The VW Crafter (and its twin, the MAN TGE) is a premium choice for campervan conversions with excellent build quality and a strong chassis. Planning your campervan electrical system for a Crafter requires understanding its specific alternator setup and wiring characteristics.
Design your Crafter electrical system
Our free calculator designs a complete system for your VW Crafter — batteries, solar, wiring, and fuses in 5 minutes.
Crafter Alternator & Smart Charging
All current-generation VW Crafters (2017+) use a smart alternator with brake energy recuperation. This means the alternator voltage varies significantly — sometimes dropping to 12.4V and sometimes spiking to 14.8V.
You must use a DC-DC charger — a split charge relay will not work reliably. The Victron Orion XS 30A is an excellent choice as it handles smart alternator voltage fluctuations automatically.
No split charge relays
Do not install a VSR or split charge relay on a VW Crafter. The smart alternator will not charge your leisure battery properly, and you risk damaging LiFePO4 cells with unregulated voltage spikes.
Starter Battery Location
The Crafter's starter battery is under the driver's seat. This is actually convenient for campervan conversions as it shortens the cable run to a leisure battery mounted in the rear or under the bed.
Typical cable length from starter battery to leisure area: 3-5 metres. Use our wire gauge calculator to size cables for this distance.
Solar Roof Space
The Crafter offers generous roof space:
| Model | Approx. Solar Capacity |
|---|---|
| MWB (L3) | 400-600W |
| LWB (L4) | 600-800W |
See how many solar panels you need and campervan roof space by model for sizing help.
Recommended System
- Battery: 200-300Ah LiFePO4
- Solar: 200-400W rigid panels
- DC-DC: Victron Orion XS 30A (essential for smart alternator)
- Inverter: 1000-2000W pure sine wave
- MPPT: Victron SmartSolar 100/30
Use our free calculator for exact sizing based on your appliance list.
Crafter advantage
The Crafter's wide body (2.04m internal width) gives more space for battery placement and electrical components compared to narrower vans like the Transit Custom.
FAQ
Does the VW Crafter have a smart alternator?
Yes, all 2017+ Crafters have smart alternators. You must use a DC-DC charger, not a split charge relay.
Is the VW Crafter or MAN TGE better for conversion?
They're mechanically identical — same factory, same chassis, same drivetrain. The Crafter tends to have better resale value due to the VW badge, but the TGE can be cheaper to buy initially.
How much solar fits on a Crafter roof?
An LWB Crafter can accommodate 600-800W of rigid solar panels. Most builds use 200-400W which covers typical daily usage.
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Jack Kennedy is a self-builder who has built two vans. He created Roam Wired to simplify conversion planning and share free tools, supported by affiliate links.
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