Our main trade is boats, but we take on campervan and motorhome projects too, and we hold van work to the same standard as a yacht installation.
A van build and a small cruising boat have a lot in common electrically. Both run a 12-volt leisure system alongside a vehicle or engine battery, both need a safe way to take mains power from a hook-up post, and both depend on getting charge in from an alternator and solar while the vehicle is parked for days. The difference is mostly vibration, space and the fact that a van leaves the drive every weekend.
Whether you want the whole system designed and fitted, or you are building the van yourself and want a second pair of eyes before anything is switched on, we can help. Everything starts with a assessment and a written, itemised quote, so you know exactly what is included before any work begins.
The first conversation is about habits, not hardware. A van used for long weekends on sites with hook-up needs a very different setup from one that spends a fortnight off grid with a compressor fridge, laptop charging and a diesel heater running overnight. We work out a daily energy budget from the kit you plan to run, then size the battery bank, charging sources and cabling to suit.
That budget drives every later choice. Undersized cable, a battery bank that cannot cover two cloudy days, or a charger that fights the solar controller are the faults we see most often in self-built vans, and nearly all of them trace back to skipping this stage.
Traditional lead-acid and AGM leisure batteries still suit some builds, particularly where the budget is tight and use is light. For most full-time or off-grid vans, LiFePO4 lithium makes more sense: far more usable capacity for the weight, a flat voltage curve that keeps inverters happy, and a long cycle life. We supply and fit Fogstar LiFePO4 batteries, and we are equally happy to fit a battery you have bought yourself once we have checked it is suitable.
Lithium changes the charging side too. Alternators, chargers and solar controllers all need the right profile, and the battery management system has to be able to disconnect safely without leaving the van dark.
Modern vehicle alternators are often smart or variable, which means simply linking the starter and leisure batteries no longer charges properly. A DC-DC charger protects the vehicle battery and delivers a correct lithium or lead-acid profile to the leisure bank while you drive.
Roof solar keeps the bank topped up when parked. We size panels and the MPPT controller together so the controller is not the bottleneck. For sites with electric hook-up, the mains side needs an inlet, RCD protection and a proper consumer unit before feeding a charger or sockets. This is the part of any van build where DIY errors become a genuine shock or fire risk, so we always recommend it is fitted or checked by a qualified electrician.
Plenty of owners enjoy doing the wiring themselves. If that is you, we can review your plan before you buy parts, or inspect the finished installation before first use. We look at cable sizing and fusing close to every battery, earthing and bonding of the mains side, how cables are secured against vibration, and whether the charging devices are configured for the battery chemistry you chose. You receive a clear list of anything that needs putting right.
Marine work is our primary focus, but we do take on campervan and motorhome projects and apply the same standards to them.
Yes. We can review a DIY design before you buy parts or inspect a finished build, then give you a written list of anything that needs attention.
Yes. We are happy to install Victron, Fogstar or other equipment you have sourced, after inspecting it to make sure it suits the installation.
Tell us about the van and how you use it. We will arrange a assessment and send a written, itemised quote.