Author: Michael Jones

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Fuses and Breakers

Fuses and Breakers

Fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices that protect electrical circuits by interrupting the flow of electricity in the event of an overload or short circuit, preventing damage to the circuit and reducing the risk of fire. 

Fuses and Breakers must be sized properly – Please read our Guide to Fuse Sizing and Selection for more information.

MEGA/AMG Fuses

MEGA fuses are commonly used in Campers and RVs for protecting high-current circuits like power inverters, DC-DC chargers, and solar charge controllers. MEGA fuses are affordable and reliable, however, they have a low interrupt rating of 2,000 Amps and therefore, should not be used as battery bank fuses.

ANL Fuses

ANL Fuses are also used for protecting high-current circuits like power inverters, DC-DC chargers, and solar charge controllers.  ANL fuses are designed to be ignition protected, making them suitable for installation near combustible vapors. ANL fuses have an interrupt rating of 5,000 Amps, meeting the ABYC standards for serving as the main circuit protection for large lead acid battery banks. However, for lithium battery banks Class-T Fuses are recommended.

MRBF Fuses – Marine Rated Battery Fuse

MRBF fuses have an interrupt rating of 10,000 Amps and meet ABYC standards for lead acid battery banks. 

Class-T Fuses

Class T fuses have an interrupt rating of 20,000 Amps and should be used in lithium battery banks or situations where multiple lead acid battery banks are wired in parallel. Both of these types of battery installs could produce current interrupt values that would exceed what an ANL / MRBF fuse could interrupt safely.

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Cables and Wiring

Cables and Wiring

For your Van Build or RV, you’ll need high-quality wiring. Always select pure copper wires, when in doubt, look for marine grade (UL-1426) wires.

Avoid CCA (copper-clad aluminum) unless you have specifically calculated your design for them.

Wires and cables must be sized properly – Please read our Guide to Wire Sizing and Selection for more information.

Battery and Inverter Cables

These large gauge cables are suitable for Battery Banks, Power Inverters, and other high current components. Always use pure copper cable, and never use CCA (copper-clad aluminum) unless you have specifically designed your system for it. CCA cable has a lower amperage carrying capacity than pure copper cable.

Marine grade cable (UL-1426) and welding cable are great to use as power cable. If you need help determining which size wire to use, visit our Wire Selection Guide.

Small Gauge Wire and Cable

These wires are for smaller amperage loads. Use these to distribute power to sockets, lights, fans, etc..

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Diagnosis Tools

Diagnostic Tools

Electrical diagnostic tools measure different aspects of electrical circuits.  Tools such as multimeters, ammeters, and test lights help diagnose electrical problems in electrical circuits.

It’s important to have a basic understanding of electrical circuits and safety measures before using these tools.

Tools for basic electrical diagnosis and troubleshooting

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Wiring Tools

Wiring Tools


Wiring tools like crimpers, cutters, and strippers are used to make electrical connections. Investing in high-quality tools is worthwhile because poor wire connections can pose a fire risk.

Basic tools for making wire connections

Budget Wiring Tools

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Inverter Chargers

Inverter Chargers

Power Inverter and Battery Charger combined in one convenient package. I recommend Inverter Chargers for most first-time van builders because it simplifies the installation process since few components are required. With an Inverter Charger, you’ll have A/C current and the ability to charge your batteries at campgrounds.

12-volt Power Inverters

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Power Inverters

Power Inverters

Power Inverters convert D/C electricity into A/C electricity. A/C electricity is what you have at home, so if you plan to power household devices, you’ll need a power inverter.

12-volt Power Inverters

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Solar Charge Controllers

Solar Charge Controllers


A solar charge controller regulates the amount of charge going into a battery from a solar panel to prevent overcharging, which can damage the battery. 

There are two types of charge controllers:
PWM (pulse width modulation) and MPPT (maximum power point tracking). PWM controllers are cheaper and simpler, but MPPT controllers are more efficient, allowing for up to 30% more power to be generated from the solar panel.

MPPT Solar Charge Controllers

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Solar Panels

Solar Panels

A solar panel converts sunlight into electricity. Each panel contains photovoltaic (PV) cells that absorb photons from the sun and convert them into direct current (DC) electricity.  Solar panels are a renewable energy source that can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower energy costs over time.

Solar Panels for Van Conversions and RVs

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Batteries

Batteries

Batteries store chemical energy and convert it into electrical energy (DC current). There are multiple types of batteries with different chemistries, such as lead-acid, lithium, and nickel-cadmium.

For RV and van conversions, we recommend using lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. LiFePO4 batteries are safer, more efficient, and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. They are also lighter and more compact, which is important for mobile applications where space is limited.

12-volt LiFePo4 Batteries