As a retired automotive electrical specialist I just love seeing an electrical system that is properly done and done cleanly. You did a wonderful job...
I like your grounding system overall, but it can be improved by making 2 changes. After you clear the paint to establish the ground, use a star washer between the ground wire and the ground, and then tighten the screw. After your ground is established, repaint the area including the grounding screw to prevent corrosion. Back in the late '60s, I worked for Boeing in their commercial airplane division, both as an Assembler/installer and later as a Quality Control inspector. The grounding method I discussed is how grounds were established on every airplane Boeing built. I had the pleasure of working on several aircraft models, including, 727, 702,720b, 737, and a little bit of what was referred to as the Iron Bird model of the early 747. All that it consisted of were the control systems, for testing. Now I know that your trailer will never be called upon to leave the ground, it WILL be traveling over many different corrosive products...
you all probably dont give a damn but does someone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my login password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me
@Valentino Franklin i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Note the detail at 7:08. See how the screws are all oriented the same direction? That shows the level of craftsmanship in this build! Great job👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Nicely done, both video and electrical work. Tip I learned as an apprentice: when using electrical tape, tape going away from your body and the tape will remain tight and seal better.
thank you Alan! I will remember that.... I usually do it whatever way but thinking about that I can see how it would help to keep a tighter tension on the roll :)
I bought a cheap fixer upper holiday trailer for $1200. And the AC works amazing, the tub is still good, 2 good sinks, a good fridge, good furnace and hot water tank, I wouldn't touch the black water plumbing, tho one could take the toilet. lol so it may be worth hunting around for a trailer you can take apart. Because there could potentially usable pieces from every system required. Love this project. Amazing job
I have owned four different styles of travel trailers and two motorhomes. Not one of them compare to the quality, fit, and finish of your project. If only YOUR workmanship, were the industry standard. Well done indeed!
This is one of the most compete wiring videos on youtube thank you. Most of the videos talks about cutting holes and making connections. Grounding, securing wires is so looked over. Again thank you for taking the time it really helps fill in some of the gaps.
A cup of coffee and ham sandwich, with your video to watch after cutting my yard. Feel like I’m on paradise. Incredible, project and build thanks for sharing the details.
Excellent video with a very clear step-by-step overview of electrical system setup for your Travel Trailer. I am looking to setup for my small overland camper and your video really helps understand how I need to wire and setup the main components of the system. I am looking forward to DIY my camper with a 12V electrical system.
A tip I've learned when it comes to using the spade connectors , if the wires arent easily distinguished like the fan one instead of having the big red tape what I've done is make the wires from the battery side have a female for the negative and male for the positive, that way you can't mix them up if that makes sense
That sounds like a good idea, but I would think you'd want it the other way around, so if a loose lead from the positive happened to fall on some metal parts of the frame, it wouldn't ground out and short. Or am I thinking of it backwards? I would think the male connector, with the exposed metal, would be better as the negative.
That really is neat and serviceable wiring. I trust you will treat the trailer frame earthing points where you've sanded away the coating to make a good earth.
By doing it yourself, DIY, your work is above “ industry, factory, get it out the door “ standards. Factory standards usually stop short, yet, your work reflects going one or two steps forward.
You did an excellent job I just I want to do it myself but I am 80 years old now I cannot I used to wild and do things like that but you did an excellent job
Important note for those new to electrical - Joe used stranded wire for the DC. DC current travels on the outside of a wire. Stranded has more surface area and less resistance for DC current flow. Less resistance = more power. (AC flows through the center of a solid wire and that is appropriate for household current.)
Like in a car, stranded cable is better suited for trailer installations where the wire needs to be able to flex. Solid cable is too rigid and connections will eventually break from being flexed as the trailer moves down the road.
I'll watch all of this particular video on the wiring build as I'm a sparky and electronic hobbyist. I also wired my camper trailer for 12volts. Right up I can see the final electrical panel before I even start the video and it looks neat and tidy, an excellent job and on wood which is a good thing if people are wondering. Wood is a natural insulator of low voltage. For in van wiring I would have used the next gauge up 10B&S (10AWG) for the 12volt power cabling to reduce voltage drop mainly as even 1/2 a volt drop as a percentage of 12 volts is too much. I heard you say this was cheaper option when taping a connector with pvc tape but really that tape is rubbish. It comes apart especially in warmer environments. The self vulcanising tape you spoke of would be way better but again as stated by another, solder and heat shrink is preferred and is the gold standard. I didn't rely on any push connectors as they are asking for trouble but if you must, you can get a lockable spade connector which requires a pointy thing to be inserted into the connector to get them apart. That's a type of connector purpose made for environments where vibration is present and yet soldering beats that hands down and is cheaper. Soon as I saw that inline fuse holder hidden behind a panel I immediately though that a panel mount fuse holder would have been a better option. It mounts on that metal plate along with a stick-on label and the fuse can be checked or changed in a trice by someone who didn't build the van and no need for screwdrivers and panel removal. Good video so far - now I'll watch the rest.
Based on my limited experience, it appears overbuilt. I don't think that's ever a bad thing. Compared to the "professional" wiring I've seen when other channels take things apart, your wiring is superior. BTW, I really like the backsplash. It has, kind of a professional kitchen vibe, which the seam you were worried about, fits right into. Or at least I thought that seam was on purpose, until you said otherwise. So I think I'd keep that to myself.
Beautiful build man, love your rig. This was very well thawed out and then of course, executed. I love your attention to detail. Stay safe on the road.
Wayne Oliver thanks Wayne! Yes, I’m burning the candle at both ends with my day job, stuff around the property that is not video stuff, the video stuff.....and then the mos important family time. But I’m getting closer to catching up and being able to be more consistent in tht projects😀👍
I might think about caulking the outside of those holes through the floor where critters might try to get in to take a free ride in that awesome trailer.
Solid video. Built a sorta same trailer for my family. IMHO you can never have too many USB chargers located anywhere you can set portable electronics (phones, cameras, toys) for charging. This includes on the exterior.
Looks great however I’d add a fuse block directly next to the positive battery post. I’d also add a Victron BatteryProtect 12/24 65A and put it before your loads. This is better than depending on the one in the battery. You set it a little higher than the internal battery cutoff. Later you might think about a BMV-712 battery monitor also from Victron. They are about $200 but you can always see how much battery capacity you have left. Don’t get the lower priced models, stick with the 712. All total it will run about $270 for all of the above.
I second that - definitely a fuse block as close to the positive terminal of the battery as possible - you can even use an 'in-line' one. The purpose is to protect the battery in case of a short to ground anywhere from the fuse block onwards, which could potentially cause the cable to glow red hot and start a fire or worse, cause the battery to explode. Compliments on the tidy wiring installation - the only thing you'll wish you'd done in a few years' time is use heatshrink on the wires. Electrical tape goes all sticky and gooey and falls off after a while. I speak from 40+ years experience in the electronics / electrical industries.
S W and since this is in an area that in theory can have moisture at some point from a leak, some silicone before applying the heat shrink tubing would be a great idea. They also make the shrink tubing that already has silicone too.
Hi Joe! You did a beautiful job! Crimp terminals are notorious for slipping off, to prevent this strip more insulation allowing enough wire to bend back on itself & make the crimp behind the fold. In the instances where the fold is too large to fit, clip a couple wire strands just this side of the fold to eliminate the 'bottleneck'. It's like pulling a 1/4" rope w/a knot thru a 3/8" hose, it can be done, but not without a hard pull. : )
homesteadonomics - Very well done Joe. A dab of lithium grease on the ground to frame connections to keep the metal corroding would be a good idea, particularly on the main battery ground cable. I noticed that the cooler circuit has three sockets for 12v power. In a car a single plug is fused at 10 to 15amps which is reasonable. You said that everything is wired with 14 gauge wire right? Those three plugs used all at once could easily overload that circuit. It's probably unreasonable at this point to rewire that circuit with heavier gauge and separately fuse each socket, so just make sure it's properly fused and don't go power crazy.
I appreciate this video. Not what I thought I was looking for, but you finally showed me how to distribute the power on an overland battery box/rig. Thanks so much.
Getting close! Excellent work. Just a thought, and I'm sure your solar control unit would have the capability (not familiar with that unit, so can't say for certain) hook up an auxiliary charging cable that you can run to your truck, so that you can charge from the alternator whilst driving. This just adds in some redundancy to the charging system, for very little extra investment.
MamboTek thanks! I was planning to do that if I ended up using agm or lead acid batteries. But I think the lithium needs a specific charging type. The solar should be able to charge on the go....that is unless I end up covering with the awning I eventually build. Not sure of the design on that one just yet. But I’m think it’ll be just framework so I think it would be fine.
I loved seeing how you did all of this electrical work which is so neat and organized! You could never make your videos too long! I would watch them for an hour if you posted it sir! Someone on a group on my FB just bought a trailer and he has to rewire and. figure out how to track back and hopefully they did a similar label system as yourself 👍
MAE HAY thank you Mae! I’m disorganized by nature so when I do things like this I try to make an extra effort to do it right to make it easier down the road😀👍
Thank you for explaining and showing everything you did. I am starting my trailer soon, and will have my brother, an electrician, do the wiring, but you have given me something to show him the general idea if what I want. I can't wiat to see the solar video next!
Looks nicely thought out and well executed. Save a few cell phone shots on your computer (as build documentation), with a paragraph or two for each picture explaining the pic. Awesome.
Excellent video Joe! Everything is well built with a detail of fine craftsmanship. I am being honest, but a lot of this is way above my head and I will never build anything like this. I just don't have the skill set. You can tell me different, but you have a ten thousand pound brain.
You mean there's no video of you putting the switch box together!?😒🤣 I like the accessibility of the wiring in the battery box. The light inside there is a nice touch as well.👍
Green Dream Project thank you Jim! Nope for th switch box.....haha....that and like a 100 other things....haha....just not practical to film it all. I just put in a fishing rod hatch with interior holding tube yesterday and didn’t film any of it😂 I should actually be filming a lot of these things now that I think about it😂
Cool setup. I have a 28ft trailer I want to do something similar with in the front of it. Still need to fit my car in the back but I want a simple bed and counter setup in the front.
Wiring exceeds industry standards. I work on these campers and motorhomes for a living. The only thing I would have done differently is put the fuse panel inside the cabin because it sucks figuring that out outside in the frigid cold and rain in the dark because thats when it will fail. Also, you might want to add an RV furnace that runs on propane
Hi Joe; when making the wiring connection splices I saw that you test each one for fit (but didn’t mention it in your running commentary). It’s a very important step, verifying that a proper, snug crimp is made. For your viewers, Joe wiggles and pulls on the wire, this is the point at which a loose connection with come apart. A loose connection is a fire hazard, as it heats excessively while flowing current. Good job, Joe. On another note, is the trailer aluminum? If so, what precautions do you take to ensure a good ground connection? Aluminum has a greater expansion/contraction rate than copper, resulting in loosening connections. I think there’s a paste that can be applied to those connections. Thanks for sharing, Joe. Daniel, in SoCal.
that looks like a perfect job to me very nice work has always there must be something about firemen being builders i know 3 firemen and they all have built there own homes and are very handy
Jason Facchini thank you Jason! I don’t know if it runs in our blood....but it’s probably more likely that we are just dumb enough and have enough time to take on projects like this...lol....we usually know enough to get us into trouble😂 But are also stubborn enough to keep trudging along😉
I have searched all through the comments and thought I was paying enough attention but I have missed what the overall size of your camper is. Super build by the way and thanks for the inspiration! Cheers!
That is beautiful, meticulous, and excellent functionality! You continue to amaze me with your well thought out attention to details. Thank you so much for this video.
I run a separate ground circuit in case of lightning strike. Also a high voltage discharge, think tazer, deturent system. My truck, Frank the Tank, has one.
I’m actually surprised that the tongue box was used for just this purpose I was thinking you would have used for something else but your video is extremely impressive just like all the ones I’ve watched previously ... most jack of all trades master of none don’t excel at a high level of quality... you my friend are an exception to the rule ... I am curious what is your vocation...???... construction, welding,engineering,or aviation??? Every pilot I’ve ever met has been a perfectionist and could do many different skills and at a professional level...
Well done!! Very impressive! The forethought and planning that went into this project is amazing and the production values of the video segments as well. The only criticism I have is that the trailer has a very industrial look rather than my own preference for something more cosy -- wood rather than paint, e.g. but that is very subjective -- we all have different tastes. This trailer was built with love and extraordinary attention to detail. Kudos are in order!!
great video, if you are in a cold climate, then having a lithium battery in outside box might harm the battery, especially if there if no low temp cut off. Lithium gets damages if trying to charge below 32 degree F. Some people make a 12v heating pad to turn on when temps are low. Most people doing lithium keep the batteries inside. I think the relion batteries do have low temp shut off to protect them, and some relions might have internal heaters. If there is no heater in low temp below 32 degree, you would not charge the battery even if parked in full sun if the cut off is working. if there is a heater that of course uses some energy so you need wattage solar system to make up for that energy loss.
Making a suggestion the light inside the battery box you might want to connect it before the shut off switch just incase you need to shut off the power and are trying to work inside the battery box at night.
Thanks for putting out another video. They are all interesting and I've been missing yours! Your videos are always super quality as judged by this viewer.
Very neat, love your camper videos. Took some of the stuff you did to heart in my camper build, wish I had the welding knowledge you have but sadly all my skill is in woodworking. Good job, huge advantage to having a metal frame, ground wires are super short.
Appliance repair guy here. You wont believe how much an actual wire crimping tool does than your way . They are color coded for 3 different solderless connectors. Amazon sells them
As a retired automotive electrical specialist I just love seeing an electrical system that is properly done and done cleanly. You did a wonderful job...
Bob Amos thank you Bob!
Love how neat the wiring is. Not the typical birds nests you see on these videos.
I like your grounding system overall, but it can be improved by making 2 changes. After you clear the paint to establish the ground, use a star washer between the ground wire and the ground, and then tighten the screw. After your ground is established, repaint the area including the grounding screw to prevent corrosion. Back in the late '60s, I worked for Boeing in their commercial airplane division, both as an Assembler/installer and later as a Quality Control inspector. The grounding method I discussed is how grounds were established on every airplane Boeing built. I had the pleasure of working on several aircraft models, including, 727, 702,720b, 737, and a little bit of what was referred to as the Iron Bird model of the early 747. All that it consisted of were the control systems, for testing. Now I know that your trailer will never be called upon to leave the ground, it WILL be traveling over many different corrosive products...
you all probably dont give a damn but does someone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account?
I stupidly lost my login password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me
@Liam Edison Instablaster :)
@Valentino Franklin i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Valentino Franklin It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thank you so much, you saved my account :D
@Liam Edison happy to help xD
Note the detail at 7:08. See how the screws are all oriented the same direction? That shows the level of craftsmanship in this build! Great job👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Nicely done, both video and electrical work. Tip I learned as an apprentice: when using electrical tape, tape going away from your body and the tape will remain tight and seal better.
thank you Alan! I will remember that.... I usually do it whatever way but thinking about that I can see how it would help to keep a tighter tension on the roll :)
I bought a cheap fixer upper holiday trailer for $1200. And the AC works amazing, the tub is still good, 2 good sinks, a good fridge, good furnace and hot water tank, I wouldn't touch the black water plumbing, tho one could take the toilet. lol so it may be worth hunting around for a trailer you can take apart. Because there could potentially usable pieces from every system required. Love this project. Amazing job
This is the cleanest shop I’ve ever seen.
UncleHank only clean for tht videos😉
I have owned four different styles of travel trailers and two motorhomes. Not one of them compare to the quality, fit, and finish of your project. If only YOUR workmanship, were the industry standard. Well done indeed!
Nice workmanship. Good to see someone take the necessary time to do it right.
S FERG thank you! It’s not perfect but I try to do my best😀🙏
This is one of the most compete wiring videos on youtube thank you. Most of the videos talks about cutting holes and making connections. Grounding, securing wires is so looked over. Again thank you for taking the time it really helps fill in some of the gaps.
Great video. As for "Industry Standards", I think you would find that few "factory builders" do half as
well.
Hammer thanks Hammer!
A cup of coffee and ham sandwich, with your video to watch after cutting my yard. Feel like I’m on paradise. Incredible, project and build thanks for sharing the details.
St Myles oh man! Now those are some kind words! 🙏 😀👍
Excellent video with a very clear step-by-step overview of electrical system setup for your Travel Trailer. I am looking to setup for my small overland camper and your video really helps understand how I need to wire and setup the main components of the system. I am looking forward to DIY my camper with a 12V electrical system.
Crisp, clean lines, solid, well laid out, as per usual
Free Saxon thank you FS!
A tip I've learned when it comes to using the spade connectors , if the wires arent easily distinguished like the fan one instead of having the big red tape what I've done is make the wires from the battery side have a female for the negative and male for the positive, that way you can't mix them up if that makes sense
That sounds like a good idea, but I would think you'd want it the other way around, so if a loose lead from the positive happened to fall on some metal parts of the frame, it wouldn't ground out and short. Or am I thinking of it backwards? I would think the male connector, with the exposed metal, would be better as the negative.
hartk1213 yes sir! I get what you’re saying and I think it’s a good plan for sure. But hopefully I won’t be re wiring these for a long time😉👍
@@BruceS42 Yes, you are correct. Male connector should be negative
That was a beautiful job of the wiring system in the battery compartment. Everything is nice and neat and labeled. Just the way I like it. Good Job!!
That really is neat and serviceable wiring. I trust you will treat the trailer frame earthing points where you've sanded away the coating to make a good earth.
Benny Banger thanks! I added battery terminal grease on the bare areas😀👍
By doing it yourself, DIY, your work is above “ industry, factory, get it out the door “ standards. Factory standards usually stop short, yet, your work reflects going one or two steps forward.
You did an excellent job I just I want to do it myself but I am 80 years old now I cannot I used to wild and do things like that but you did an excellent job
You do GREAT work better than some factory stuff in my RV. No such thing as over protecting the wires in my book.
Robert Cookson thanks! And yes, keeping the wiring protected was tops in my book!😀👍
Very good job! One thing: after you burnish for your grounds wipe Alodine over the raw aluminum --- prevents corrosion.
Important note for those new to electrical - Joe used stranded wire for the DC.
DC current travels on the outside of a wire. Stranded has more surface area and less resistance for DC current flow.
Less resistance = more power.
(AC flows through the center of a solid wire and that is appropriate for household current.)
KaleidoscopeJunkie thanks KJ! Well explained😀👍🙏
Like in a car, stranded cable is better suited for trailer installations where the wire needs to be able to flex. Solid cable is too rigid and connections will eventually break from being flexed as the trailer moves down the road.
I'll watch all of this particular video on the wiring build as I'm a sparky and electronic hobbyist. I also wired my camper trailer for 12volts. Right up I can see the final electrical panel before I even start the video and it looks neat and tidy, an excellent job and on wood which is a good thing if people are wondering. Wood is a natural insulator of low voltage. For in van wiring I would have used the next gauge up 10B&S (10AWG) for the 12volt power cabling to reduce voltage drop mainly as even 1/2 a volt drop as a percentage of 12 volts is too much.
I heard you say this was cheaper option when taping a connector with pvc tape but really that tape is rubbish. It comes apart especially in warmer environments. The self vulcanising tape you spoke of would be way better but again as stated by another, solder and heat shrink is preferred and is the gold standard. I didn't rely on any push connectors as they are asking for trouble but if you must, you can get a lockable spade connector which requires a pointy thing to be inserted into the connector to get them apart. That's a type of connector purpose made for environments where vibration is present and yet soldering beats that hands down and is cheaper.
Soon as I saw that inline fuse holder hidden behind a panel I immediately though that a panel mount fuse holder would have been a better option. It mounts on that metal plate along with a stick-on label and the fuse can be checked or changed in a trice by someone who didn't build the van and no need for screwdrivers and panel removal.
Good video so far - now I'll watch the rest.
Very clean job. Your wiring is SO much better than your aluminum welding. :)
Good idea putting in traditional 12v outlets. A lot of 12v tools don't use USBs.
Based on my limited experience, it appears overbuilt. I don't think that's ever a bad thing. Compared to the "professional" wiring I've seen when other channels take things apart, your wiring is superior.
BTW, I really like the backsplash. It has, kind of a professional kitchen vibe, which the seam you were worried about, fits right into. Or at least I thought that seam was on purpose, until you said otherwise. So I think I'd keep that to myself.
Beautiful build man, love your rig. This was very well thawed out and then of course, executed. I love your attention to detail. Stay safe on the road.
Glad to see you back. Les said you have been a really busy guy.
Wayne Oliver thanks Wayne! Yes, I’m burning the candle at both ends with my day job, stuff around the property that is not video stuff, the video stuff.....and then the mos important family time. But I’m getting closer to catching up and being able to be more consistent in tht projects😀👍
I'm excited for the solar video
Trainz2950 me too! Because it’ll mean that it’s done and installed😉👍
I might think about caulking the outside of those holes through the floor where critters might try to get in to take a free ride in that awesome trailer.
I admire all the forethought used in planning for your electric! Excellent! : )
J Jo thank you J Jo!
This is the best battery/wiring videos i have viewed, thanks for your video…..Bob
I have had several types of RV. Great job😃! Way better than any factory job.
Solid video. Built a sorta same trailer for my family. IMHO you can never have too many USB chargers located anywhere you can set portable electronics (phones, cameras, toys) for charging. This includes on the exterior.
Well done and well executed with ample safe guards.
Looks great however I’d add a fuse block directly next to the positive battery post.
I’d also add a Victron BatteryProtect 12/24 65A and put it before your loads. This is better than depending on the one in the battery. You set it a little higher than the internal battery cutoff.
Later you might think about a BMV-712 battery monitor also from Victron. They are about $200 but you can always see how much battery capacity you have left. Don’t get the lower priced models, stick with the 712.
All total it will run about $270 for all of the above.
I second that - definitely a fuse block as close to the positive terminal of the battery as possible - you can even use an 'in-line' one. The purpose is to protect the battery in case of a short to ground anywhere from the fuse block onwards, which could potentially cause the cable to glow red hot and start a fire or worse, cause the battery to explode. Compliments on the tidy wiring installation - the only thing you'll wish you'd done in a few years' time is use heatshrink on the wires. Electrical tape goes all sticky and gooey and falls off after a while. I speak from 40+ years experience in the electronics / electrical industries.
S W and since this is in an area that in theory can have moisture at some point from a leak, some silicone before applying the heat shrink tubing would be a great idea. They also make the shrink tubing that already has silicone too.
Hi Joe! You did a beautiful job! Crimp terminals are notorious for slipping off, to prevent this strip more insulation allowing enough wire to bend back on itself & make the crimp behind the fold. In the instances where the fold is too large to fit, clip a couple wire strands just this side of the fold to eliminate the 'bottleneck'. It's like pulling a 1/4" rope w/a knot thru a 3/8" hose, it can be done, but not without a hard pull. : )
Nice job! I would prefer non insulated crimps with a better crimper and definitely heat shrink. But very nice, clean work.
Very Nice mate. The pride in your work is awesome.
Thank you for this video. Counting down the time when I'll be able to start my own build.
Dag TheWog thanks for checking it out!😀🙏
Glad to see you back! Nice wiring job.
John Hunter thanks! always glad to post a video....because it means I’m one steps closer😀👍
homesteadonomics - Very well done Joe. A dab of lithium grease on the ground to frame connections to keep the metal corroding would be a good idea, particularly on the main battery ground cable. I noticed that the cooler circuit has three sockets for 12v power. In a car a single plug is fused at 10 to 15amps which is reasonable. You said that everything is wired with 14 gauge wire right? Those three plugs used all at once could easily overload that circuit. It's probably unreasonable at this point to rewire that circuit with heavier gauge and separately fuse each socket, so just make sure it's properly fused and don't go power crazy.
Nice job on the wiring!
Thanks Chevy!
Nice work Joe. Clean wiring install.
Jess Neal thank you Jess!
I appreciate this video. Not what I thought I was looking for, but you finally showed me how to distribute the power on an overland battery box/rig. Thanks so much.
Really looking good! Excited to hear about your first camping adventure with your family!! You all SOOO...deserve it!!! :)
MM X3 thanks Mmx3😉👍🙏
Really good wiring system. I've seen "pro" electricians that didn't do as good a job!
Getting close! Excellent work.
Just a thought, and I'm sure your solar control unit would have the capability (not familiar with that unit, so can't say for certain) hook up an auxiliary charging cable that you can run to your truck, so that you can charge from the alternator whilst driving.
This just adds in some redundancy to the charging system, for very little extra investment.
MamboTek thanks! I was planning to do that if I ended up using agm or lead acid batteries. But I think the lithium needs a specific charging type. The solar should be able to charge on the go....that is unless I end up covering with the awning I eventually build. Not sure of the design on that one just yet. But I’m think it’ll be just framework so I think it would be fine.
I loved seeing how you did all of this electrical work which is so neat and organized! You could never make your videos too long! I would watch them for an hour if you posted it sir! Someone on a group on my FB just bought a trailer and he has to rewire and. figure out how to track back and hopefully they did a similar label system as yourself 👍
MAE HAY thank you Mae! I’m disorganized by nature so when I do things like this I try to make an extra effort to do it right to make it easier down the road😀👍
Thank you for explaining and showing everything you did. I am starting my trailer soon, and will have my brother, an electrician, do the wiring, but you have given me something to show him the general idea if what I want. I can't wiat to see the solar video next!
Looks nicely thought out and well executed. Save a few cell phone shots on your computer (as build documentation), with a paragraph or two for each picture explaining the pic. Awesome.
Place a fuse center in an easily accessible place inside. This helps prevent short circuit fires.
Wow, that's some of the cleanest, most meticulous wiring I've seen. Great video, great job!
Excellent video Joe! Everything is well built with a detail of fine craftsmanship.
I am being honest, but a lot of this is way above my head and I will never build anything like this.
I just don't have the skill set. You can tell me different, but you have a ten thousand pound brain.
John Reinburg thanks John! You are too kind my friend😀🙏
Love it Joe. Getting close to time to take the family out and do a test camping trip.
Trailer looks great, looking forward to the solar panel install.
A great video with informative info where required. This would surely pass inspection here in Australia.
Great video, just wish you had a list of items for people like me that is trying to do it myself.
Loved the "Song of the Cicadas" in the background.
You mean there's no video of you putting the switch box together!?😒🤣 I like the accessibility of the wiring in the battery box. The light inside there is a nice touch as well.👍
Green Dream Project thank you Jim! Nope for th switch box.....haha....that and like a 100 other things....haha....just not practical to film it all. I just put in a fishing rod hatch with interior holding tube yesterday and didn’t film any of it😂
I should actually be filming a lot of these things now that I think about it😂
Cool setup. I have a 28ft trailer I want to do something similar with in the front of it. Still need to fit my car in the back but I want a simple bed and counter setup in the front.
Looks really good. Have a great weekend, Andreas 🇸🇪
Offgrid.se thank you Andreas!
Really awesome. Solid wiring job.
CrossWood thank you CW!
Wiring exceeds industry standards. I work on these campers and motorhomes for a living. The only thing I would have done differently is put the fuse panel inside the cabin because it sucks figuring that out outside in the frigid cold and rain in the dark because thats when it will fail. Also, you might want to add an RV furnace that runs on propane
Super clean, thank you for sharing your build.
Awesome job! The marine breakers work really well between the panels and mppt as they work like a breaker and a switch.
What a fluffy puppy
Ms Archie she is! We need to get her summer cut soon😀
I think these build videos are great. I cant wait until you use it.
Hi Joe; when making the wiring connection splices I saw that you test each one for fit (but didn’t mention it in your running commentary). It’s a very important step, verifying that a proper, snug crimp is made. For your viewers, Joe wiggles and pulls on the wire, this is the point at which a loose connection with come apart. A loose connection is a fire hazard, as it heats excessively while flowing current. Good job, Joe.
On another note, is the trailer aluminum? If so, what precautions do you take to ensure a good ground connection? Aluminum has a greater expansion/contraction rate than copper, resulting in loosening connections. I think there’s a paste that can be applied to those connections.
Thanks for sharing, Joe.
Daniel, in SoCal.
that looks like a perfect job to me very nice work has always there must be something about firemen being builders i know 3 firemen and they all have built there own homes and are very handy
Jason Facchini thank you Jason! I don’t know if it runs in our blood....but it’s probably more likely that we are just dumb enough and have enough time to take on projects like this...lol....we usually know enough to get us into trouble😂 But are also stubborn enough to keep trudging along😉
I have searched all through the comments and thought I was paying enough attention but I have missed what the overall size of your camper is. Super build by the way and thanks for the inspiration! Cheers!
That is beautiful, meticulous, and excellent functionality! You continue to amaze me with your well thought out attention to details. Thank you so much for this video.
oh wow, your wiring is so clean!
I run a separate ground circuit in case of lightning strike. Also a high voltage discharge, think tazer, deturent system. My truck, Frank the Tank, has one.
I’m actually surprised that the tongue box was used for just this purpose I was thinking you would have used for something else but your video is extremely impressive just like all the ones I’ve watched previously ... most jack of all trades master of none don’t excel at a high level of quality... you my friend are an exception to the rule ... I am curious what is your vocation...???... construction, welding,engineering,or aviation??? Every pilot I’ve ever met has been a perfectionist and could do many different skills and at a professional level...
my favorite channel in youtube 👍
Giman Lim awww, thank you GL! 😀🙏
Thanks for sharing. Your explanation makes the project seem doable.
Well done!! Very impressive! The forethought and planning that went into this project is amazing and the production values of the video segments as well. The only criticism I have is that the trailer has a very industrial look rather than my own preference for something more cosy -- wood rather than paint, e.g. but that is very subjective -- we all have different tastes. This trailer was built with love and extraordinary attention to detail. Kudos are in order!!
Excellent, clean work! Your shop is also squared away, and it looks like a really useful, well thought out space.
I had nothing to do today so I've been in one spot binge watching this project. Great job!
great video, if you are in a cold climate, then having a lithium battery in outside box might harm the battery, especially if there if no low temp cut off. Lithium gets damages if trying to charge below 32 degree F. Some people make a 12v heating pad to turn on when temps are low. Most people doing lithium keep the batteries inside. I think the relion batteries do have low temp shut off to protect them, and some relions might have internal heaters. If there is no heater in low temp below 32 degree, you would not charge the battery even if parked in full sun if the cut off is working. if there is a heater that of course uses some energy so you need wattage solar system to make up for that energy loss.
Good work sir! Can't wait to see the solar set up.
very neat wiring...very nice project....love your videos and DIY style
Making a suggestion the light inside the battery box you might want to connect it before the shut off switch just incase you need to shut off the power and are trying to work inside the battery box at night.
Man U have enough room for 2 batteries, Great job
Thanks for putting out another video. They are all interesting and I've been missing yours! Your videos are always super quality as judged by this viewer.
Mark Boettcher thank you so much mark! I try to make them as best I can😀🙏
I love the clean install, well thought-out design and nice camera work
Looking so good.
Granny Prepper thank you granny p!
Great job! This is a great video teaching me and us how to think about wiring our own jobs. Thanks!
Very neat, love your camper videos. Took some of the stuff you did to heart in my camper build, wish I had the welding knowledge you have but sadly all my skill is in woodworking.
Good job, huge advantage to having a metal frame, ground wires are super short.
You have done a really nice job on this project.
acet7 thanks Ace!
Appliance repair guy here. You wont believe how much an actual wire crimping tool does than your way . They are color coded for 3 different solderless connectors. Amazon sells them
Nice install really neat thank you for sharing
Great video Joe! Love the super clean and organized install.
Daniel Courtney thank you Daniel!
Great job and thank you for sharing with such a thorough explanation.
Thank you for posting, looks like you are almost ready to camp!
Great video! I've been looking for a good video covering grounding.
Graywater holding tank? Trash Bin? Beautiful little trailer! Great job!
Fantastic man, great job. That wiring is so clean & organized it's amazing.
You said it's a long video !!!! No!!! that's pretty good! It's rewarding to see everything and your skills!
Carlos Eduardo Zampol thank you carlos! Sorry for the slow reply