate - Just bought your 2000W Inverter/Chrg 520W Solar circuit diagram, thanks. I'm puzzling re the use of AWG 2/0 wire for battery bank and Inverter/charger. I see Renogy does call for AWG 2/0 to its 2KW inverter.
But 1. Samlex calls for AWG 3/0 and 350A fuse for their 2212 Inverter/Charger model. (Ok it's 2.2 kW but that's only 10% bigger). 2. If the 2 kW Inverter/Charger can draw sustained 180-200 Amps (ignoring surge power rating of 4000W) and the other DC loads are fused at 100A, is the AWG 2/0 and 250A fuse for battery lines cutting it a little close?
Q: Should I go to AWG 3/0 wire for at least the batteries to the bus? (< 12 ft, not enclosed)? I prefer your AWG 2/0 recommendation for 2kW system, because that is the cable I bought (!), but just checking on your thinking please.
Thanks Paul
https://www.renogy.com/template/files/Manuals/Renogy_1KW-3KW_Inverter_Charger_Manual_V2.0%20%286%29.pdf p. 13 says AWG 2/0 And external fusing (p. 21) is recommended by Renogy at 195A for AWG 2/0 wire, vs 250 your diagram.
https://samlexamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/11025-EVO-2212-3012-2224-4024-1220_Hrez.pdf p. 8 TABLE 1.1.3 Says AWG 3/0 and 350A external fusing for Samlex 2212.
Thanks!
JOSHUA NIEHUES
Tuesday 23rd of March 2021
Nate, this website is so helpful. I recently bought a water-damaged 1970 Security Travel Trailer. I tore it down to the frame and started building it back up. I'm currently in the middle of framing and have started researching the type of electrical system I'll want and need. I have decided on a system that gives me the ability to camp for a few days off-grid, with marginal use of electrical devices...i.e. lights, tv, and maybe a few hours for a space heater. I'll also need the ability to connect to shore power. I think your budget friendly diagram is the way to go for me.
My question is, can I decrease your recommended 4 batteries to 2 batteries. If so, can I also decrease the number of solar panels? Would this affect the wiring diagram? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Josh in Northern California
Michelle
Friday 19th of March 2021
This guide is so great! I am working on purchasing all these parts and had two questions: Could the Victron lynx distributor replace the busbars in this setup? And could you use 4/0 wire in place of the 2/0 without any issues (mainly a sourcing issue on the 2/0). Thanks!
bob shaheen
Sunday 14th of March 2021
Hi Nate, I purchased your PDF of the Renogy 2000W INVERTER | 200-400AH LITHIUM | 200W-520W SOLAR CAMPER WIRING DIAGRAM. Q: You show an 8awg ground from Inverter to Neg Buss. There is no specific grounding lug on the Renogy Inverter - and the Inverter's 2/0 Neg cable goes to Neg Buss that is already grounded at the Shunt. Is this 8awg cable from Inverter to buss necessary? If yes, where do I connect it on the Inverter? Thanks!! Bob