Camper Van Electrical Install | Start to Finish - Renogy Off-Grid System

Main Components:
⁃Renogy 3000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter

Wiring:

Misc.

Tools:

Camera Equipment:

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All the best & happy exploring!
⁃Zak & Fal

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT CERTIFIED ELECTRICIANS, AND THIS VIDEO IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT/INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE CONSULT A CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN BEFORE HANDLING HIGH VOLTAGE MATERIALS.

[zakandfal]

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[philipp]

Good video. It’s a good sized electrical system. Lots of connections.
I’m currently working on my own design and it’s very similar.
I’m sure you followed manufacturer recommendations on wire and fuse sizing. It’s interesting though that the dcdc converter has 4awg wire with a 80a fuse but your dc distribution panel uses 6awg wire and a 100a fuse. I expected the wiring to be reverse or both being 4awg, which is what I’ll be doing in my system.
Took me a moment to realize your distribution panel serves both ac and dc, so the panel has two separate inputs.

Here are the things that are slightly different in my system.
Dcdc converter: mine is a newer model that also handles up to 600 watt of solar input. This in turn allows for trickle charging of the starter battery. But the setup is otherwise the same.
MPPT: also a larger model, 60amp. Allows up to 800 watt solar on a 12v system. Also use a switch, but mine is a special PV switch for 2 strings with Arc protect.
Inverter: only a 2000 watt inverter. I felt that for a larger inverter I’d put too much strain on the batteries, which only have a 300a output in your configuration. With up to 250a load coming from 3000 watt inverter and 100amp from dc, you have the potential to push the limit. My 2000 watt inverter is only rated at 167amp, so I’m staying below battery ability.
Also, I don’t have a wired AC panel. I’m using a single outlet from the inverter to connect a surge protector power strip. While this might sound like I can use too much power, I also have a Kill-a-watt plugged in and can monitor all appliance draw from the inverter. Stay below 1800 watt, and I’m golden. However, the only items I will need the inverter for are a laptop (150 watt), rice cooker (200 watt), sous vide stick (750 watt), kettle (1500 watt), induction cooktop (1800 watt). I’ll never use them all at the same time.
Dc panel: I use a BlueSea dc panel with two circuits. It’s supposed to be one permanent and one switched. But just in case, I’ll be putting a switch into both. It’s good for 12 appliances, that should be plenty. And my dc fridge will bypass the panel altogether. However, I will have it all connected to a Victron low voltage disconnect. It’s rated at 100amp and protects me from running the batteries down by accident. The inverter is only turned in when needed but dc is always on.
Busbar: not using a Lynx, just two old fashioned BlueSea 600amp bus bars. Of course my bus bars will look more messy because I need to add fuses to it. That aside, connections look the same as your system.
Battery: I’ll be switching from 3x 100amp to 2x 200amp batteries. This increases overall capacity, increases output from 300 to 400amp and reduced battery cables by one set. And I could still add 2 more batteries without makes a total mess of my system. And now I could comfortably go with a 3000 or even 4000 watt inverter (not going to).

So our systems are very similar. Most components are the same. I’m using a mix of renogy and Victron, BlueSea, Ancor and Windynation and batteries from Ampere Time.

Good luck with your system and all the best for VanLife.

[jamiewise]

What size ring terminals did you use for the main wiring of the gorund, neutral, live wiring

[madeleinehughes]

Great video! How did you handle grounding? Did you run a grounding cable from the Lynx to the chassis? Where did you ground the inverter to?

[kahiwalanimiller]

Is there a list of what you got for the distribution panel? What kind fo Breakers did you use and why?

[michaelcarman]

i don't have a lynx thingy so where do i put my on/off kill switch? please?

[williamf]

The wires you have running from your DC to DC charger to the Lynx Distributor are much smaller than the 4/0 wires from the inverter to the Lynx Distributor. Tthe Renogy diagram shows 4 AWG wire size, so you got it right, just your audio track states 4/0 wire.

[knightinbangkok]

Both Positive and Negative wires coming from the solar panels should have a dual isolator switch, not just the Positive.

[WizzRacing]

I would toss the NOCO.. I had two melt the wires to the point it melted the connectors. So big Fire Hazard.... I bought a Renogy Inverter\Charger\Transfer Switch..That is rated for 75 amps on Shore Power.. Problem solved...

[knightinbangkok]

Also, if you are not qualified electricians or auto electricians, you should be warning viewers of this and that your videos are for information only. And that they should seek professional advice... Inverters and solar panels can be deadly.