YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE - Please read this first. This video is always going to bring up a lot of questions so to avoid having to answer the same question lots of times I’ll post the most common answers here for you. 1. Why have you not got a split charge relay? A. AGM batteries do not like the voltages given out by your alternator and if you want to charge the leisure battery while driving you really need to fit a battery to battery charger. 2. Why have you connect the red and black cable on your solar panels. A. These are wired in series so it is correct to have them connected this way. Please watch my solar panel installation video for more detailed information. 3. You have not connected a load to your MPPT charge controller. A. This connection is for small load use only say just to power some lights. You could not connect 50A of appliances to these terminals. 4. You have not connect this system to your van body. A. The van body is not an earth it is used by your auto electrics as a neutral. I personally do not advise using the van body as a neutral for your leisure system. My mains earth is connected back to my hook up socket and I always check with a plug tester when connecting to shore power. 5. How can I size my cable and fuses. A. To work out the amps required use this calculation Watts / Volts = Amps. For fuses take your max amps figure and add 25% for safety. That is your fuse size. Then add at least another 25% and choose a cable bigger than that rating. 6. The interconnecting cables between batteries need to be rated for the sum of all your connected loads assuming that there may be running all at the same time. I will update this pinned comment if I get lots of other questions if you can find your answers below please do leave me a message. I do love reading all your comments whatever they may be. Thank you 😊
I live in NYC...can i connect a 12v heater for winter time in this installation or is it better to buy one of propane? Also 12v sistem for hot water in the shower?
@@JuanMartinez-pw4xi I would avoid any 12v heating source for winter off grid camping. If you are hooked up to mains the its ok. But heating elements will put unnecessary stain on your system. The best off grid setup would be a static fitted gas fire, with independent added blowers for heat circulation. Blown propane heaters are not ideal as the system requires continual 12v during use for fans. I run a diesel fired eberspatcher but the 12v consumption is very high. Remember no matter how many batteries or solar panels you must get a good balance for winter off grid surviving. Also absolutely no 12v fridge, just go propane. Fridge elements are high draw items. Maybe restrict 12v operation of fridge to high harvesting days for solar, but again during winter the effectiveness of solar even on sunny days drops dramatically. You can somewhat negate winter sun by angling your panel on an adjustable bracket depending on where you are in the hemisphere. Flat panels can lose up to 50 % efficiency compared to a correctly angled one.
Could I ask if you have a reason for not connecting to the van body, every other video I have seen shows this and whilst I thought your video was excellent it has left me unsure what to do now? I am using the Sargent EC155 as my main electrical control with additional 12v fuse board, although I now wish I had done it myself from scratch.
I’ve been searching everywhere for a good video/instructions on van electrics and here it is! For the first time, I actually understand what’s going on in there (existing van conversion with electrical issues which I’m determined to solve!) and feel I now have a good idea where to start looking… or at least, an idea of what the bits are that I’m looking at. 😂 Thank you Greg, Thank you! 🙏 😁
Dear Greg, you are a born teacher! I've looked at a lot of van conversion videos and what has put me off has been the electrics. Even if I got someone else to fit the electrics, I still need to understand it in case something goes wrong. Your slow and calm explanation combined with that very clear diagram is awesome. As I said, you are a born teacher. Thank you.....electrics now demystified! I'll be binge watching your other videos and I might just (finally) take to the road off grid.
Greg, saying thank you costs nothing, and it’s a good job too because my Sprinter conversion is going to take every penny I’ve got. As a regular viewer of your videos, I would like to add my heartfelt thanks to the scores of others for all your invaluable and free sharing of your expertise and experience. It is all much appreciated and incredibly helpful. This particular tutorial is both very welcome and timely, for me. Many thanks and best wishes for your travels.
@@GregVirgoe I definitely second Oliver here. Thanks heaps for sharing these with us. I'm close to starting my conversion and there's so much to learn. Your diagrams and comments are helping heaps.
Hello Greg. I rarely give comments. But sometimes when everything is just perfectly explained, genuine, good voice, good know-how, etc., that's when I want to say; Thank you so much!!
i think you should make an instruction Ebook on how to build your campervan !!! really i've been watching your videos from the start , and i think your videos are a gold mine for anyone who wants to convert a van the RIght way thank you
To someone that only has a basic idea but really wants to do it himself you have really put it in layman’s terms and made it seem so easy. You should be a school teacher😃
Hi Greg. 100s if not 1000s of hours people like me go through these videos. Although all informative, well almost! I must say I always end up coming back to yours. In fact, most of my study, notes, diagrams and practical work are based on your videos. It's not just your knowledge base that works its the way you explain things. Trust me, Im a know-all, yet I could never deliver information or pass on what I know so easy as yourself. Knowing something and teaching it are two different things. You are great teachers. I know these videos are old, yet they are still helping others like myself. Thank you, Greg, I hope you are still around to read your feedback and not forget all the help you have given others like me. Safe journey bud and thanks again. Im now looking forward to putting all my hard work together with less stress.
@@GregVirgoe I’ve been thinking about it since before the beginning of the pandemic, I could be a van and do it,or I could just buy something already done as I’m coming up for retirement in 15 months, it will be just myself and the dog as my wife is used to more home comforts lol. It will probably be a campervan mwb or even smaller.
@@russellnewton6660 it can be a huge task to take on a full build. One that’s already built could get you on the road sooner and you can always do little things to improve it as you go 😊
BrilliNt video. The one thing I am worried about when looking at a van conversion was the wiring. This video spells it out plain and simple. Brilliant!
Greg, you are a star! I built my van last year and, apart from a faulty B2B charger, appears to have been working fine. However, I couldn't work out why I wasn't able to stay off grid for very long before the two leisure batteries were depleted. Thanks to your simple wiring diagram I now realise that, although the connections to the batteries were safe, they weren't correct. I have now amended the battery wiring in line with your diagram, replaced the Votronic B2B charger with a Victron Cyrix CT Battery Combiner and everything is now working exactly as it should. I now have three sources of input to the leisure batteries, 200w solar batteries, mains hookup and van alternator via the starter battery. I can now sleep easy! Thanks for your clear explanations, they are immensely appreciated.
I have a feeling I have been very fortunate in finding your channel so early into my interest in building a camper... what a channel this looks to be, exactly what I need
Hi Greg. I looked at your diagram and thought oh my gawd!! then you broke it all down and it made absolute sense. That's why we need people like you matey to show us how we CAN do it!! have a great tour.. Al
That’s exactly what I want to hear alan. These thing look daunting when you see them as a whole. But if you break it down into easy chunks it becomes understandable and makes more sense. Thanks for great feedback.
Greg have just watched your video on the van electrical system ,I have been trying to figure it out for about 2 years and I just can’t absorb the information , but watching your video just now has opened my mind , don’t know what you have done ,but maybe I’m seeing the light at the end of the van ,for the first time ,good luck with your trip to Europe if you get anywhere near Crete Greece I have a Lot off great ideals for you and Lou , please private message me , kind regards Mike in Sutton uk it’s wonderful that you take the time to inform all the van life people ,you are a very talented young man...thanks once again....
I've watched this & some other videos from Greg several times over the last year as I'm still trying to figure out how to set up a classic campervan. It's by far the best explanation and I'm grateful for the diagrams and advice. As a Brit living in NZ, the wiring here has confused the hell out of me as the coloured wires aren't as simple as red and black and there's no earth in the plugs. Mind boggling.
Thank you so much for this. I have spent countless hours on youtube and elsewhere trying to find something I could understand since I know nothing about electrical. This video and the lists are priceless. Thank you again.
Just starting a van conversion with my partner and until I came across this video I was very concerned about my lack of knowledge on the subject. No longer - this explanation and wiring diagram is excellent. Thanks Greg.
I have done another video just recently with a slightly different setup you might also like to watch that one 👍🏼😃 12v Electrics for Off-Grid Campervan - Fiat Ducato Budget Build Ep12 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xCw7eARJKOg.html
I have watched so many of these videos but this is the best. I think that even if I was a complete plonker I would feel confident in wiring up my van after watching this. Thank you for a refreshingly informative video.
I have seen many Electrical off grid set up clips, this is the only subject that has given me the "Heebe Gebees" and giving this part to a Pro. However your clip has totally transformed that, your 1st pictures made me freeze but then you set it up slow time explaining everything clearly and simply. I could understand that and will look forward to completing that now. A BIG THANKS.
Honestly Greg... I've spent hours trying to find something exactly like this to understand it exactly. I know you've talked me through it a few times but with it being a whole new language to me... it just wouldn't sink in. This is the best part of my day so far. I continue to love the way you explain things. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos and sharing all your knowledge so freely. It's a real gift for anyone who wants to do it themselves with no prior experience. I am empowered each time I complete a new stage on my build and I attribute these little successes to you and your amazing way of explaining things in simple terms and making me believe that I can do it. THANK YOU.
I'm a firm believer that everyone can achieve whatever you want in life if you are willing to learn and give things a go, with a little bit of guidance and some practise you will master it :D Thanks for some lovely feedback :D
I just wanted to say a very quick thank you for this and other videos on your channel. I’ve just finished the electrical install on my van conversion which I couldn’t have done without your videos…thank you Greg.
Your videos, schematics and the pace at which you explain them are awesome. You certainly have done a fantastic job. I have spent days/hours looking for guidance to set-up my van off the grid and you have the best. They are easy to follow and you actually talk about safety. Most videos do not warn the viewers about that. Thank you!!
Thank you for this 👍 You're a rock star for putting this out there and explaining it in a way that it is easy to understand and to scale up or down. I've watched so many videos and by the end, I'm more confused than I was when I started. The diagrams and pictures help immensely.
Wow Greg, that is the first time I've ever understood any of this 'Black Magic'. You are giving us all the info we need to DIY our Van, properly (and safely) . Van Life is true freedom, thanks for helping us get on the road. All the best, Sam
@@GregVirgoe Hi Greg, thanks for the reply. I am still at the research stage. After looking at the prices recently for (used) Vans , I had to catch my breath . Would love to get your thoughts on a good Base Van for conversion , you have such a methodical and in depth way of presenting the info. Looking for a Fiat Ducato 2,3 , although am also keeping an eye out for Renault Master, Vauxhall/Opel Movano , Nissan NV400 , Iveco Daily, VW Crafter ... Now waiting for Winter to set in , hopefully from now-ish to December there will be some better deals come along. Have had a VW T4 ex electricians van , stripped , insulated and fitted a Bed and shelves, nothing fancy and a bit small. Enough to get to the beach and surf. Through this craziness that we're all living through, Van Life has just seemed like such a breath of fresh air, a seemingly last chance at true Freedom. Highly recommend 'Surfwise' about the Paskowitz Family , full time Camper living. Hope to go Full Time 'VanLife' , Life is too short not to take the chance. Much appreciation Greg, you're an Inspiration.
@@GrizzlyAdamsam the Fiat does seem to be a great base vehicle. Good size engine, reliable and most room widthways in the rear. All the major motorhome manufacturers use it as their base vehicle so that gives it some credibility. Hopefully things will calm down. Good luck with your search 👍🏼😊
Thanks Greg, another great video! Have been watching your videos for sometime now and just think its unbelievable how you take the time to selflessly educate us all so it helps us when we come to building our own van, you have helped me and my girlfriend alot. Thanks again, Harry
HARRY Murphy I’m really happy to give this information freely and help you guys to build a better safer van for you to enjoy just as we have. Thank you for your support of our channel.
What a brilliant explanation of what you need and the reasons for it, I have always toyed with the idea of converting a van but the electricity wiring side frightened me. This has given me a fanstastic understanding of what is involved. Thank you so much
What a fantastic clear and concise video! nice one Greg yet again i have been transported back to open university on bbc2 at 3am in the morning in 1975 :) Hope you are enjoying your travels!
Greg... Great simplified and informative Vlog. 300 Watt tilting Panel fitted with Victron units. Very similar set up to yours. Kitchen unit in and just connections to do then snagging left before completion. Grabbed my Camp Quirky tickets this morning so really looking forward to the event. It will be great to meet you and some of the other U Tubers.
Tracey Hart that’s amazing I’m really hoping that next year I get time to visit more of your vans and spend time chatting about your creations. Please do come and say hello 😀
This was amazing. I have been struggling for so long trying to get my head around this. You have done something that most on RU-vid charge a pretty penny for, and you've done it so much better. Thank you again!
I've just got myself a leyland 400 1990 2.5 turbo project an it's got shower room sink and gas pipes and electricity but sink and cooker has been taken out and I was hoping to rip all old wired out and rewiring it and you've just helped me out so much. Amazing . It's my first project
Thank you Greg for yet another brilliant video that was so easy to follow. I have been searching for ages and come across so much conflicting information. I now feel confident to make a start on my self build. The best or worst thing is now understanding how much additional space this is going to take up for me in my small van, It will help determine other elements of the build such as furniture lay out. Thank you on behalf of us all.
Greg you are a total gentleman with a brilliant video so nice and easy to follow you and understand ,by far the best I have found. Thank you very much mate.
This is the simplest and best electrics video I have seen. I plan to start a conversion in 2022 and this has been the part I’ve struggled to figure out so far so thanks for simplifying it. All your videos are going to help me through the conversion. Thank you Greg.
Thanks so much for this Greg, exactly what I've been waiting for! I understood about the key components but hadn't see anywhere about the relevant sized wiring, fuses, breakers etc that keep it all safe. I can go into this feeling a lot more confident now, cheers!!
Hi Sharon, certain individual circuits and appliances my need slightly different fuse sizes depending on their actual load but hopefully this video gives a better understanding of how they all connect together. You can always message me with questions if you get stuck. Cheers Greg
thanks when i first saw this diagram i was filled with dread after watching and listening everything was clear as a bell and made sense thanks again your a top bloke
My more recent camper wiring video I think is a much better system. Here is a link to that ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xCw7eARJKOg.html
So impressed to see you are still in the comments answering questions. I'm probably a couple years off doing a build myself as I'm still studying, but already I feel well prepared thanks to all your content! Much appreciated, regards from Norway!🙂
This was the best and most clearly spoken explaination regarding the installation of a 12 volt system ever. I live in US so there is a slight difference, but the mechanics are the same. I have sought out and watched many RU-vid videos but yours is by far the best. You speak so clearly and at just the right pace explaining in a very simple clear cut manner. The diagram progression is terrific. i intend to look at many of your videos because I will learn so much. I could not understand the solar panel voltage and watts output by putting them is series until today. I am so impressed; bloody brillant! And thank you of course.
It’s really nice to get such great feedback and makes it worthwhile putting the effort in to making them when I know they have been useful to you. Thank you for watching and for leaving a nice comment. I hope you enjoy my other videos. 👍🏼😃
Once again Greg brilliant. I’m just starting my electrics. Hope you guys are enjoying your European jaunt. You should write an ebook, I know that Nate makes his money through his and the information is not a patch on yours. With van life becoming more popular you would never need to work again!! Best wishes
@@GregVirgoe excellent news! Can I have a signed first edition before you become even more famous? You should definitely do this though as it will give you that residual income to live the life you want. Also a brave move to leave the rat race like you have. Good on you mate we only get one go at this life. I'm planning on the same if I can once the kids have fled.
Astoundingly great information presented in a most approachable manner from one extraordinary teacher. Well done, as always, Greg. Thumbs up. Five stars. 10 out of 10. 100%.
At last! A very helpful and concise video with nothing but the facts - so refreshing to be about the subject and not the presenter. Bravo Greg, easy to follow even for a mechanical engineer!
Thanks Greg, Great Video as always, im just at the stage where Ive insulated the van and ready to board over and I've been worrying about electric element of the install. Much appreciated
Paul Carter what I did to start with was to list all the things in my van that would need power. Decide what item I was going to buy then find out what each of their power requirements were in terms of 12v / 230v and the amps so I knew what cable to run. Lastly did a simple pencil sketch of where each item was in the van so I knew where to pull my cables to. Hope that helps 😀
Paul Carter most inverters have a three pin socket so you wire a 2.5mm 3core cable to a 3pin plug. Plug that into the inverter then wire the other end to your sockets. You can only plug in devices rated below that of your inverter 👍🏼😊
Wow, this was everything I needed right now, thanks so much for generously posting this fool-proof guide. There are loads of confusing (and differing) explanations, but now I feel ready to crack on! I used a video or two of yours in the early stages of my van conversion, and then forgot about your channel...really glad it popped up again at the perfect time...subbing immediately... My stealth camper is about to become a lot more civilised!
@@GregVirgoe hi Greg, merry Christmas. We are revamping a year 2000 camper van. It will be the „Millennial Falcon“ on the european roads and Mediterranean islands.
In your schematic, you get 220v from the inverter, even if connected to shore power. There are allways losses using the inverter. If you would use an inverter-charger, if connected to shore power, it would bypass to the 220v installation and trigger the charger. In an off grid situation it would act as a regular inverter.
João Pedro Nascimento please appreciate that I can’t create a diagram that incorporates every possible scenario on how to wire your van. This is just one option. If you use different equipment the wiring will of course be different, that is very obvious. Inverter chargers are a very good option if you have spare cash.
Just bumped into this while surfing up stuff for my own project. I've got a 13plate Crafter I intend converting to a w/e camper, not full liveaboard. I've made a start with the floor, windows, roof vent and bed in. My next thing will be electric for lights, power, inverter and fridge. So to find a well made, easy to follow, breakdown vid of how too has been an absolute diamond in the rough. Thank you for making this and your other vids.You have helped my understanding of how to tame the 'angry pixies'.
thank you so much for this video. I've been looking up this set-up now and again for a while now but the technical language had always made my brain just switch off instantly. I desperately want to understand but my brain was just never having it, but this video was accessible, clear and a perfect pace.
I've been put off even buying a van due to the electrics, been trying to educate myself for weeks and end up getting worked up/confused so given up. After watching 2 of your videos I feel confident I could wire a freakin house! You sir are a genius, and I notice you're even taking time to answer questions on here so you're a nice genius aswell 😂 Keep up the good work and i hope karma visits you soon 👏💪
Greg thank you soo much for making an electronic dummie understand so well I get it !!!! It’s not as hard as it looks Great job of explaining Thank you👍👍👍
Forgive me being so impertinent as to make a suggestion but at the end you said the battery interconnects should be sized to the draw of the highest power appliance. I would suggest they should be sized larger, to the sum of the highest power appliance plus any others that might be running at the same time, since the total draw from the batteries will be the total drawn by whichever appliances you’re using simultaneously. Eg if 2kW inverter is running full tilt and your fridge is on at the same time, you’re drawing the sum of both those draws.
Vandemonium you are absolutely correct David and well spotted. My explanation was not technically correct in that instance. The 35mm cable is good for 240Amps so that will easily cope with everything in this diagram. The interconnect first need to be sized for maximum simultaneous demand on all systems. Thanks for the correction.
@@GregVirgoe hi, in the chart on your video it shows 35mm as a max current carrying capacity of 141 amps, am I reading it wrong because that seems a lot less than what you’ve written here and the 200 amp breaker on the inverter.?
Hey Greg, kiwi in Aus here, I know im joining late, however thank you, looks like I have dementia and this is the first video I've watched, where I now feel confident to attempt. ( I'll get a professional to look over) so thankyou for your clear, vantastic instructions ❤
The most professional, reasonings/choices explained & fool proof (that's me !!), mobile solars YT tutorial, hands down!!! 🙌 .Thank you Greg!! I've been with you from the very humble beginnings of this channel. Never disappointed! 😎 Happy & safe travels!!!
Many many thanks for your continued support of the channel. Normal service will be resumed next week as I finish working and we head off back into Europe 🤩
Thanks Greg! And I mean that! My New Conversion is getting on and to me, the electrics are the most difficult and most important! Ironically, I bought, over the last 6 months exactly the same pieces as you have in your video! Going off grid in Sept, so this coming week, electrics in! Thanks, you have saved me hundreds!!
I’m really pleased the videos have helped you. We have been off grid with this setup for 4yrs now. Imagine how much that has saved us in energy bills alone 🤩
Such a great video! Best and most informative one I've seen yet. I have plans to build a defender 110 for overland use and am looking at a solar install to try and make a bit more comfortable when stopping. Won't be as nice e as your sprinter though 👍🏻
Hello Greg, Thank you very much for this video! This is by far the best video (and explanation) I've found on the internet. I didn't understand anything of how electricity works , but now I understand completely how it works and how I have to install it! Thanks for that!!
