The electrical system of of van conversions and camper vans is probably the one task that makes most DIY van converters nervous. All those electrics, wires, boxes, connectors, currents and complicated diagrams are enough to make anyone pause! But it doesn’t have to be that way. Motorhome Workshop are ready to help with your van conversion electrical system. We have all the knowledge, skills and experience to safely handle all the electrics for all makes and models of campervans, caravans, motorhomes, van conversions and other leisure vehicles.  We are here to assist with any van conversion task, from suspension to plumbing, electrics to security. If you’re facing a technical challenge with a van conversion, we’re the people to call! Motorhome Workshop supplies and installs a range of equipment for electric systems, including leisure batteries, and can also help with: Plus any other technical tasks needed to complete your project. Contact one of our team to discuss your van conversion!

What to consider for your van conversion electrics

Your main consideration for any van conversion electrical system is being able to deliver the required current to where it needs to go in the van. Before you begin, you’ll want to answer some key questions to understand your vehicle’s requirements and necessary equipment. Questions such as:
  • How much time do you plan to spend in your van?
  • How many devices do you want to use?
  • Do you want to use appliances that require AC power?
  • Will you use mains electric hook-ups all or some of the time?
  • Do you want to charge your leisure battery while on the move?
  • Do you want to travel or camp off-grid? How long for?
It may seem a lot, but these are fundamental questions that will decide how you approach your van conversion. The answers will influence what components you’ll need and how everything will be installed. Once you know how you’ll be using your van, you’ll then need to calculate how much power you’ll need.

Van conversion power requirements

Your van conversion electrical system needs to be able to deliver enough power to meet your electrical demands, plus a little extra. For that, we recommend grabbing a pen and paper or making a spreadsheet.
  1. Make a list of all the appliances you want to power and their peak amperage.
  2. Calculate how many hours per day you’ll use each appliance.
  3. Multiply the peak amperage by the number of hours to calculate the amp-hours (Ah) you’ll need per day for each appliance.
  4. Add all the amp hours together to get your total power demand.
  5. Then add 20% to that total as your headroom.
The number you end up with is your peak power demand required to use your camper van in the way you want without draining your leisure battery and running out of energy while off-grid. These calculations form the basis of your van conversion electrical system.  Without all these answers, you won’t know how much power you’ll need, the appropriate size or capacity of equipment, the type of wires or fuses to use, or where to place each of the components. Remember, Motorhome Workshop can help with this if you need a hand!

What electrical equipment do you need?

Talking of components, just exactly what do you need for a van conversion electrical system? Every leisure vehicle and electrical system is different, but most van conversions will require:
  • Leisure battery
  • Battery charger or split charger
  • Inverter to switch stored DC current to AC power required by most appliances
  • Plug or connector for mains pitch power
  • Wiring, fuses, connectors, fixtures and fittings
  • Optional solar panels and accessories for off-grid ventures
This is just a basic overview of what a van conversion electrical system requires. The exact shopping list depends entirely on the type of vehicle, how and when you’re going to use it, and lots of other variables.

Can I install camper van conversion electrics myself?

Yes, you can install camper van conversion electrics yourself if you want to and there are lots of resources out there to help. But before touching your van’s electrical system, you need to be confident in what you’re doing to ensure your van’s electrics perform safely and efficiently. The key is to break the project down into steps. Task 1: Figure out what you’ll use your van for, how long you intend to use it, and what time of year. Task 2: Decide which devices and appliances you’ll need to power. Task 3: Assess your energy needs and make sure the electrical system you build will meet those power demands with some headroom to spare. Task 4: Make a shopping list to plan your purchases for necessary equipment, shop around and collect prices for everything. Task 5: Set up and install your van conversion’s electrical system. Task 6: Have your van checked over by a qualified vehicle electrician to make sure it all works safely and effectively. Alternatively, you could perform tasks 1-3 yourself and let Motorhome Workshop do the rest. But if you have any questions along the way, reach out to our friendly team who will be more than happy to help you. We can help you plan your project, calculate energy requirements, specify the correct equipment and components and perform all the complicated electrical work for you. All electrical work will be undertaken by qualified vehicle technicians with many years of experience. We’ll install your van conversion electrical system in our AWS-approved workshop in Goring-by-sea, West Sussex. Everything will comply with relevant legislation and all parts and labour will be fully guaranteed.

How Motorhome Workshop can help with your van conversion electrics

Our expert team of qualified technicians can help with any electrical aspect of a van conversion project. We have purposely designed our services to assist DIYers and camper van converters with their project, rather than performing the complete conversion. We are van people with years of experience converting all types of vans. We know all too well how satisfying it can be to complete a van conversion to a high standard. Motorhome Workshop provides guidance, assistance and technical expertise to supply and install the right electrical components to complete your van conversion project. Whether you’re planning a van conversion electrical system or need help with any aspect of a van conversion, Motorhome Workshop is here to help. Contact our team today to discuss your needs!
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