One of the first things you need to figure out when upgrading the electrical systems in your campervan is what kind of cable you’ll need. Solid copper wire cable is usually used for permanent infrastructure, but it is very susceptible to snapping when over-flexed. The cable can be put under pressure by bumpy roads and the movement inside the van. A better solution is multi-stranded wiring, which is composed of many small copper cores. This type of wire is far more flexible than a solid core, and is less likely to snap.
12AWG wire
When wiring a campervan, you can use 12AWG wire. This wire is suitable for most van components and is easy to route. It is recommended that you use oxygen-free copper wire instead of solid core wire, as it is a little softer and better able to withstand vibrations caused by a van’s drive. Another option is to use 12/3 AWG wire, which contains three 12-gauge wires in a single outer jacket.
The watts-to-amps converter is a useful tool to convert electrical information to amps. Next, divide the wattage of your device by the voltage of the campervan auxiliary system, which is usually 12 volts. If you don’t know what size wire your device requires, you can research the wattage on the internet or contact the manufacturer of the device to get more information. Otherwise, you can use a multimeter to measure the current required by your device.
MC4 connectors
MC4 connectors are commonly used for connecting solar panels. They are generally included with specific PV cables, making installation easier and safer. These connectors are UL-listed and meet the National Electric Code. You can also get them with screw terminals, which secure a stripped wire in place. You’ll find screw terminals in consumer units like MPPT Charge Controllers. MC4 connectors are safe and reliable, but there are a few things to consider before you make your choice.
Solid copper wire cable is common in permanent infrastructure, but it’s prone to snapping when over-flexed. Your van’s movement can cause vibration and pressure on the wires. Multi-stranded wiring is more flexible and less susceptible to snapping because it’s made of many small copper cores. Choosing a wire with the right size is crucial to a successful campervan electrical build.
MC4
Before you begin to build your campervan electrics, you should understand how to wire your vehicle properly. Solid copper wire cable is usually used for permanent infrastructure, but it’s easily prone to snagging and snapping when over-flexed. Bumpy roads and the vibration of your van will put pressure on the wires. Instead, you should use a multi-stranded type of wiring, which has a lot of small copper cores. This wire is more flexible and less prone to snapping, because there are many copper cores.
DC to DC MPPT battery chargers are common in most vans. These battery chargers work with smart alternators and start/stop technology, and are designed to last for a long time. DC to DC MPPT batteries are available for vehicles from 2015 onwards, and come 90% pre-assembled with all major wiring completed. The customer will need to wire the 16-amp hook-up point.
Battery isolator
If you’ve ever had to change a battery or replace a fuse for a dead battery, you may be wondering what the proper size cable for a battery isolator is. These are electromechanical relays that work much like the starter relay in your vehicle. They consist of a large electrical switch, called a solenoid, and they close and open when your vehicle’s engine is running. This prevents the flow of current from the charging system to the RV.
The size of the battery cable is vital, and the battery isolator must be of the same size. If you’re using a DC-DC charger, you must connect it to the car’s ignition circuit with an inline ANL fuse. For most campervans, a #14 wire will be enough. If your circuit requires a larger current, you’ll want to get a bigger gauge cable. Once you’ve done this, it’s time to make sure your van has a good battery isolator.
VSR
Running two wires to connect your campervan’s electrics is not difficult and won’t cost you much extra money. However, you will need to make sure that you ground all metal components to prevent a fire. Generally, big items like fridges and lights have (+), (-) and ground terminals. The ground terminal should be attached to a metal component on the frame. For these reasons, VSR cable is a good choice.
While VSR cables are easy to install, they are often too big and bulky for some campervans. You can also get a larger wire to power your battery’s accessories. The bigger wire is also easier to route. Ultimately, using a larger cable will help future-proof your batteries. This way, you can use it in several different situations and still make it look good. The VSR cable can be purchased from a specialist campervan retailer.
Bus bar
To choose the right bus bar size for your campervan’s electrical system, you must know a few things. First, you need to understand how an electrical circuit works. An electrical circuit is a closed-loop pathway used to transmit an electric current. The campervan’s electric system has several circuits, including the negative and positive. It is a good idea to get a larger cable than you need because you can always trim it later.
You can find busbars in most campervan conversion kits, and they are made of copper and tin. Copper busbars are the most common, but brass and aluminum busbars are not as efficient. In addition to copper, busbars are coated with tin. You can use either a positive or negative busbar in your campervan’s electrics, and each one is installed differently.