Do I need an electrician to wire shore power in a van?

The 120V AC portion of shore power wiring — inlet, breaker, any AC outlets fed from shore power — involves line voltage and should be done by or inspected by a licensed electrician in most US states. The 12V DC output from the converter/charger to the house battery is standard low-voltage work. Many van builders handle the DC side themselves and hire an electrician to check or install the 120V side.

What inlet do I need for 30 amp shore power?

A NEMA TT-30 inlet — this is the standard 30A RV shore power connector. Mount it on the exterior of the van (typically on the driver's side, passenger side, or rear), weatherproofed with a cover that seals when not in use. Marinco, Blue Sea, and standard RV inlet brands all make compatible units ($30–$60).

How to Wire a Shore Power Inlet in a Van (Step by Step)

Adding shore power to a van gives you mains-speed battery charging whenever you're at a campground, friend's house, or any 120V outlet. Here's how the wiring flows.

For context on the converter/charger that connects to the inlet: RV converter/charger explained and best RV converter/charger.

120V AC is licensed-electrician territory in most states

The shore power inlet and AC wiring carries line voltage — the same as household wiring. In most US states, this work requires a licensed electrician or must be inspected by one. The 12V DC output from the converter/charger is standard low-voltage work that most van builders handle themselves. Don't skip the 120V portion — a wiring fault here can cause shock or fire.

What you need

NEMA TT-30 shore power inlet (weatherproof, with cover)
10 AWG 3-conductor wire (hot, neutral, ground) from inlet to breaker
30A single-pole AC breaker
Small AC breaker panel or inline breaker holder
Converter/charger (Victron Blue Smart IP22, PowerMax, etc.)
10 AWG wire from converter/charger DC output to house battery
ANL or inline fuse on DC output side

The wiring flow

Shore power path:

NEMA TT-30 inlet (exterior mount) → 10 AWG 3-conductor cable
→ 30A breaker (protects the inlet cable and converter/charger)
→ Converter/charger AC input (120V to the charger)
→ Converter/charger DC output → house battery (via 10 AWG cable, fused within 12 inches of battery)

Step 1: Choose and mount the inlet

Mount the NEMA TT-30 inlet on the exterior — driver's side or passenger's side wall, typically 12–18 inches from the floor for easy access. Drill a hole sized for the inlet's barrel, fit from outside, secure with the backing plate inside. Use marine sealant around the edges to waterproof.

Inlet options: Standard RV inlets are fine. For a cleaner look, Marinco or Blue Sea outlets have better weatherproofing and a more finished appearance.

Step 2: Run the AC cable

Run 10 AWG 3-conductor wire (often sold as 10/3 SJOOW or 10/3 THHN) from the inlet to your converter/charger location inside the van. Protect it with conduit or split loom where it passes through walls or near sharp edges. The three conductors are:

Black (hot): carries current from the outlet
White (neutral): return path
Green or bare (ground): safety ground

Step 3: Install the breaker

A 30A single-pole breaker protects the AC circuit between the inlet and converter/charger. This can be:

A small AC breaker panel (Siemens, Square D — a 2-space or 4-space mini panel)
An inline 30A breaker in a weatherproof box
Part of an inverter/charger's built-in circuit protection

Wire hot (black) through the breaker. Neutral (white) connects to the neutral bar. Ground connects to the ground bar.

Step 4: Connect the converter/charger

The AC input of the converter/charger connects to the output of the 30A breaker. Hot to hot, neutral to neutral, ground to ground. Consult the converter/charger manual — most have clear terminal labels.

Step 5: Wire the DC output to the battery

The DC output of the converter/charger runs to your house battery:

Positive from converter/charger → ANL fuse (within 12 inches of battery positive terminal) → house battery positive
Negative from converter/charger → main negative bus bar

Cable sizing: 10 AWG for a 30A charger on runs under 10 feet.

Step 6: Test

Before connecting shore power:

Confirm all connections are tight
Confirm the breaker is off
Connect a shore power cord to the inlet (without plugging into power)
Plug into a 120V outlet or shore power pedestal
Turn the breaker on
The converter/charger should illuminate and begin charging — verify with the VictronConnect app (if using Blue Smart) or the display on your charger