Having an efficient Electrical power system aboard your Campervan is an essential part of what that turns a van into a campervan.

Whether you need power for gadgets, lighting, a T.V, or for the internal fan on a diesel night heater, having an efficient electrical system is essential.

In this article, we explain every part of a campervan electrical system. Helping you choose the correct equipment for your campervan conversion.

Campervan Electricity System

In the most basic form, a campervans electrical system can be split into three stages.

Stage 1 – Campervan Charge System

The first stage of a campervans electrical system is creating the initial power. Generally, you can generate the electricity required for your campervan electrical system using three different methods.

These methods can be used individually or work together.

Method 1 – Split Charge System (Vehicle Alternator)

As your vehicle already creates a 12-volt power supply, the most common way to power your campervan electrical system is by installing a direct connection.

How do you connect to the vehicle’s alternator in a campervan?

Although it may sound like a straightforward process, there’s a little more involved when connecting to a vehicles native electrical system. In theory, yes, you can connect your alternator directly to your campervans electrical system. By doing this, you may face a few problems.

As you’ve created a direct connection to your vehicles power supply, you now risk using all the power in your starter battery when stationary. As a result, you would inevitably use all power required to start the vehicle’s engine. Consequently, you may find yourself stranded.

One solution is to install a manually operated battery isolator on the cable connection between your vehicle and campervan power system. Although this method has its uses, it once again comes with its own set of problems. Many users simply forget to cut the connection when camped. And you’re now back to square one.

The most common solution (and the most practical) is to install a split charge system.

What is a split charge system?

In simple terminology, a split charge system uses a device called a split charge relay. This is an intelligent device installed between the cable that is connected between your alternator and campervan power system.

How does a split charge relay work?

A split charge relay behaves like an intelligent switch. When you turn your engine on, the split charge relay will detect the power increase and will now engage its internal contacts. As a result, electricity will begin to flow between from the alternator and your campervan power system.

When you turn the engine off, the spit charge device will detect the power drop, and disconnect the internal contacts. This will now stop the flow of electricity.

Why should you install a split charge system?

There are a few reasons why you should install a split charging system in your campervan.

• • Trouble-free operation. You don’t have to worry about using all the power out of your starter battery. As the system works by intelligently allowing the power to flow when conditions are right, you’ll never run your starter battery flat.
  • Easy to install. If you can wire a plug, chances are you can install a split charge system.
  • Low cost. A typical campervan split charge kit on Amazon can be purchased for around £70.00

Typical Split Charge Wiring Diagram

1. Engine (Alternator)
2. Split Charge Relay
3. Leisure Battery

Method 2 – Solar Power Charge System

Solar power is an excellent way of adding power to your campervan power setup. After all, it’s basically free electricity!

Furthermore, you’re not creating harmful emissions that are being released into the air when producing solar electricity.

And finally, after your solar panels have been installed, operational costs are quite low compared to other forms of power generation.

How does a solar power system work?

A solar panel system is a combination of two items. The first, which is a solar panel, works by turning energy coming from the sun into usable electricity.

The generated electricity leaves the panel(s) via a cable (Quick note: multiple panels are connected together using MC-4 connectors).  The power now enters the second device called a solar power charge controller. Its job is to regulate the incoming electricity from your solar panel. It works by monitoring and controlling the electricity to minimise any potential issues that may damage your Leisure Battery.

Finally, the power leaves the charge controller, where it’s stored in a connected leisure battery.

What is a typical solar power campervan setup?

Here are the components you would typically find in a campervan solar power system.

1. Solar Panel
2. MC-4 Connectors
3. Charge Controller
4. Leisure Battery

Method 3 – Shore Power System (+ Battery Charge)

The final method of creating electricity in your campervan is via shore power. Shore power is classified as land-based power. Generally, land-based power is power coming from a countries national electric grid. Depending on the county you are in, this is either 110 or 230 volts.

But it is also possible to generate land-based power using an external generator. These generators may be powered by diesel or renewable energy sources such as wind or solar.

Why should I install shore power aboard my campervan?

By installing shore power aboard your campervan, you now have the ability to power high voltage appliances (110/230v).

Items such as a microwave, hairdryer, laptop chargers and electric heaters all require high voltage power.

How do I connect to shore power?

Connecting to shore power is a relatively simple process. The first step is to connect a land-based electricity supply to a power inlet. This is usually installed in the wall of your campervan body.

From here, the electricity travels to a consumer unit. This device is the single most crucial electrical device when connecting to shore power. Not only will it protects your electrical appliances from any potential damage, but more importantly, it will protect you from an electrical shock.

Finally, electricity leaves your consumer unit to a mains electrical socket. A great addition is to install a battery charger to charge your onboard leisure battery. By doing this, you will keep your leisure batteries at their optimum level.

Typical shore power wiring diagram

Here are the components you would typically find in a campervan shore power system.

1. Mains Power Socket Inlet
2. Consumer Unit
3. Mains Power Socket Outlet
4. Battery Charger (optional)
5. Leisure Battery

Stage 2 – Campervan Power Storage System

Now you have a way to produce power in your campervan, you’ll inevitably need a method to store all this power.

For this, you use a leisure battery.

Leisure Battery

A leisure battery is an essential part of a campervan electrical system. It is used to store all generated power for 12V appliances and equipment in a campervan.

These batteries are specially designed to provide a steady level of power over a prolonged period. They are used by the L.E.D’s, T.V., U.S.B charge sockets as well as similar electrical components.

How do I add more storage capacity to my leisure battery?

You can increase your leisure battery storage capacity by adding more leisure batteries to your electrical system.

When connecting leisure batteries together, make sure you connect them in a parallel format.

Stage 3 – Campervan Electrical Distribution System

Now you have an efficient method to store power aboard your campervan, you’ll now need to distribute power safely to individual appliances.

But here’s where it can get a little confusing.

A typical campervan has two electrical load systems:

12 Volt Electrical System

The first electrical system is also the one installed in the majority of campervan conversions.

A 12-volt power system is a low voltage electrical system that runs separately to your vehicles native electrical system.

Simply put, a 12-volt power system is responsible for powering all additional 12-volt devices installed aboard a campervan.

Why would I use a 12v power system in a campervan?

• Availability of 12-volt appliances. The nominal onboard voltage aboard your campervan is 12-volts D.C. Items such as the horn, lights, E.C.U and stereo all run of a 12 volt supply.  Furthermore, there are millions of vehicles around the planet, all running on a 12-volt system. Therefore, it makes economic sense for manufactures to develop appliances just for this voltage.

• Your vehicle has a native 12-volt system already in place. As your campervan has a native 12-volt system onboard, creating an additional 12-volt system to power all 12-volt appliances is a relatively simple process.

• 12 volts is safe. Generally, electricity lower than 50 volts is classified as safe for human contact. Conversely, we must stress: Always be cautious when working with any type of live electrical equipment. Always wear appropriate protective equipment.

How do I connect my items to the 12v power system?

To connect your appliances to your power system you would install a fuse box. A fuse box is a brilliant way of adding multiple 12-volt connection points.

Slide 1: Fuse Box + Integrated Negative Bus Bar

Simply connect a positive and a negative cable from your leisure battery to the corresponding terminals on your fuse box.

Slide 2: Fuse Box + Separate Negative Bus Bar

If your fuse box does not come with an integrated negative connection block, simply install a separate negative bar with multiple terminals. These are known as a bus-bar.

110/230 Volt System (Mains Power)

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