This blog post will show you how to install a high end campervan electrical system in a Mercedes Sprinter.
This Sprinter Camper electrical install was designed and installed by me, Nate from EXPLORIST.life, into a Mercedes Sprinter Camper Van built by Waypoint Vehicles, a newly launched professional camper van up fitter based in Los Angeles – focused on building premium adventure vehicles, using only the best of the best products available. This was truly a fun project and I’m excited to share it with you.
This blog post will show you the wiring diagram used, the parts necessary for install, as well as some additional details about the install process.
Waypoint wanted a top-of-the-line camper electrical system, with the ability for customers to expand their systems and evolve over time as needed. This system features a 100% Victron Energy based powerplant with Blue Sea Systems and Switch Pros integration for AC and DC loads which can be switched from multiple locations in the van via touchpad or a smartphone app.
This diagram features:
- 3000W Inverter Charger
- 600 Amp Hours of Battery Storage Capacity
- 180W Solar Array Capacity (Expandable to 440W)
- Alternator Charging (60A)
- Shore Power Charging/Passthrough
- System Management via Victron Connect app & Cerbo GX w/ Touchscreen
History of Changes to this Page (Click to Expand)
Updated diagram to feature Blue Sea 360 AC and DC panel instead of standalone units – Nov 1, 2021
Post Published October 23, 2021
Full Parts Kit For This Install
There are a TON of parts necessary to complete this project. Not only the Inverters and batteries, but lugs, heat shrink, copper washers, ferrules, signal wires, and a ton more. The itemized parts list for all (most) of these parts is listed below… but if you are planning on tackling this project yourself, you should check out the kit I helped Waypoint Vehicles assemble so you can get all of the components delivered to you in one go and save yourself 30 trips to the hardware store (only to find that the hardware store doesn’t have what you need). This is truly going to be the easiest way to source all of the parts for this project. Here is the link to that kit: https://waypoint-vehicles-store.myshopify.com/products/ultimate-power-package
DIY Camper Van Wiring Diagram
DIY Camper Solar Parts – Shopping List
The parts list below is a consolidated parts list for this entire system. This list is about 90% complete as I am having trouble sourcing a few items, but this should get you pointed in the right direction (but those parts are included in the Waypoint x EXPLORIST.life kit linked above).
IMPORTANT NOTE: For the ‘Quantities’ in the below shopping list, each singular component is listed a quantity 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.
Doug
Friday 14th of January 2022
Nate, i purchased your diagram and i have a question regarding running wire from under my VS30 seat (factory Aux battery buss bar F150-5) to my 12/12-30 DC/DC charger. Your diagram has +/- wires running from alternator to the charger. I believe I have 3 options, please verify if they would be correct to do.
1. If I connect to the F150-5 (hot busbar), can i do it with just a single wire, run it back to the dc/dc + input, then connect a negative wire and run it from the ground (in rear of van) to the dc/dc neg input? This will save me a bunch of wire and be easier to get a single wire through the route I've chosen.
2. Connect to F150-5 pos, and neg to ground under seat, run both to DC/DC inputs (ground with output neg)
3. Connect F150 pos to battery disconnect sw, run it to DC/DC input, ground DC/DC neg input same as example 1. I'm not sure this is necessary since i will use the Victron Connect app and believe I'll be able to control the orion this way.
Mike
Tuesday 11th of January 2022
Nate, do you sell a drawing of the electrical system structure?
Nate Yarbrough
Thursday 13th of January 2022
Not for this one, I don't. You'll want to get in contact with Waypoint for that one.
Danny
Sunday 2nd of January 2022
Nate - I am new to your channel but have already watched several hours of content. Very happy that I found someone who is truly a subject matter expert and who provides comprehensive and accurate info. I've had zero OCD moments yelling at the screen while watching your videos! I just purchased your campervan solar diagram and made it my background on my computer - motivation and learning.
My question. . . . .wind? Do you plan to address wind turbines as part of a solar system? If not, please explain. As a newbie (but will ramp up quickly), it seems natural to have a wind feed in to the system. Specifically, I am designing kind of a testbed/emergency system for my pickup. I'm interested in adding a small wind turbine. . . .
Thank you!
Steven
Tuesday 28th of December 2021
Sorry....I posted a few hours ago with a question that was already clearly answered....but I am once again confused and disorientated (but not completely lost)....I am looking at Waypoint Sprinter diagram....and at top right corner....from the neg of the battery to the lynx there is the lynx adapter but also 2 connections for battery minus....to BEP 711-S-EZ switch and a VE cable to Cerbo....is that a shunt? I cannot see any label there. TY
Trevor
Sunday 26th of December 2021
If I use battle born batteries instead of Victron, how will I know the health of each battery when in the bank. If I have 4 batteries, and one fails (BMS shuts down), I'll never know because the other 3 will take over. Is there a way to know this when the failure occurs?