Simple DIY Van Electrical | Ford Econoline
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
- This a walk-through of how we did our simple , easy , and inexpensive campervan electrical system. First you need to think about how much electricity you're going to want. Things like air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators and microwaves use a lot. If you don't plan to use those things in when you're camping, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on your electrical system.
Solar panels are great if you plan to leave your van off for more than a few days, but if you are moving around, the alternator will generate more than enough power to justify the cost of solar panels. It seems like a lot of people just want them for the 'look'. With this system you can always add them later if you find yourself running out of juice.
Calculating Conductor Size: www.bluesea.co...
Battery: Vmaxtanks VMAXSLR125 AGM 12V 125Ah SLA Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery
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Inverter: GoWISE Power 600W Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12V DC to 120V AC
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Isolator: KeyLine Chargers 12V 140 Amp Dual Battery Isolator Voltage Sensitive Relay (VSR)
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Fuse Block: Baomain ANL Fuse Holder (w/ 100 Amp fuse- for 4 gauge cable)
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Fuses: Baomain ANL Fuse 80 Amp 2 Pack (for protecting the 4 gauge cable to starter battery)
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Fuse: 8 AWG Fuse Holder with 5 30 amp fuses (for protecting 8 gauge cable to inverter)
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Fuse Block (12V): 6 Way Blade Fuse Box for Automotive 12v (Fuse block for 12V accessories)
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Very clean job. I would make one suggestion. That being that you need to install some sort of protection device at the front battery to the cable running to the rear. As it stands in the video, that cable will be live at all times and anything that might create a short circuit will fry the cable and possible the van. I would suggest determining the total power need and place a mechanical circuit breaker with the desired level of additional current flow protection. I am a retired automotive electrical specialist and have done a good number of custom wiring jobs and always had protection. Beit, circuit breaker, fuse or fusible links. Great clean job though.
I noticed that too. Fuses should always be placed near the source (Battery) to protect the cable from fire hazard. Correct?
Great job. But I agree with the previous comment, you’re missing a fuse between the front battery and the back one, close to the front battery. It is very easy for a short to happen, especially during an accident.
Awesome video! I'm sure someone down below has already mentioned this, but I haven't found it yet...
It's generally a good idea to put the 100A fuse going from the main battery to your auxiliary battery under the hood closer to the main battery rather than after the many feet of low gauge wire. Imagine for a moment that all of the wood paneling is installed in your van and you need to drill a hole or a screw into the wood paneling. Forgetting where exactly you put your wire, you may accidently drill or screw into your 4AWG wire and simultaneously touch the chassis of your vehicle. This is a fairly unsafe scenario to be in because that short would be before your 100A fuse and could cause a serious electrical fire.
Take a look at the pictures on the Amazon link for that fuse as they show the same thing that I'm recommending.
I'm starting a job that takes me away from home during the week (VERY long commute), so my wife and I are looking at converting a van for me to live out of during the week so we're not spending money on an apartment. This is super helpful in starting the project planning process.
I do auto electrical and unless I missed something, that big fuse you have by the battery in the back, go's next to the battery in front. As soon as it leaves it, to protect it the rest of the way.
This is one of the best of these electrical system vids I have watched.
Decent camera work (instead of the seasick selfie stick some folks use)
None of that over loud royalty free music everyone uses to make their vids more like an HGTV show.
Easy to follow, linear narrative. No BSing, dumb jokes or trying to impress us with your manhood.
Great job!
I totally agree about solar. I'm setting up my van like this first. Then after I get EVERYTHING else sorted out I'm going to go back and add in solar panels for when I go actual camping. Partially for convenience, but also because AAA has a limit to how far they will drive to help you! Don't want a dead starter battery after 4 days in the woods.
I like how many fuses you have built in to your setup. It's a good idea to mitigate any possible electrical faults because a live in van could be a death trap if there was an electrical fire!
I agree with Bob Amos. If you haven’t already installed some sort of short circuit protection. Do it ASAP on both batteries positive wire terminals. There’s a lot of wood in your van. It could be a huge bonfire 🔥 if the 4gauge wires short out. Pack rats 🐀 could also eat through the conduit / insulation and cause a short circuit. Always best to properly protect electrical wiring.
Good luck and enjoy your 🚐
a proper sized breaker spliced before prior to the inverter would not only be a wise safety measure but it would also allow you to disconnect power to the inverter. Often times even when your electronics are off the system will still draw power thus draining your batteries. I appreciate the video. I am waiting one some nicer weather to begin installing my 2000w inverter system in my Corolla (stupid I know) Im thinking about holding off until I get a more worthy rig and livable rig
Congrats on not electrocuting yourself . Im little apprehensive about my install. Thanks for the circuit diagram
Awesome video, thank you! Clean design, love it! Please keep us updated on battery energy usage, and future upgrades.. Inverter fuses are probably much more expensive and hard to change.
Nice "van down by the river" reference
Thanks for the schematic and chart.
Great info, thanks for sharing. We are currently converting a bus.
Glad you found it helpful!
Thank you
Great video answered all my questions thanks
Need a fuse off the positive off the battery in the front to the run in the back. All else looks good.
Great explanation & details, thanks.
a well laid out wire job, looks professional to me, who knows nothing about wiring things
Thanks for the great video, and the equipment list.
Great video, simple and clear as usual. I plan on copying your this set up in my E250, as it seems sturdy, safe, and fits my needs as well. What shop did you use for all the supplies ?
Thanks a lot, greetings from Van-couver!
well i am ready to get my battery, and see if i did everything right lol
Is owning one of those javkery systems the same as doing something with electrical?
Hi. You mentioned something about not being able to drain the battery to accommodate solar. Why is this? Or what do you mean you have to drain the battery to hook up solar? Thanks.
Hey Im having trouble determining two wire sizes. I have basically the same set up, the only difference is I have a maxxair deluxe fan and a 1000W inverter (same Brand) My question is do I need to use a larger wire than 8 awg for my slightly bigger inverter? and Can I use the same size wire for my fan that you did? Thanks! Your channel has been by far the most helpful with my conversion.
Hi Ammon, determine how many amps those things pull (should be in the specs) and then use this chart to determine the gauge of your conductors: www.bluesea.com/resources/1437. If you are on the fence between sizes, size up to a larger diameter gauge wire (lower number gauge).
I’m curious if anyone used a shore plug for campgrounds or went with a high output alternator?
Great tips. What do you do about a/c? I assume you live in, and stay in a cool place. I dont. So im planning on installing an rv type roof ac. And running it off shore power or a generator . i wish i could get by with a roof vent. I did the extra seat too except sideways but i like yours better.
We do live in a fairly cool place, so far this hasn't been too much of an issue.
Saw your other video doing paneling, etc. Interesting because it's my dream to buy a van and deck it out a bit. Probably won't happen though because of my age, but I can dream. What part of the country are you in, if you don't mind. Thank you
We live in the PNW
Im doing it and im 64. Ive seen people do it even in sedans.
Was the alternator sufficient in charging the battery properly overtime?
Great videos, we in the beginning phase of getting a van and converting over, plan on a year trip around the USA. Question does the van alternator keep the battery charged up sufficient?
Good question. I was wondering that too.
Don’t you need a dc to dc charger in a system like this?
I had the same thought.
Do you vent your house battery out of the van somewhere?
Question: Why did you decide to place your battery system on the opposite side of where your 4 gauge wire enters the van? This requires more wire and a longer distance of travel.
Thank you,
Morgan
Good Question, I started building the platform for the battery and the fuse block when I was originally planning to run the 4 awg cable under the van, which would have been the shortest run possible. After contemplating that idea, I determined running cable exposed to the exterior and at one point uncomfortably close to the exhaust, was a bad idea. I then looked for a way to bring the cable through the engine compartment and the driver side was the easiest path. In hindsight, I should have put the electrical on the driver side, would have saved me about $20 in cable!
Hi, I'm in my first steps for a my van build out. Got the van, taking care of inside surface rust before going to town with insulating and what not. I came across your videos and have watched them numerous times and I think of all videos I've watched yours matches what I would like to do closest. I'm pretty much following them to the T. Is there anything you would do different after using the van for a bit? I plan to use mine for weekend climbing trips here and there in and around CO and the southwest. I'm curious about your sheeps wool and condensation. Any problems with that? Is there any more resources you could share with me? Thanks
So far no condensation problems and we live in the PNW, but time will tell in a few more years. We are very careful about cleaning and drying the van out after use.
We would also move the battery bank to the driver side of the van vs. passenger. We were planning on running the cable on that side and then changed our minds but didn't move the battery mount. It just would have saved a bit in cable costs.
How much sheep’s wool did you use and did you find it to be enough? Thanks!
@@jlarkin10 you could still use the pink stuff. Once its in it cant bother you anymore (itching)
Hey I got a question how did you wire up the led lights???
The dimmer switch has three wires - red, white, and black. Each light has two wires - white and black I think (doesn't really matter). Choose one of those colors to wire to the red or white wire on the switch. Wire the opposite color from each light to the other (red or white). The red 14 awg coming from the DC fuse block is connected to the red wire from the switch as well. I used wire nuts and electrical tape to join the wires. Then I grounded the black wire on the switch to bare metal with a captive terminal and self-drilling screw and added a bit of dielectric silicon to keep it from rusting.
Im looking into a 1990 econoline 150 with 88k miles. kinda just want to get some experience but also advice, i know a older vehicle carries more risk but being low miles only used for transportation of a disabled person, for about 3k, it appears like a deal
Hi Code, Thats always the debate right! We don't mid doing small fixes ourselves so going with the older model seemed like the right choice for us. I think it just depends on your comfort and tolerance for breakdowns/mechanical issues.
Just stay away from ford triton 5.4. You'll probably need an engine replacement when the cam phasers go.
No such thing as a life span on a lead acid battery, and an AGM battery is still a lead acid battery!