How To: Wiring a Campervan Inverter
Learn how to wire a Victron campervan inverter in a few simple steps
Suppose you plan to use 230V appliances while off-grid. First, you must install an inverter. Unfortunately, wiring a campervan Inverter can be difficult. Learn here how it’s done.
An Inverter converts your 12V battery supply into 230V, allowing you to power household appliances. This process is the same whether you need 60W to power your laptop charger or 1000W to power your microwave. If you are unsure what size inverter you need, read our blog on what campervan size I need.
We’ll walk through the steps to install and wire an inverter in your campervan so that you can enjoy your 230V appliances while off-grid. What we will cover:
In this example, we will show you how to install a 375W Victron Phenix Inverter. Most inverters will follow the same process, but always check the user manual for the same wire and fuse sizes required for installation.
We also recommend that a professional check all installations at a minimum.
Working with 240V electricity is dangerous and can kill. We always recommend getting a professional to carry out and sign off the electrical installation before use.
To Install an inverter in a campervan, you will need the following parts,
NOTE: The wire and fuse sizes are unique for the 375W Victron Inverter. If installing a larger or smaller inverter, you must use different wire thicknesses and fuse sizes – check the inverter manufacturers’ product manual.
To generate 230V power, we first need to connect the inverter to the 12V battery system. Follow the steps below,
Connecting the inverter to the battery system –
The input of your inverter and battery is now connected. Next, you will connect the inverter output to the consumer unit.
To safely use 230V appliances via a 3-pin socket, it is required that a double pole consumer unit is installed between your inverter and your 230V appliances. The combination of RCD and MCB fuses within the consumer unit is there to protect human life and the circuit.
Install the inverter output to the consumer unit,
Next, we need to connect the socket connections to the MCB to create a fused circuit.
Depending on which consumer unit you opted for you will have either one or two MCB’s.
We recommend the 10Amp MCB being connected to a double socket and the
6Amp MCB being connected to a single socket.
You have connected the inverter input to the battery system and the inverter output to the consumer unit system.
Double-check that you have wired your inverter to match the wiring diagram below.
Now it is time to check your inverter is wired correctly and working:
Congratulations, you have successfully installed and wired your campervan Inverter and are ready to hit the road!
If your inverter system is not working, follow these steps again. If you are stuck, please get in touch. We are always happy to help.
Are you worried about wire and fuse sizes? Want your Campervan Electrical System to be designed by an expert? Look no further. All our Inverter Systems come with all the wires, fuses, consumer units, lugs and heat shrink you need to install in your campervan…
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