Vanlife - Electrical
Easily the toughest thing to wrap your brain around in your vanbuild if you're not already an electrician!
We read every site we could, watched all the videos, sent emails, and we still have questions sometimes. BUT...we also learned a ton and have a bunch of resources to share. Honestly, sometimes just reaching out to the commpany you buy stuff from can get you the best answers. Below we have resources, diagrams, products we use, and more to help as much as we can in the part of the build that made us the most nervous.
Electrical Resources
You might still need to read a couple of blogs to get it down, and these are some of our favorite places that were the most helpful. Keep in mind, we have a 2020 Ram Promaster, so some of the stuff below is just applicable to that, check to see if you even need to worry about these parts in your build!
Far Out Ride Calculator
We literally couldn't have built our electrical system without the direction, wisdom, resources, and work of this amazing couple. Check out their calculator to build your system right here!
Security System
After a year on the road, we wanted to feel confident in leaving our van at a trailhead, in a city, or across the country without constantly worrying about its safety. So we invested in a Comupstar system that we can monitor from our phone, and it's the best! We can lock, unlock and start our van from anywhere that we have a cell signal. Highly recommended, you can learn more here.
Our Wiring Diagram
Every system's different, but this is ours. Again, we couldn't have built this without the amazing calculator resource at Far Out Ride, they rule! Go throw them a bone, buy their calculator and save yourself so much time and headaches.
Just when you thought you knew it all, you go to install a DC-DC charger and have no idea where to hook up the signal wire...we were there too! So here are just a few tips for Promaster builders all in one place
Promaster/Vanbuild Electrical Tips
1. Plan out and run your electrical first! Figure out where you want the whole house system to live, then you can run wires efficiently and cover them up easily when you put up the walls and ceiling. You'll probably need to cut holes in the van to bring in your solar cables and your fan (if you're putting one in) so knowing where all the wiring will go will help you know where to cut those holes.
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2. Get more wire than you need...you'll run out quicker than you think. Just get a few feet more and if nothing else, you'll have extra for any repairs or changes.
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3. A DC-DC Charger is a MUST! Solar is great, Shore power is convenient, DC-DC is a lifesaver when you need a good power boost.
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4. Promaster's have an accessory power panel behind the seatbelt column on the passenger side door. If you hook up a DC-DC Charger and need the signal wire to tell the charger when the ignition is on, you'll need to reach this panel. Once you pop it off, there's an upfitter connector you'll need to get here and then also a set of these connector pins. Solder the pin to your signal wire and place it in this #13 position (picture below), then your system will only turn on when the van is on.
