Electrical planning and wiring

When it comes to van life, your electrical system is one of the most important and expensive parts of the build. That’s why thorough planning is essential — mistakes are costly and ripping apart your walls later to fix things is not something you want to experience.

Start with Your Travel Style

Ask yourself:

• Are you just going for short weekend getaways?
• Will you be off-grid for days or weeks at a time?
• Do you plan to work remotely or cook with electric appliances?

If your trips are short and simple, you don’t need a complex system. A portable power station (like Jackery, Bluetti, or EcoFlow) with USB ports and a 12V car plug may be all you need — perfect for charging devices, lights, or a small fan.

But for full-time vanlifers or anyone using appliances like fridges, fans, laptops, or induction cookers, a built-in electrical system is a must. This includes:

• Hardwired cables hidden behind your walls
• Proper fuses, isolators, and breakers
• A battery bank (AGM or lithium)
• Solar panels and charge controller
• DC-DC charger (for charging while driving)
• Inverter (for 230V/110V appliances)

Plan Ahead – Always

Before touching a single wire, analyze:

• Your daily energy usage (in watt-hours)
• How long you'll be off-grid
• Whether you want future upgrades (e.g. oven, heater, AC)
• What appliances you plan to run, and for how long

This gives you a realistic view of your needs and helps size your:

• Battery bank (typically 200–300Ah for full-timers)
• Inverter (usually 1000–3000W)
• Solar panel setup (200–800W)
• Wiring and fuse sizes

📌 Pro tip: Always run extra wires behind the wall just in case. For example, I don’t yet have an oven, but I ran a cable for it anyway — it’s 100× easier now than doing it later!

My Costly Mistake

In my first van build, I underestimated the power I needed and tried to cut corners. I used low-quality cables and skipped planning for future upgrades. As a result, I had to tear open my walls and redo large parts of the system. It cost me a lot of money and time — so learn from my mistakes and do it right the first time.

Typical Van Electrical Setup

Component	Typical Size
Battery Bank	200–300Ah (LiFePO₄ preferred)
Inverter	1000–3000W (pure sine wave)
Solar Panels	200–800W
DC-DC Charger	30–60A
Shore Power Charger (optional)	15–30A

You can always upgrade later — like adding batteries, more panels, or a stronger inverter — but it's smarter (and cheaper) to size your system properly from the start.

Get Support: DIY or Done for You

I’ve created a step-by-step guide for designing and wiring your own system, including:

• Power usage calculators
• Wiring diagrams
• Recommended components with links
• Tips for safe installation (fuses, grounding, fire protection)

If you want a fully customized electrical plan with a wiring diagram tailored to your lifestyle, feel free to book a consultation or send me a message. I’ll help you create a setup that balances power, safety, and budget.

Final Thoughts

Electricity can seem overwhelming at first, but with the right tools and information, anyone can do it. It’s not about being an expert — it’s about planning smart, staying safe, and choosing the right components for your unique lifestyle.

In the next chapter, we’ll go into framing and wall/floor paneling — the foundation of a comfortable, all-season mobile home. Let’s keep building.