Recreational Vans
An off grid electrical system allows you to power appliances and devices without plugging into a campground pedestal. At its core, it is a loop of generation, storage, conversion, and distribution, all sized to your loads and travel style. Generation comes from solar modules and vehicle alternator charging, with optional shore charging when you do stop at a plug. Storage is your battery bank, most often lithium iron phosphate for high usable capacity and fast charge acceptance. Conversion and distribution include DC circuits, an inverter charger for AC outlets, and a protection scheme that keeps the system safe.
Core components typically include:
Start with an energy audit. List every device, its power draw in watts or amps, and estimated daily runtime. Convert to watt hours per day, then add a buffer for weather, elevation, and seasonal changes. This power budget drives every decision, from battery size to solar footprint.
Battery chemistry matters. Lithium iron phosphate offers deep usable capacity, stable voltage under load, thousands of cycles, and lighter weight compared to AGM. Look for a battery management system with low temperature protection if you camp in cold weather. For inverter sizing, consider your largest simultaneous AC load and add headroom; a 2000 to 3000 watt pure sine inverter is common for induction cooktops, air conditioning soft start, or a small microwave. On the DC side, use a dedicated fuse block with properly sized fuses for each branch circuit.
Solar is silent and steady, but its output changes with angle, shading, and season. Rigid modules offer good efficiency and cooling airflow, while flexible modules save height but may run warmer. An MPPT controller extracts maximum power by tracking the panel voltage sweet spot. For alternator charging, a DC to DC charger protects the alternator and optimizes current for lithium batteries, which accept high charge rates.
Your battery bank capacity must cover your daily consumption with a cushion. If your audit totals 1200 watt hours per day, a 3000 to 4000 watt hour bank (about 250 to 330 amp hours at 12 volts) delivers two to three days of autonomy without charging. Bigger is not always better; more capacity increases cost and weight, and may require longer charge windows. Balance storage with generation.
Solar array sizing depends on roof real estate and your latitude. As a rule of thumb, 400 to 600 watts of solar supports moderate use in fair conditions; winter or shaded forest travel may require more battery and a stronger alternator strategy. Series wiring can reduce current and cable size but raises voltage, which the controller must support. Parallel wiring maintains lower voltage and better shade tolerance but demands larger conductors. A series parallel layout often strikes a practical balance.
Alternator charging fills gaps when the sun does not cooperate. A DC to DC charger sized between 30 and 60 amps is common in 12 volt systems. Shore power is a helpful backup when parked at a friend’s house or a trailhead with outlets. An inverter charger can bring the bank back to full while supplying AC loads, and can be configured for power sharing to avoid tripping breakers on low amperage circuits.
Safety is non negotiable. Every positive cable that leaves a battery needs a properly rated fuse within inches of the terminal. Choose marine grade wire with tinned copper conductors and insulation rated for the environment. Size wire by ampacity and acceptable voltage drop; long runs and high current devices need thicker conductors. Use insulated busbars for neat distribution and covered switches for service isolation.
Grounding and bonding should follow best practices. Create a common negative reference point, bond to chassis where appropriate, and follow manufacturer instructions for inverter chassis grounds and neutral to ground bonding when on inverter power. Mount lithium batteries with ventilation clearance and never block pressure reliefs. Secure heavy components to withstand sudden stops and rough roads. Label everything and document the wiring for future service.
A clean installation is easier to live with and easier to service. Place high current components close together to shorten cable runs and reduce voltage drop. Keep service loops in cables but avoid tight bends. Separate low voltage signal wires from high current lines to minimize interference. Install a shunt based battery monitor to track state of charge and cumulative amp hours. Consider a smart shunt or battery monitor that integrates with your solar controller for a single view of system health.
Monitoring pays off in the wild. Watch charge rates, state of charge, and load spikes to adjust usage on cloudy days. Schedule equalization only for chemistries that need it, and follow the charge profile specified by the battery maker. Update firmware on smart devices so charge algorithms stay current. Before each season, torque check lugs, test breakers, clean grounds, and verify fans and vents are clear.
When you prefer a system that just works, a professional build saves time and prevents costly rework. Our team designs off grid electrical systems around real world usage, then installs them with serviceable layouts, clean routing, and verified safety. If you are planning a full adventure rig, explore our Recreational vans to see how power integrates with layouts, climate control, and storage. Ready to tailor every circuit to your travel style? Start with a Custom van build. Seeking a finance friendly path into a capable platform? Review our Mainstream vans options and build from there.
We listen first, then engineer. That means your air conditioning has the surge capacity it needs, your fridge never browns out, and your charging strategy matches your driving patterns. You get quiet power, tidy service access, and documentation for the road.
Tell us how you camp, what you power, and how far you roam. We will design and install a dependable off grid electrical system that fits your van and your life, built in Fayetteville Arkansas and tested before handoff. Submit the form to get your custom plan and a clear quote.
Ready for dependable off grid power you do not have to babysit? Tell us how you travel and we will design and build a quiet, safe electrical system that runs your essentials with confidence. Get your custom quote now and step into worry free power.
ADDRESS:
6159 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE:
(479) 326-9200
EMAIL:
info@ozkvans.com