This blog post is an index of ALL of the DIY solar wiring diagrams for campers, vans & RVs you can find here on EXPLORIST.life. There are several options below to choose from. There are varying sizes of systems and this list is constantly changing and expanding to fit your needs. All of the diagrams below feature:
- Lithium Battery Bank Storage
- Ability to Power Devices via Shore Power
- Ability to Charge the Battery Bank via Shore Power
- Ability to Charge the Battery Bank via Solar Panels
- Ability to Charge the Battery Bank via Vehicle Alternator
- Ability to Run both 12V and 120V Appliances
- Applications for DIY Campers, 30A OEM RVs & 50A OEM RVs
How to Best Use This Page – (Video)
This video will show you how to best use this page. Although this page is just an index of all of the wiring diagrams, it’s always helpful to have a bit of a page orientation as you are looking for the right diagram for your needs:
DIY Camper Solar Wiring Diagrams
The following diagrams will get you well on your way to getting your camper prepared for off-grid adventures. There are several diagrams below for various applications of, not only ground-up DIY campers but also OEM RV retrofits. Each of the following diagrams are high end diagrams using primarily Battle Born Lithium Batteries and Victron Energy Components. The solar array size is incredibly flexible depending on the roof space you have available. Check them out and leave any questions/comments you have in the comments section below.
This diagram and parts list is perfect from 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:
- 3000W Inverter Charger
- 400+ Amp Hours of Battery Storage Capacity
- 400W-1200W Solar Array Capacity
- Alternator Charging
- Shore Power Charging/Passthrough
This diagram and parts list is perfect from 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
- 200W-700W Solar Array Capacity
- Alternator Charging
- Shore Power Charging/Passthrough
This diagram and parts list is perfect for retrofitting solar and an upgraded Inverter into a factory build OEM RV with 30A shore power. This system is most suitable for systems that do not have a pre-existing house electrical system installed.
This diagram features:
- 3000W Inverter Charger
- 400+ Amp Hours of Battery Storage Capacity
- 400W-1200W Solar Array Capacity (Optional)
- Alternator Charging (Optional)
- Shore Power Charging/Passthrough
This diagram and parts list is perfect for retrofitting solar and an upgraded Inverter into a factory build OEM RV with 50A shore power. This system is most suitable for systems that do have a pre-existing house electrical system installed.
This diagram features:
- 3000W Inverter Charger
- 400+ Amp Hours of Battery Storage Capacity
- 400W-1200W Solar Array Capacity (Optional)
- Alternator Charging (Optional)
- Shore Power Charging/Passthrough
This diagram is for users requiring extensive power demands through 120V/240V split phase at up to 3000w per leg. This diagram also shows how to wire multiple solar arrays through multiple charge controllers into the Lynx Distributor. This diagram also features full system monitoring through the Victron GX line of devices.
This diagram features:
- Dual 3000W Inverter Chargers for 120V/240V Split Phase
- 600+ Amp Hours of Battery Storage Capacity (12V Battery Bank)
- Up to 5800W of Solar (expandable at a rate of 2900W per charge controller)
- Alternator Charging at a rate of 100A (optional)
- Shore Power Charging/Passthrough
This diagram and parts list is perfect from ground-up electrical installs into campervans, schoolies, or expedition vehicles. This system is most suitable for systems that do not have a pre-existing house electrical system installed. This diagram features high-performance wires, fuses, and fuse holders but chooses more budget-friendly components like Renogy, Aims, Kisae, or similar
This diagram features:
- 2000W Inverter Charger
- 200+ Amp Hours of Battery Storage Capacity
- 200W-520W Solar Array Capacity
- Alternator Charging
- Shore Power Charging/Passthrough
This wiring diagram is a full guidebook for all of the 12V branch circuits like likes, fans, 12v outlets, USB outlets, 12V Refrigerators are other such devices commonly used in DIY Campers.
This wiring diagram shows a typical 6-circuit 120V branch circuit wiring diagram that is commonly used in DIY Campers for 120V outlets, water heaters, air conditioners, and other high wattage devices.
Not sure what size you need? Start with a power audit here: https://www.explorist.life/what-size-of-solar-system-is-needed-to-power-a-camper/
If you are looking for old wiring diagrams you can find those here:
https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams-archive/
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Patricia
Sunday 4th of April 2021
I am just starting to convert my Sprinter van into a modest camper van for dog shows. I purchased a rooftop airconditioner (9000BTU) Coleman low profile, and I also have a Westinghouse iPro2500 Portable Industrial Inverter Generator - 2200 Rated Watts and 2500 Peak Watts, a 2000 watt Renogy inverter/charger, 2 sets of 300 watt solar panels, a 30 amp plug for installing so I can access shore power or my generator if needed, a Renogy Rover 30 Amp 12V/24V MPPT Solar Charge Controller Battery Regulator, and because I need to keep my costs under control, I purchased 3 WEIZE 75AH AGM batteries to wire in parallel. I also have a 12 volt temperature controlled rooftop fan. I only plan to have 3 receptacles and the highest wattage for those will be a 700 watt microwave. No heated water tank etc. I prefer to keep it simple and will only run fans and low voltage stuff. What is your best wiring diagram for me to purchase? Thank you for your assistance.
Thabo Francis Lekalakala
Friday 2nd of April 2021
Hi this is wonderful I like solar wiring diagram of yours
Leo
Thursday 1st of April 2021
Hi Nate,
My wife and I have recently bought a school bus to transform it into a tiny home on wheels! We are super excited for this journey but we are also super nervous! Our problem is that we don't know how much solar to use for our battery bank. We bought 800 Ah in batteries but your diagrams only reach up to 600 Ah. We are looking to see if you have any guidance for families just starting on this journey like us! @rollwithbus
Brian Ó'hÚrdail
Thursday 1st of April 2021
Hi Love your site, very helpful and informative. I'm rewiring a 1989 VW T25/T3 Westfalia Vanagon campervan for off-grid use. My power demands are minimal. I have 120 Watt solar panel and 2 x 80Ah AGM leisure batteries. I will upgrade to LiFePO4 in a year or so, probably self-built. I'd like DC2DC charging from existing, non-smart, alternator. I would like option to charge batteries from 230V 50Hz shore power. The bus already has an external socket for this. I would prefer to use all Victron gear as this is reliable and 'bluetoothable' . Can you recommend a wiring diagram I could use or adapt? Keep up the good work Kindest regards Brian
Pedro rodriguez
Wednesday 31st of March 2021
Just built a house back home in the Dominican Republic grid is kind of far so the company is charging to much so for now what could i built that could run my security system and some lights at night time plus internet any help I appreciate it thanks