New and Just got my first van!

[SwimSoCal]

I bought my van today..got worked by the dealership and kinda had to roll with the punches being this van was the only one locally in my budget. Anyways, I love it and Im stoked to start my build out!

I got a 2016 Ford Transit High Roof. I live in San Diego and other than trips to climb in the mountains I stay in a reletively mild climate. I went with some very moderate insulation and put in R-13.
I have put in the walls and still have the roof, floor and doors to do.


I am just looking for some support and recommendation through this process. I have the funds to get the project done ASAP but I do not feel rushed to half ass it.

My main concerns:
Electrical/Solar... I know not a damn thing about electrical. Amps, watts, volts...wtf is all this. I have a basic understanding of the stuff I need but I am very afraid of wasting money on this part of the build...please recommend anything that you found helpful. Anyone local in San Diego that would liek to help me out, that would be stellar too!

A lesser concern is design. I am curious what others have found to work and not work as they did a build. I am keeping it pretty simple but a couple things I know I want in my van and feel I have plenty of room for is a small fridge, microwave, compost toilet, sink and possibly a small 20"flat screen.

Thanks!

 

[Vansition]

I do not have a van yet but have been looking a lot into the solar panel stuff myself, as that and the electrical wiring is what scares me the most about starting my van conversion. I have watched numerous videos on youtube and one video i cant find at the moment reccomended this site https://www.renogy.com/calculators/ for solar calculations. You can see how many or how big of panels you need along with the battery size etc.

I will keep looking for the other video i originally saw. the guy explained how to see how much amps or power you'll use. there is supposedly a label on each item labeled "output" and that is how you tell how many amps youll need. you add all the output amps together and thats what you plan for with the battery and panels

 

[Vansition]

I will keep looking for the other video i originally saw.  the guy explained how to see how much amps or power you'll use.  there is supposedly a label on each item labeled "output" and that is how you tell how many amps youll need. you add all the output amps together and thats what you plan for with the battery and panels

Here it is: 

It is simple enough to help a beginner like me with no in-depth background in electronics understand.

 

[Almost There]

Welcome to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

There's lot of help to be had to understand electricity here on the forum. You're not alone in going WTF is this believe me! Perhaps the best thing you can do is plan to head for the RTR in January in Quartzite. We do a lot of information seminars including some on solar. There's also lots of hands on help to be had and a couple of really good suppliers of all the things you need right there. Or just head for Jamie's Build It Out party right now near Havasu!

 

[highdesertranger]

welcome swim I am just north of you in the OC. if time permits I could lend you a hand. if not the build party or RTR are great options. highdesertranger

 

[jimindenver]

Welcome to the forum.

It's easiest to work your way backwards with solar and batteries, say I want and learn how to build it. There are limits to space and budget so you may have to find a balance.

 

[sephson]

I'm another So Cal local, though I'm not a full timer, still living in a stick and brick, but I travel and vacation in my car. Like highdesertranger, I'm also in Orange County, about 60 or so miles north of you. Welcome to the forums! You'll find that with very few exceptions this is a helpful and welcoming group.

 

[akrvbob]

If you want to do it right, to run a microwave you need

400-500 watts of solar -- $500-$750
Good MPPT controller -- $550
4 golf cart batteries -- $550 for flooded lead acid or $1200 for AGM
2000 watt pure sine inverter -- $500

If you are willing to do without the microwave you can cut that in much more than half.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard and Bob beat me to saying you can do a lot more with a portable propane/gas stove.
That microwave will cost you in amount of solar panels and batteries needed big time $$$!
I have had microwaves in my rigs and it was used mostly as a storage cabinet for BREAD ! !

Ask all the questions you want and spend some time looking through the library of posts indexed on the main page too.

If you can get away head to Havasu and that will get you wrapped up "asap"......or RTR at Quartzsite in Jan .

 

[Solitary Spell]

400-500 watts of solar -- $500-$750
Good MPPT controller -- $550
4 golf cart batteries  --  $550 for flooded lead acid or $1200 for AGM
2000 watt pure sine inverter  -- $500

Yikes! I'd go with the Roadpro oven you recommend Bob, or a regular stove at those prices. Or just take my food into the local 7-11 and nuke away stealthily!!

 

[akrvbob]

Running a microwave is not cheap! However, this is a first class system and will meet all your electrical needs for 10 years or more.

 

[wagoneer]

Don.t get all the hullabaloo about microwaves. What's wrong with fire or raw. Gawdang microwaves things should be banned. still looking for a 50-70 year old yoga trainer by the way.

 

[Solitary Spell]

Don.t get all the hullabaloo about microwaves. What's wrong with fire or raw. Gawdang microwaves things should be banned. still looking for a 50-70 year old yoga trainer by the way.

Wagoneer, you're a hoot.