Van Build Electrical

[Steve_P]

I am considering a van build from scratch, don't have the van yet, but would like to start designing the house electrical system. Does anyone have a recommendation for schematic diagram software to draw out the potential system. I expect several iterations so something easily expandable and modifiable would be preferred.

If details would help:
300 AH LFP house battery.
I am considering a Victron Multiplus Compact 12/120 2kw inverter charger, Victron 100/50 solar controller and Victron 30 amp DCDC charger.
I am considering either multiple Blue Sea 187 DC breakers or a Victron Lynx distributor, leaning toward the Blue Sea.
I plan for 2 120VAC circuits, one for the galley and a separate one for my Engel MT35.
Multiple 12VDC circuits for various puposes.
I intend to use a 20 amp shore power cable.

TIA

 

[llamalander]

I would take a look at Exploriast.life, it's a great, highly detailed site that has vehicle electrical really well dialed. These days, they sell the equipment they recommend, but it didn't start that way. The packages are complete and well priced.

I have built a few vehicles and only lately learned of them, and I'm impressed. More importantly, he has schematics for building Victron systems, which is really top-quality gear--looks like you are considering it.

Worth noting that all of Victron's warrantee and service runs through the vendor, so anything bought off of Am**** is more-or-less unsupported. A good vendor like Explorist or PKYS is indispensable. Making sure you have the components properly wired will make it a pretty seamless system

 

[Steve_P]

Thanks, I will look at that site to see if it meets my needs. There is a local Victron dealer that I will use if his prices aren't too extravagant.

 

[andy_b]

I have bought a lot of stuff from Explorist including their wiring diagram, Victron components, misc wiring, etc. Highly recommend working with them. Honestly, buying what they create in terms of wiring diagrams and adapting it as needed would most likely be much easier than buying software, learning how to use it, and then creating the diagram from scratch.

I don’t love that they don’t have a phone number to call but I understand why. They were always responsive via email, even for some advice for stuff that wasn’t directly associated w/ their products (although I did get the schematics from them so maybe that was it…).

I also had great experiences with Current Connected.

 

[Transit720]

I plan for 2 120VAC circuits, one for the galley and a separate one for my Engel MT35.
Multiple 12VDC circuits for various puposes.
I intend to use a 20 amp shore power cable.

curious why you would run a 120v refrigerator. as you probably know, there's an efficiency loss in inverting from your 12v battery to 120v. So, why not just run a 12v refrigerator?

unrelated, I've not yet done business with explorist.life, but their videos have been helpful to me.

 

[Steve_P]

curious why you would run a 120v refrigerator.

Inverter/Charger has a pass through circuit when plugged in to shore power. Might as well use it at home or when plugged in to reduce battery cycles. Separate breaker will allow me to disconnect 120VAC to fridge while running off of inverter.

 

[Transit720]

ah, so it's 12v AND 120v