I was a bit apprehensive dipping into AC electrics after spending such an immense time researching my DC electrical system. It turned out to be relatively straight forward just wiring a consumer unit from my inverter and from that, three plug sockets.
Read moreI'm a cheapskate, so I bought a cheap heater. But not without doing a lot of research first. There are an incredible amount of reviews for these cheap diesel heaters online and everyone says they're just as good as the expensive version. Luckily, I also had a small fuel line from a previous heater that I could tap into under the van.
Read moreThe final part of my short electrical series, ending with a bang and illuminating my van with some 12V lighting! This felt like a hugely symbolic moment, after all the work cutting and crimping wires, all my research and hard work came down to the pressing of an on switch...
Read moreThe last major component to be installed in my electrical system! Inverters convert the 12V direct current that my electrical system uses, into a 230V alternating current, allowing me to use appliances that plug into household sockets like laptops, phone chargers and my Thomas the Tank Engine nightlight.
Read moreThe fuse box is where all my 12v appliances will be wired to, such as my fridge, lights and roof fans. The fuse box allows for each individual appliance to be protected by a fuse. Further to that, I installed a Victron Battery Protect which monitors the battery level and will disconnect the fuse box if it gets too low.
Read moreWith my solar panel already installed on my roof, it was just a case of wiring it into my system via a Victron solar controller. Being the boujee guy that I am, I got bought a controller that can be monitor on my phone via bluetooth. I just need to work out what all the numbers mean...
Read moreVoltage sensitive relays are a great alternative way of charging the leisure batteries (especially when cloudy) and will allow you to charge them as you drive your van. Luckily for me, there was already one installed in the van, I just tidied it up a bit and added a circuit breaker.
Read moreThe first stage of my electrical system - Wiring up two AGM leisure batteries as well as a Victron battery monitor to power my 12V electrical system. This post covers a lot of juicy stuff like battery size, battery type, cable sizing and even a little bit of basic school level science.
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