United States
Van & RV electrical blog
Practical guides for US van and RV builders — battery sizing, solar setup, DC-DC charging, wiring, inverters, and honest product comparisons. All priced in USD, sized in AWG. Not sure where to start? Try the free US calculator.
AWG wire size chart for van and RV 12V electrical circuits — ampacity, voltage drop, and what gauge to use for each common load.
The best pure sine wave inverters for van and RV electrical systems in 2026, sized for different power needs and budgets.
The most common mistakes in DIY van and RV electrical builds in the US — undersized wire, missing fuses, wrong charge profiles, and more.
A beginner-friendly introduction to van and RV electrical systems in the US — the core components, how they connect, and where to start.
How cold weather affects LiFePO4 battery charging in a van or RV — the 32°F charging limit, self-heating batteries, and practical workarounds.
How to size a DC-DC charger for alternator charging in a van or RV build, and why smart alternators make one essential.
EcoFlow, Jackery, and Bluetti portable power stations compared for van life and camping — capacity, charging speed, expandability, and which fits your use case.
What to know about wiring a Ford Transit campervan electrical system in the US — alternator type, battery placement, and DC-DC charging.
How to size a solar array for a van or RV build in the US — peak sun hours by region, the sizing formula, and real examples.
How to wire a pure sine inverter in a van or RV — cable sizing, fusing, and grounding, step by step.
LiFePO4 vs AGM batteries for van and RV builds compared — usable capacity, weight, lifespan, cost, and which is right for your build.
LiTime vs. Battle Born LiFePO4 batteries compared for US van and RV builds — price, warranty, cold-weather charging, and which fits your budget.
MPPT vs. PWM solar charge controllers compared for van and RV builds — efficiency, cost, and which one to choose.
What to know about wiring a Ram Promaster campervan electrical system in the US — alternator, battery placement, and the front-wheel-drive layout.
Renogy vs. Victron solar panels and charge controllers compared for van and RV builds — price, quality, monitoring, and which mix makes sense.
Step-by-step troubleshooting for a van or RV house battery that isn't charging from solar, DC-DC, or shore power.
Why a fuse keeps blowing in a van or RV 12V circuit, and how to diagnose the real cause instead of just upsizing the fuse.
How to size fuses for a van or RV 12V electrical system — the fuse-protects-the-wire rule, fuse types, and Class T fuses for LiFePO4.
How shore power works in a van or RV build — NEMA TT-30 vs. 14-50 connections, converter/chargers, and the NEC Article 551 requirements.
Step-by-step troubleshooting for a van or RV solar array that isn't charging the battery — wiring, controller, fuses, and panel checks.
How to size a pure sine inverter for a van or RV build — matching wattage to your appliances, accounting for surge, and the battery-side current math.
What to know about wiring a Mercedes Sprinter campervan electrical system in the US — alternator type, chassis grounding, and component placement.
What a DIY van or RV electrical system costs in the US — itemized budget for battery, solar, charging, and inverter at different build sizes.
How to set up a Victron SmartShunt battery monitor in a van or RV — wiring, placement, and configuring it for LiFePO4.
How to size a house battery for a van or RV build — daily watt-hour usage, the sizing formula, and real-world examples in Ah and kWh.
How to wire LiFePO4 batteries in parallel for a van or RV house bank — cable matching, fusing each battery, and when to go parallel vs. a single larger battery.
An honest 2026 Bluetti AC200L review for van life and RV off-grid use: 2048Wh capacity, 2400W output, 30A TT-30 RV port, expandability, and who it's really for.
Power station vs. house battery for van life, compared honestly: cost, install effort, capacity, and which one actually fits your build. Plus a free sizing calculator.
The best power station for CPAP camping off-grid: how to size watt-hours, why DC beats AC for runtime, humidifier tips, and specific unit picks for one to several nights.
How long will a power station run a 12V fridge? A clear runtime table by capacity and fridge draw, the simple math behind it, and the right unit size for your camping.