DIY Campervan Solar System | Components, Design & Installation

This post goes through everything you need to know about camper solar panels. 

It starts simple, explaining every component of a campervan solar system before helping you calculate how many solar panels you need.

If you're new to DIY campervan conversions or RV & motorhome electrics, start with this post.

This post will teach you about what campervan batteries to use in your solar set up.

It covers the types of batteries available including Lithium ion, AGMs and Gel batteries.

We'll help you work out not only how many you need for your lifestyle but also which are most economical in the long run.

If you know anything about batteries, you may be surprised by the answer.

This guide will help you select the right solar charge controller for your setup.

It explains the differences between PWM and MPPT solar charge controllers so you can figure out which is best for you.

As an added bonus, we’ve included an easy to use calculator so you can choose the right size RV solar charge controller for your setup. 

It even recommends the best product to meet those needs.

This complete guide simplifies and explains the different ways a solar array can be wired.

Because the best configuration for maximum performance depends on the panels in the solar array, there's no one size fits all answer.

This whole post explains the different ways of wiring multiple solar panels together, providing the information you need to decide how best to configure your camper solar setup.

It starts simply with diagrams for the different wiring configurations and how each affects the components you need for your camper solar setup, before delving into the complexities of mixed solar panels.

We’ve included an interactive series vs parallel calculator so you can decide the best configuration for your solar array.

The purpose of this post is to share our DIY solar wiring diagrams, provide a brief glossary about each component of a solar system and to explain a little of the theory behind our diagrams.

It includes a collection of 12v solar panel wiring diagrams from 100w to 800w including series, parallel and combined wiring configurations and complete kit list to get your off grid van life to an epic start.

Installing solar panels on a camper van conversion is one of the best things you can do for an independent lifestyle and it helps keep van life costs down too.

Here, we provide a step by step guide on how to install solar panels on RVs, campervans and motorhomes.

Whether this is your camper’s first electrical installation or you’re retro fitting solar panels into an existing campervan electrical design, this guide has you covered.

This interactive solar charge controller calculator will help you correctly size this important component in your camper solar setup.

It’s simple and straightforward to use with a section of FAQs to help you along the way.

A step by step guide to installing a 12v DC wiring system in your campervan including battery, appliances, fuses blocks and bus bars.

This post covers much more than the campervan solar system too so will help when you need to install your appliances, shore power or charge your batteries from the alternator.

This post explains everything you need to know about campervan electrics.

It’ll help you design the right system for the van life you want.

This too covers more than camper solar panels so if you're new to all things campervan electric related, this is a the ideal place to start.

We've shared our own camper van electrical design in the post.

The design is pretty generic so aside from sizing and component specifics, is what most RVs, motorhomes and campervans have installed.

If you’re looking for a design for your own van build, this is a great base to start from.