Comfortable off-grid camping in the Pacific Northwest means lots of solar power. This van has 540 Watts of monocrystalline solar panels and a 300 Amp-hour lithium battery to power everything in the van except the air heater and the cooktop (which are diesel powered). When it is really cold, or incredibly dark, a 30 Amp shore power connection and a 1600 Watt inverter can keep it cozy and comfortable.
540 Watts of monocrystalline solar panels
300 Ah Lithium battery from LifeBlue
Victron Multiplus 12/2000 Inverter/Charger
60-VTMPPT Victron charge controller remote w/ cable
BMV-712 Victron Battery monitor, shunt, cables
30s-VT-MPP-50A Victron MPPT 100/50
Ancor marine wiring and connectors
Electrical System is Carefully Planned and Well Labeled
System Monitors
12V and 120V Outlets Installed Throughout the Van
Lights
Lighting in the van is designed to allow for careful control and low power usage. All lights are warm LEDs. Overhead and under cabinet lights are controlled with high quality dimmer switches – no flickering, no humming.
Accessibility
All switches and components are easily accessed and checked from inside the van.
Safety
All circuits are carefully fused, labeled, and protected.
Each wire run is clearly labeled at both ends (and in the middle for long runs) with double wall and glue heat shrink connectors at terminations.
Fuses, fuse boxes, bus bars, switches, and main shore power breaker are all high quality marine grade Blue Sea products.
Electric awning has relay switch that cuts power to the awning when the engine is running (to prevent an accidental awning opening while in motion).
All 120V outlets are GFCI protected.
Stainless Steel 30A shore power plug with a solid sleeve connection and weatherproof seal.Wires are all marine grade Ancor, and whenever possible one size larger than what is required for load.
Each wire run is clearly labeled at both ends (and in the middle for long runs) with double wall and glue heat shrink connectors at terminations.
Fuses, fuse boxes, bus bars, switches, and main shore power breaker are all high quality marine grade Blue Sea products.
Electric awning has relay switch that cuts power to the awning when the engine is running (to prevent an accidental awning opening while in motion).
All 120V outlets are GFCI protected.
Stainless Steel 30A shore power plug with a solid sleeve connection and weatherproof seal.Wires are all marine grade Ancor, and whenever possible one size larger than what is required for load.
Ready for Alternator Charging
Although we found the solar panels to provide more than enough power for our needs, the van comes with a 250Amp engine alternator instead of the standard alternator (OEM Sprinter option M60). This high-output alternator is not only more fuel efficient and quieter, but it provides enough power for an alternator charger to top off the camper battery (in addition to the engine battery) safely. (The standard Sprinter alternator is not sufficient for this and would risk damaging the alternator.) Anticipating this as a potential future upgrade, wiring has been pre-installed behind the van cabinets.