Practical guides on solar panel sizing, fuse selection, battery wiring, and wire gauge calculations. Everything you need to design a reliable 12V electrical system for your build.
How to protect your camper or boat electrical system from water damage. IP ratings explained, connector selection, cable gland installation, and corrosion prevention techniques.
Class T fuses (20,000 AIC) are the LiFePO4 gold standard. MRBF terminal fuses (10,000 AIC) cost 5-10x less. Compare specs, cost, install, and when each is acceptable.
Five free online calculators for 12V, 24V, and 48V DC systems: wire gauge, fuse size, battery bank, inverter wattage, and solar array. No signup, metric and imperial, embed-ready.
Your new lithium battery already has built-in protection. So do you really need that extra $80 fuse on top? Plain-English answer for camper, RV, and off-grid builders.
Everything you need to know about DC-DC chargers for camper and boat electrical systems. Why they replaced split-charge relays, how to size them, and installation best practices.
We launched The Busbar, a weekly newsletter covering inverters, BMS firmware, battery cells, and product releases in the DC-power world. Here is what it is, who it is for, and how it fits alongside VoltPlan.
How much solar do you actually need for van life? Real energy budgets for weekenders, full-timers, and digital nomads -- plus tips for maximizing your solar harvest year-round.
Boat shore power wiring diagram with proper inverter/charger placement and galvanic isolation. ABYC-aware layout for safe dockside hookups.
Running solar panels far from the battery bank? Keep the charge controller at the batteries and run high-voltage PV wire the long distance. Here is the math, the rule, and the exceptions.
We installed the Renogy 1000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS on our boat. After a full season, here is why we would not recommend it for marine use and what to use instead.
See a simple 12V RV wiring schematic, then learn the symbols and steps to build your own — for campers, vans, and trailers.
Looking for a 12V wiring diagram creator? Compare approaches from pen and paper to specialised tools, and learn why a purpose-built diagram creator saves time and prevents costly mistakes.
A complete guide to designing a 12V 240V caravan wiring diagram with dual voltage systems, hookup panels, consumer units, and RCD protection. Plan your caravan electrics safely.
See solar panels wired in series, parallel, and series-parallel with 2, 3, and 4-panel diagrams. Voltage, current, and wire gauge for each setup.
Design your RV electrical system in 5 steps: calculate power needs, size batteries, plan charging sources, design distribution, and create a wiring diagram. Covers NEC and ABYC standards.
Build a safe 12V boat wiring diagram with the right battery switch, fuse panel, tinned marine cable, and ABYC-aware component placement. Includes diagram layout and parts guidance.
Calculate the correct wire gauge for any 12V circuit using amps, distance, and voltage drop. Includes AWG to mm2 conversion table and step-by-step sizing method for campers and boats.
Confusing wiring diagrams cause mistakes and frustration. Here's what makes a good camper or boat electrical diagram: clear, consistent, beginner-friendly, and accurate.
Compare series vs parallel solar panels for camper, RV, and boat systems. See the effect on wire size, power loss, MPPT input voltage, and total cable cost with real examples.
LiFePO4 batteries deliver 3,000-15,000 cycles vs 500 for lead-acid, 90% usable capacity, and zero maintenance. Complete comparison with pricing, specs, and sizing advice for 12V systems.
For most 12V setups, wire batteries in parallel (positive to positive, negative to negative) to double capacity at 12V. Includes wiring diagrams, the diagonal method, and cable sizing rules.
Use the 125% rule and our free calculator to size any 12V fuse. Wire-gauge chart from 18 AWG to 4/0, ANL/MIDI/blade fuse picks, and the 7-inch battery placement rule.
Calculate how many solar panels your camper, van, or RV needs. Use the watt-hour sizing formula, compare common system sizes, and match panel wattage to your battery bank.
Starting your first camper electrical project? Don't worry - I'll break down everything you need to know about 12V systems in plain English. No electrical degree required.