A Complete Guide to Victron Products for Campervans
Introduction
Welcome to Rayne Automotive's complete guide to Victron products for campervans! Whether you're planning a simple 12V-only setup or aiming for a fully loaded off-grid, gasless campervan, this guide will help you understand the essential components from Victron Energy that can make your van life more efficient and enjoyable.
Why Choose Victron?
Victron Energy is renowned for its high-quality, reliable products that are perfect for campervans and motorhomes. Their range includes everything from chargers and inverters to solar controllers and batteries, all designed to help you create a robust and efficient electrical system.
Stage 1: Basic 12V Conversion
Starting with a basic 12V system is a great way to ensure you have the essentials covered. This setup is perfect for those who want to keep things simple and effective.
Key Components Needed:
- Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC Charger
- 12V Fuse box
- Optional: SmartShunt Battery Monitor
DC-DC Charger:
- Why Add It: This charger ensures your leisure battery gets charged while you drive, this is the modern version of a split charger. It's essential if your vehicle has a smart alternator or you have a Lithium leisure battery.
- Features: Bluetooth connectivity for easy monitoring and adjustable output for optimal charging efficiency.
DC Distribution System (12V fuse box):
- Why Add It: Efficiently distributes power to various 12V devices in your campervan .
- Features: Easy wiring, multiple output options, common earth rail, and integrated fuses for safety.
SmartShunt Battery Monitor (Optional):
- Why Add It: Provides accurate percentage state-of-charge readings and battery monitoring (voltage etc).
- Features: Bluetooth connectivity for easy monitoring from your smartphone and comprehensive data logging.
Installation Tips:
- Connecting the DC-DC Charger: Wire it to your vehicle's starter battery and leisure battery. This way, your battery charges as you drive.
- Setting Up the DC Distribution System: Connect it to your leisure battery and distribute power to your 12V circuits (Lights, fridge etc.).
- Installing the SmartShunt (if used): Connect it in the line between your leisure battery negative and the rest of your system negatives.
Stage 2: Adding Mains Hook-Up System
For those who often stay at campsites, adding a mains hook-up system ensures you can easily charge your batteries and power your devices.
Key Components Needed:
- 240V Consumer unit
- Blue Power IP65/IP67/IP22 Charger (Smart)
Blue Power Charger:
- Why Add It: This charger keeps your leisure batteries topped up when you're connected to mains power, like at a campsite.
- Features: Adaptive charging to prolong battery life and ultra-high efficiency to save energy.
Installation Tips:
- Integrating the Blue Smart Charger: Connect it to your mains power input and leisure battery. This setup is ideal for when you’re parked and hooked up to an external power source.
Stage 3: Adding Solar Power for Off-Grid Charging
To prolong your stay off-grid, adding a solar setup is a great option.
Key Components Needed:
- Victron Rigid Solar Panels
- SmartSolar MPPT Controller
Victron Rigid Solar Panels:
- Why Add Them: Solar panels provide a renewable energy source to keep your batteries charged without relying on your vehicle’s alternator or mains power.
- Features: High efficiency, durability, and long lifespan.
SmartSolar MPPT Controller:
- Why Add It: This controller optimizes the energy harvested from your solar panels, ensuring your batteries charge as efficiently as possible.
- Features: Advanced Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology and Bluetooth connectivity for easy monitoring.
Installation Tips:
- Mounting the Solar Panels: Ensure that the panels aren’t covered or shaded by roof racks, vents etc. this really reduces their output.
- Setting Up the MPPT Controller: Connect it between your solar panels and leisure battery to manage and optimize solar charging.
- Monitoring Performance: Use the Bluetooth feature to monitor the system’s performance via your smartphone.
Stage 4: Adding Inverter/Charger for Off-Grid 240V Power
For those looking to use standard household appliances and have a more advanced system, adding an inverter/charger is the next step.
Key Additional Components Needed:
- Multiplus Inverter/Charger
- Lithium Batteries (recommended for systems over 1200VA)
Components No Longer Needed:
- Blue power mains charger
Multiplus Inverter/Charger:
- Why Add It: This device allows you to run 240V appliances off your leisure battery and charges the battery when connected to mains power. It also switches seamlessly between battery and mains power, meaning that you’ll have power to the same sockets in the van whether you’re using the inverter or the mains hook up.
- Features: High surge power for running demanding appliances, and built-in transfer switch for easy switching between power sources.
Lithium Batteries:
- Why Add Them: Lithium batteries offer more capacity, faster charging, and a longer lifespan compared to traditional AGM batteries, especially beneficial for systems with high power demands, such as induction hobs, air fryers etc.
- Features: Lightweight and capable of deep discharge cycles without damaging the battery.
Installation Tips:
- Setting Up the Multiplus Inverter/Charger: Connect it to your leisure battery via an isolator and fuse, mains power input, and 240V AC output. This enables you to use mains powered devices and charge your batteries efficiently. We have special inverter/charger mains consumer units which feature 2 RCBOs in series. These are perfect for protecting systems like this.
- Upgrading to Lithium Batteries: Replace your existing batteries, ensuring that all of your chargers are Lithium compatible and that your battery has a built in BMS (all of ours do). You may also need to add a bus bar if you battery has M10 posts on the top and all of your cables are M8, that’s easier than changing all of the cables over.
Conclusion
With Victron Energy's range of products, you can create a top-end reliable and efficient electrical system for your campervan, whether you need a simple 12V setup or a fully off-grid solution for running induction hobs and air fryers. By understanding the use of Orion-Tr Smart DC-DC Chargers, Blue Smart Chargers, Multiplus Inverter/Chargers, SmartSolar MPPT Controllers, and Victron Rigid Solar Panels, you can make informed decisions that suit your needs and budget.
Remember, Rayne Automotive is here to assist you with high-quality products and expert advice. Check out our selection of Victron products to get started on your campervan conversion today!
