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This wiring diagram will show you everything you need to know about installing the core elements of a high-end camper solar electric setup. This system features a 3000 watt inverter and can handle MANY different configurations of solar panel array with almost no changes to the core wiring of this diagram. This is a long read and if you have questions, drop them in the comments below or if you feel you need additional guidance, you can set up a call with me: CLICK HERE for more info.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE HI-RES PRINTABLE PDF OF THIS DIAGRAM
3000W Victron Multiplus Inverter Charger
In the next section, I’ve put together a list with all of the wires, lugs, fuses, heat shrink, terminals and such consolidated and totaled up into a parts shopping list.
If you would like to buy all of the wires, fuses, lugs, and accessories from me, I have made that available for you and you can check out that wiring kit here: https://www.explorist.life/shop/wiring-kits/3000w-150v-600ah-camper-solar-wiring-kit/
Although this won’t save you much money, it’s priced the same as if you were to buy all of the parts from Amazon and I’m hoping that offering this wiring kit will simplify the process as sometimes Amazon runs out of stock or switches products on me out of nowhere. If you’d rather go through Amazon or shop around for the best pricing, that’s totally fine and I hope this list helps.
(Note: Wire listed as Quantity = Feet. Heat Shrink as qty 1 = 2.25″. Everything else is listed as a Quantity = Each)
DETAILED PARTS BREAKDOWN
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:
| Part Description | Qty/Ft | Product |
| Batteries | 6 | 100Ah Battle Born Lithium Batteries |
| (Qty: 5) x 6.5″ x 4/0 Positive Battery Interconnect Wires | 3 | 4/0 Red Wire |
| (Qty: 5) x 6.5″ x 4/0 Negative Battery Interconnect Wires | 3 | 4/0 Black Wire |
| Wire Lugs on Battery Interconnect Wires | 20 | 4/0 x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Heat Shrink on Positive Battery Interconnect Wires | 10 | 1″ Red Heat Shrink |
| Heat Shrink on Negative Battery Interconnect Wires | 10 | 1″ Black Heat Shrink |
| Fuse Holder mounted on Positive Battery lug Protecting Positive Wire to Busbar | 1 | Terminal ANL Fuse Holder |
| ANL Fuse Protecting Positive Wire | 1 | 400 Amp ANL Fuse |
| Inverter | 1 | 12v Victron Multiplus 3kw |
| Positive DC Wire from Busbar to Inverter | 2 | 4/0 Red Wire |
| Negative DC Wire from Busbar to Inverter | 2 | 4/0 Black Wire |
| Ground DC Wire from Busbar to Inverter | 2 | 4/0 Black Wire |
| DC Wire Lugs on Positive Inverter Terminal | 1 | 4/0 X 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Red Heat Shrink on DC Wire Lugs on Positive Inverter Terminal | 1 | 1″ Red Heat Shrink |
| DC Wire Lugs on Negative Inverter Terminal | 1 | 4/0 X 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Black Heat Shrink on DC Wire Lugs on Negative Inverter Terminal | 1 | 1″ Black Heat Shrink |
| DC Wire Lugs on Ground Inverter Terminal | 1 | 4/0 X 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Black Heat Shrink on DC Wire Lugs on Ground Inverter Terminal | 1 | 1″ Black Heat Shrink |
| DC Wire Lugs on Positive Busbar ANL Fuse to Inverter | 1 | 4/0 X 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Red Heat Shrink on DC Wire Lugs on Positive Busbar ANL Fuse to Inverter | 1 | 1″ Red Heat Shrink |
| DC Wire Lugs on Negative Busbar ANL Fuse to Inverter | 1 | 4/0 X 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Black Heat Shrink on DC Wire Lugs on Negative Busbar ANL Fuse to Inverter | 1 | 1″ Black Heat Shrink |
| DC Wire Lugs on Busbar from Inverter Ground Wire | 1 | 4/0 X 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Black Heat Shrink on DC Wire Lugs on Negative Busbar ANL Fuse to Inverter | 1 | 1″ Black Heat Shrink |
| Wire from AC Out to Power Distribution Panel | 10 | 6/3 Wire |
| Wire from Shore Power Inlet to Inverter Charger | 15 | 10/3 Wire |
| Shore Power Inlet Flange | 1 | 30A Flanged Power Inlet |
| Solar Panels | 3 | 100W Renogy Solar Panel |
| Charge Controller | 1 | Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150 | 100 |
| Positive Pre-Series Termination Solar Wires | 25 | 10 AWG Red Wire |
| Negative Pre-Series Termination Solar Wires | 15 | 10 AWG Black Wire |
| Solar Interconnect MC4 Connectors | 0 | MC4 Connectors |
| MC4 Connector from Single-Series Array to Charge Controller | 1 | MC4 Connectors |
| Dual Pole Disconnect Upstream of Charge Controller | 1 | 50A Dual Pole Solar Disconnect |
| Din Rail Breaker Box | 1 | Din Rail Breaker Box |
| Positive Wire between Charge Controller and ANL Fuse on Positive Busbar | 5 | 2 AWG Red Wire |
| Negative Wire between Charge Controller and Negative Busbar | 5 | 2 AWG Black Wire |
| Fuse connecting Charge Controller to Positive Busbar | 1 | 150 Amp ANL Fuse |
| Wire Lug on ANL Fuse on Positive Busbar | 1 | 2 AWG x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Heat Shrink on Wire Lug on ANL Fuse on Positive Busbar | 1 | 3/4″ Red Heat Shrink |
| Wire Lug on Negative Busbar | 1 | 2 AWG x 3/8″ Wire Lug |
| Heat Shrink on Wire Lug on Negative Busbar | 1 | 3/4″ Black Heat Shrink |
| Roof Entry Gland | 1 | Roof Entry Gland |
| 4/0 Wire from Battery Bank to Positive Busbar | 5 | 4/0 Red Wire |
| 4/0 Wire from Battery Bank to Negative Busbar | 5 | 4/0 Black Wire |
| Lug attaching positive Battery to Busbar wire to Terminal ANL Fuse Holder | 1 | 4/0 x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Heat Shrink on Lug attaching positive Battery to Busbar wire to Terminal ANL Fuse Holder | 1 | 1″ Red Heat Shrink |
| Lug atttaching negative battery to Busbar wire to Negative Battery Terminal | 1 | 4/0 x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Heat Shrink on Lug atttaching negative battery to Busbar wire to Negative Battery Terminal | 1 | 1″ Black Heat Shrink |
| Lug attaching positive Battery to Busbar wire to Busbar | 1 | 4/0 x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Heat Shrink on Lug attaching positive Battery to Busbar wire to Busbar | 1 | 1″ Red Heat Shrink |
| Lug attaching positive Battery to Busbar wire to Shunt | 1 | 4/0 x 3/8″ Wire Lug |
| Heat Shrink on Lug attaching positive Battery to Busbar wire to Shunt | 1 | 1″ Black Heat Shrink |
| Power Distribution Panel | 1 | WFCO AC-DC Distribution Panel |
| Positive DC Wire from Busbar to Distribution Panel | 10 | 6 AWG Red Wire |
| Negative DC Wire from Busbar to Distribution Panel | 10 | 6 AWG Black Wire |
| Wire Lug connecting Positive wire to Distribution Panel | 1 | 6 AWG x Ferrule |
| Wire Lug connecting Nevative wire to Distribution Panel | 1 | 6 AWG x Ferrule |
| Wire Lug connecting Positive wire to Busbar from DC Distribution Panel | 1 | 6 AWG x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Wire Lug connecting Negative wire to Busbar from DC Distribution Panel | 1 | 6 AWG x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Heat shrink on Positive wire from Busbar to DC Distribution Panel | 2 | 1/2″ Red Heat Shrink |
| Heat shrink on Negative wire from Busbar to DC Distribution Panel | 2 | 1/2″ Black Heat Shrink |
| ANL Fuse Protecting Positive Wire from Busbar to DC Distribution Panel | 1 | 100 Amp ANL Fuse |
| Main AC Breaker in Power Distribution Panel | 1 | HOM 50 Breaker |
| Breaker Space 1 | 1 | HOMT 2020 Breaker |
| Battery Isolator / B2B Charger | 1 | Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger |
| Positive Wire between Starting Battery and Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger | 15 | 6 AWG Red Wire |
| Negative Wire Between Starting Battery and Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger | 15 | 6 AWG Black Wire |
| Positive Wire from Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger To Busbar System | 5 | 6 AWG Red Wire |
| Negative Wire from Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger To Busbar System | 5 | 6 AWG Black Wire |
| Wire Lugs on Starting Battery | 2 | 6 AWG x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Wire Lugs on Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger | 2 | 6 AWG x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Wire Lugs on Busbar from Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger | 2 | 6 AWG x 5/16″ Wire Lug |
| Heat Shrink on Positive Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger Wires | 4 | 1/2″ Red Heat Shrink |
| Heat Shrink on Negative Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger Wires | 4 | 1/2″ Black Heat Shrink |
| Fuse Protecting Positive Wire between Starting Battery and Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger | 1 | 50 Amp Terminal Fuse |
| Fuse Protecting Positive Wire between Busbar System and Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v to 12v Charger | 1 | 50 Amp ANL Fuse |
| DC Distribution Busbar | 1 | 1 Space Left, 3 Space Right 4/0 Busbar |
Choosing your Solar Panels & Charge Controller
The above diagram and parts list will be the ‘base’ of your plan but you still need to add an appropriately sized solar charge controller and MC4 combiners as necessary. This diagram is compatible with ANY/ALL of the following solar charge controllers without any changes to wire/fuse sizes.
- Victron SmartSolar 150/45
- Victron SmartSolar 150/60
- Victron SmartSolar 150/70
- Victron SmartSolar 150/85
- Victron SmartSolar 150/100
- Victron SmartSolar 150/45
- Victron SmartSolar 250/60
- Victron SmartSolar 250/70
- Victron SmartSolar 250/85
- Victron SmartSolar 250/100
CLICK HERE to shop for your charge controller
If you are not sure what size of charge controller you need, you must FIRST decide on what solar panels and how many solar panels you will be using in your system.
Once you know WHAT and HOW MANY solar panels you will be using, you must NEXT decide on how they will be wired together.
Now that you know everything you need to know about your solar panel array, you can use this calculator to determine the proper size of charge controller for your system (Video tutorial below calculator):
Now that you know WHAT solar panels, HOW MANY solar panels, HOW TO WIRE your solar panels, and what charge controller will work best with your system, you need to add the correct parts and quantities to your base shopping list above. Here is a template to fill in the blanks:
| Qty | Item | Product |
| 1 | Charge Controller | Victron Smartsolar MPPT _____/_____ |
| ___ | Solar Panels | __________________________ |
| 1 | MC4 Combiner | __________________________ |
| ___ | MC4 Fuse | 30A MC4 Fuse |
| ___ | Additional MC4 Connectors | MC4 Connectors (Pair) |
| ___ | Additional red wire | 10 AWG Red Solar Wire |
| ___ | Additional black wire | 10 AWG Black Solar Wire |
- Fill in ‘Charge Controller’ as determined from earlier.
- Fill in ‘Qty’ and ‘Product’ for item ‘Solar Panels’ based on your needs.
- If your panels are ALL in series. You do not need any additional products and can skip the bullet points below.
- Fill in ‘MC4 Combiner’ based on how many Parallel Panels/Strings you have. Example: 2 parallel strings requires a 2-to-1 MC4 Combiner. 3 parallel strings require a 3-to-1 combiner. 4 parallel strings will require a 4-to-1 MC4 Combiner.
- Fill in ‘Qty for Additional MC4 Connectors’ based on how many parallel panels/strings you have OVER 1. Example: 2 parallel strings requires 1 additional MC4 connector pair. 3 parallel strings will require 2 additional MC4 connector pairs. 4 parallel strings will require 3 additional MC4 Connector pairs.
- Fill in ‘Qty’ for additional red and black wire. A safe quantity for this is 10 feet of EACH per parallel string OVER 1 in your system. Example: 2 parallel strings requires 10 feet of both red AND black wire. 3 parallel strings require 20 feet of both red AND black wire. 4 parallel strings will require 30 feet of both red AND black wire.
If you have any questions about this wiring diagram feel free to drop a question in the comments below. If you’d like to set up a consulting call to talk about your DIY Camper Solar needs, CLICK HERE.
Nate, this is a great diagram.
I’m going to take a couple of days to absorb it.
I’ll be joining your private DIY group soon to ask some specific questions.
Thanks a TON for developing and posting this!!!!
First off Thank You for putting this together! Obviously it was done with great detail. As a novice in solar I’ve been doing a ton of research and my only question is can this be done with a 3500-4000 watt inverter? Most of what I’ve read says that 3000 isn’t quite enough.
Thank you,
David
This wiring setup would likely not work with a 3500-4000w Inverter. For anything bigger than a system with a 3000w Inverter, I’d be recommending switching the entire system to a 24v system. BUT… a 3000w Inverter is big enough for most loads. It can provide about 25A, which is more power than a single circuit on a household breaker. So… Ultimately it depends on what you are trying to power. In my solar power audit, once you put in your values, it will also give you an Inverter size recommendation. Here’s a tutorial for that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a406IxiU-Xg
Hello, Your videos and site have been most helpful in building a skoolie for my daughter. We are struggling with the electrical part a bit. I decided to go with a Victron multiplus just to make it cleaner and neater, but I am not understanding why if the Victron has the charge controller and the MPPT in it already we need to add another charge controller and MPPT exterior to this? We will only use shore power and 800 watts solar. 400 amps lithium batteries to start and add more later as funds are available. I thought for the most part with the Victron, you brought the shore and solar in to it then out to the distribution box, the house batteries, receptacles etc? would it be just as easy to set up without the Victron?
Thank you so much for your help.
The Victron unit with the Inverter and MPPT integrated into one single box (Victron EasySolar) only has an output of 230V (European Electrical Output) and will not work with devices in North America. The EasySolar you are referencing is only really useful to the European market (or the other places in the world where 230v power is the norm).
The Victron MultiPlus is an Inverter/Charger (Charger referring to Charging via shore power) does not have an integrated MPPT for solar charging.
Hi Nate,
thank you for all your hard work. This site has helped tremendously. Just had one quick question. I noticed on this configuration using a 3000w inverter you elected to pair with 100amp fuse at the busbar. But conversely on other diagrams that use a 2000w inverter use used a LARGER 250amp fuse on a smaller system. that seems backwards? The amp fueses also change conversely to the A/C D/C distrubution panel and solar charge controller.
How can i determine what fuses to use on a 3000w inverter but a 400amp hour batter stack? please advise.
Thanks!!!!
That’s a 400A breaker. The low-res must be making the 4 look like a 1.
Does a solar panel array of 1600W and using a 2000W inverter instead of a 3000W inverter change the components/wiring of this diagram any aside from the charge controller? I also need 800 Ah of Lithium batteries rather than the 600 Ah specified, would this change the wiring diagram to the battery bank?
You could downsize most of the wire to 2/0 instead of 4/0 going with a smaller inverter, but for 1600w of solar, I’d recommend either two charge controllers or going to a 24v battery bank. A single victron controller can only handle 1200w of solar into a 12v battery bank and can handle 2400w of solar into a 24v battery bank.
Hi. I’ve been following you recently on YouTube. Question. Why do you connect the ground wire to the negative bus bar? Shouldn’t ground wire be connected to the chassis or proper ground conductor if it was at a home/cabin?
Thank you,
Trung Tran
The ground wire is connected to the negative busbar which is connected to the chassis ground. It’s all tied together.
I have everything I need (after ordering the wiring kit from you) aside from the solar panels. I was wanting to get 4 – 300W panels but I noticed that it seems I can only find them in 24V versus 12V. Does that matter when it comes to the wiring diagram that you have here?
Sounds great! This wiring diagram will handle that. You’ll want to go with the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150|100 and wire your solar panels 2×2 in series and then the two series strings in parallel by using a 2-to-1 branch connector. If you opted to wire all 4 panels in series, you’d want to use the Victron SmartSolar MPPT 250|100.
Nate these diagrams are invaluable.
You have a 50 amp circuit breaker and a 20/20 circuit breaker on this diagram. I understand that the 20 amp breakers are for the 110 outlets. what is the 50 amp breaker for?
That’s the 50A main breaker protecting the entire power distribution panel. Tutorial: https://www.explorist.life/how-to-wire-a-power-distribution-panel/
Hi! I am doing my solar set up and I have decided to use the Renogy 50amp Dc to dc with MPPT. There is not a lot of info on this system and I would love to see you do a solar diagram for this charge controller. Will Prowse has done one but has not done a full diagram with all the components linked to it. I also have questions to check on wire sizes and what monitors I need for the control center of the van. Another question i have with this system is that it allows 25amps from solar and 25amps from the alternator, I am only having 300watts of solar on the roof, which will push 25 amps, so does it matter if i put my panels in series or in parallel?
Hey Sami! I will likely never make a wiring diagram featuring that device as the MPPT on it only has a max voltage of 25 volts, which defeats the purpose of an MPPT in my opinion.
For wire sizes for various components, you should check out this calculator (https://www.explorist.life/wire-sizing-calculator/) and tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki3WXVR48eM)
For series vs parallel: if you are using that device, since it has a maximum input voltage of 25 volts, you are forced into only being able to wire your panels in parallel.