Designing a system? Our free electrical planner sizes your battery, solar, and DC-DC from your appliance list, then generates a wiring diagram and a recommended parts list behind the cost estimate. Use it before or alongside the guides below.
01
Planning & Fundamentals
Understanding electrical systems and planning your setup
02
DIY System or Power Station?
Your first big decision for van electrical
03
Power Sources
Charging your batteries from solar, alternator, and shore hookups
04
Power Storage
Storing energy with battery banks
05
Power Conversion
Converting DC to AC power for your appliances
06
Build & Install
Translating your diagram into a physical install
07
Buying Decisions
Budget vs premium components - what you really need
08
Safety First
Essential safety guidelines for electrical work
- Always disconnect power before working on electrical systems
- Use properly sized wire and fuses for every circuit — fuse to protect the wire, not the load
- Follow ABYC E-11 for 12V DC and NEC Article 551 / NFPA 1192 for AC, mounting, and life-safety
- When in doubt, get an RVIA-certified RV technician on the DC side or a licensed electrician on the AC side