When updating parts of the electrical system on my 1999 motor coach, I discovered BlueSea components. They’ve been fault free for over 10 years. You’ve confirmed for me the prudent use of marine grade components, I discovered them throughout the 1999 build for all systems, and they have been ideal. For instance, I can still buy anodes and elements for the water heater 25 years later.
Thanks for sharing knowledge and showing system in place. Your videos have a lot of useful information to apply as a DIY, looking for 100% outfitter build, or in my case likely a hybrid. Rock on.
So happy to hear you started out doing all this DIY. I have heard George from humble mention he likes lithonics batteries the best, so I’m wondering why you picked battleborn. I have also heard another builder talk about Dakota being the best. I want the best efficient battery and one that will not explode.
Lithionics are great batteries. We also like SOK batteries. We are a Battle Born dealer and they provide us fair pricing and great customer service. You can't go wrong with any of these, in my opinion.
I don't get it why people prefer breakers in a 12volt system over fuses. If a fuse or breaker pops you have a failure or a design fault. Don't just reset but find the issue and fix it. Fuses never pop in my build!!
In looking for a circuit breaker I found three types. What is the difference in fused (I do know they have replaceable fuses), switch only, & circuit breaker? Thank you for your answer.
If you're talking about the Blue Sea DC panels, the switch only has does not have a fuse. You would have to add that somewhere else. We use either the fused or circuit breaker version.
Hey Mate, Awesome video. loving your content, as I am building my own van out here in Australia and this and many of your videos have helped me and I have decided to go with this exact electrical system. My question is do you know if there are any Victron cords/cables I need to order when ordering my system, I don't mean power cables I mores mean cables like the RJ45 UTP Cables or VE Direct Cables and if so haw many would I need as I want to try order everything from the same place here in Australia. And if you have a Wiring diagram I can purchase for this exact system? Cheers mate, appreciate you 🙌🤙💯
G'day! Thanks for watching. You will need an RJ45 cable to connect the inverter to the Cerbo GX. You'll also need (2) VE Direct Cables to connect the SmartSolar controller, and the Smart Shunt to the Cerbo GX.
Great video, thank you for all the details 😊 in your van what are you running on AC 120 v ? I have a very hard time to define what needs to be on AC 120v :/
We use 1/2" Hexply over the mechanical boxes. We screw these in from the back using corner brackets. Where we can reach the back, we put a black screw through the Hexply right into the center of the aluminum bar.
@@OurThrivingLife Nice. Thanks for the reply. I am still contemplating if we are going to go for the 80/20 type product (like "tnutz" as you recommend) or go wood. Only thing that makes me skittish is I heard George from Humble Road say how he has to do a "tighten up" on everything 6 months or a year (?) after install.
@@TeutonicNordwindI’ve had 8020 cabinets in for 6 years. No loosening of anything. I used blue loctite on every bolt. Also used a thin serrated lock washer.
@@daisydela Thanks for the tips. Waiting for the weather to break for spring here in Michigan to get started on it. Been studying and making some decisions on electrical
Hi, thanks for another great video. You mentioned that you use an alternative supplier instead of 80/20 but I don't see the link here or on your website. Can you please help with that link?
Whats the cost if you were to build the whole component extruded aluminum box with all the individual electrical components and ship them out to Bloomingdale NY? Also I think it would be cool to have a dual Murphy bed design in the back of the van that you could on the plumbing side have Molly panels to store shovels, tools. fishing and camping gear and on the other side have a mad scientist work station with monitors. switch panels security camera controls etc and a flip down work table..kind of like a work station to view all the van system diagnostics for battery charge life...water and tank level indicators etc etc. I don't like hodge podge intall all over the van in odd places. I'll have you design that for me so it's like Scooby Doo Mystery Machine meets military grade utilitarian design. We should all have fun with the design aspect and not be so cookie cutter in that thought process. Cheers!
People interested in building a van should talk to people about their real-world electrical use and solar generation to decide if solar is worth the expense and roof real estate. On a best day, my solar produces 30 amp hours. I use about 150 amp hours per day without AC and 3 hours of inverter use. My solar system is useless to me.
When updating parts of the electrical system on my 1999 motor coach, I discovered BlueSea components. They’ve been fault free for over 10 years. You’ve confirmed for me the prudent use of marine grade components, I discovered them throughout the 1999 build for all systems, and they have been ideal. For instance, I can still buy anodes and elements for the water heater 25 years later.
Awesome. Blue Sea is great.
I think you mean they do not like being charged in cold weather < 32F, but storing/using them is fine in cold temps
Thanks for sharing knowledge and showing system in place. Your videos have a lot of useful information to apply as a DIY, looking for 100% outfitter build, or in my case likely a hybrid. Rock on.
Great stuff!
Thanks for sharing :)
hello from Scotland too!
🙏🏼
Super helpful, Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
So happy to hear you started out doing all this DIY. I have heard George from humble mention he likes lithonics batteries the best, so I’m wondering why you picked battleborn. I have also heard another builder talk about Dakota being the best. I want the best efficient battery and one that will not explode.
Lithionics are great batteries. We also like SOK batteries. We are a Battle Born dealer and they provide us fair pricing and great customer service. You can't go wrong with any of these, in my opinion.
Thank you Jeff! this is good to hear!
Nice video. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
I don't get it why people prefer breakers in a 12volt system over fuses. If a fuse or breaker pops you have a failure or a design fault. Don't just reset but find the issue and fix it. Fuses never pop in my build!!
Excellent information....thank you!
Glad it was helpful!.
In looking for a circuit breaker I found three types. What is the difference in fused (I do know they have replaceable fuses), switch only, & circuit breaker? Thank you for your answer.
If you're talking about the Blue Sea DC panels, the switch only has does not have a fuse. You would have to add that somewhere else. We use either the fused or circuit breaker version.
Hey Mate, Awesome video. loving your content, as I am building my own van out here in Australia and this and many of your videos have helped me and I have decided to go with this exact electrical system. My question is do you know if there are any Victron cords/cables I need to order when ordering my system, I don't mean power cables I mores mean cables like the RJ45 UTP Cables or VE Direct Cables and if so haw many would I need as I want to try order everything from the same place here in Australia. And if you have a Wiring diagram I can purchase for this exact system? Cheers mate, appreciate you 🙌🤙💯
G'day! Thanks for watching. You will need an RJ45 cable to connect the inverter to the Cerbo GX. You'll also need (2) VE Direct Cables to connect the SmartSolar controller, and the Smart Shunt to the Cerbo GX.
@@OurThrivingLife thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate that. Do you have a wiring diagram I can purchase at all?
Great video, thank you for all the details 😊 in your van what are you running on AC 120 v ? I have a very hard time to define what needs to be on AC 120v :/
Microwave, water heater, induction cooktop, and outlets.
Great video Sir! You have an interesting background experience. Sounds similar to mine. What did you use to do for a living?
Supply chain management.
Jeff, do any of your vids show tips/best way you have found to "skin" the extruded aluminum framed boxes?
We use 1/2" Hexply over the mechanical boxes. We screw these in from the back using corner brackets. Where we can reach the back, we put a black screw through the Hexply right into the center of the aluminum bar.
@@OurThrivingLife Nice. Thanks for the reply. I am still contemplating if we are going to go for the 80/20 type product (like "tnutz" as you recommend) or go wood. Only thing that makes me skittish is I heard George from Humble Road say how he has to do a "tighten up" on everything 6 months or a year (?) after install.
@@TeutonicNordwindI’ve had 8020 cabinets in for 6 years. No loosening of anything. I used blue loctite on every bolt. Also used a thin serrated lock washer.
@@daisydela Thanks for the tips. Waiting for the weather to break for spring here in Michigan to get started on it. Been studying and making some decisions on electrical
Where do you get your hexa ply? Having a hard time finding it local and shipping costs are pretty steep.
We get it from a local supplier in Salt Lake City.
Hi, thanks for another great video. You mentioned that you use an alternative supplier instead of 80/20 but I don't see the link here or on your website. Can you please help with that link?
Dang. I forgot to add that. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll add it to the description right now.
Sorry Jeff, one more question, what width of hexply are you using for the electrical box? Thanks much :)
Not sure what you mean by width. Thickness? 1/2”
Yes thickness?
What is the size of your electrical box? Thank you!
It’s about 16” deep, 32” tall, and 55” long.
Whats the cost if you were to build the whole component extruded aluminum box with all the individual electrical components and ship them out to Bloomingdale NY? Also I think it would be cool to have a dual Murphy bed design in the back of the van that you could on the plumbing side have Molly panels to store shovels, tools. fishing and camping gear and on the other side have a mad scientist work station with monitors. switch panels security camera controls etc and a flip down work table..kind of like a work station to view all the van system diagnostics for battery charge life...water and tank level indicators etc etc. I don't like hodge podge intall all over the van in odd places. I'll have you design that for me so it's like Scooby Doo Mystery Machine meets military grade utilitarian design. We should all have fun with the design aspect and not be so cookie cutter in that thought process. Cheers!
You can do all things through a big enough bank account.
🤣
People interested in building a van should talk to people about their real-world electrical use and solar generation to decide if solar is worth the expense and roof real estate.
On a best day, my solar produces 30 amp hours. I use about 150 amp hours per day without AC and 3 hours of inverter use. My solar system is useless to me.