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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hello…..
I am ready to start the wiring for my van and need some advice.

I have a Goal Zero with a DC to DC charger.
I plan to run Ceiling lights, Dommetic Refreg, Ceiling Fan. No water or stoves system to worry about.

I have very little experience with electrical but good with carpentry and can follow good direction.

Any advice on what I need and how to do this electrical system in detail?

Thanks,
Mark
 

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I think this same (or nearly same) question has been asked a couple times recently. Worth a search for Goal Zero or Bluetti or "solar generator" to see if any of them are useful to you.

The three things you mention are all 12VDC, typically.
1- Install a fuse panel with enough outputs for your usage.
2- Connect the fuse panel to the GZ with adequate cable and a fuse on the GZ end of that cable.
3- Connect the various loads to appropriately sized cables and fuses in the fuse panel.

Here's an example of a fuse panel:
White Automotive lighting Electrical wiring Gas Electronic component
 

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Hello…..
I am ready to start the wiring for my van and need some advice.

I have a Goal Zero with a DC to DC charger.
I plan to run Ceiling lights, Dommetic Refreg, Ceiling Fan. No water or stoves system to worry about.

I have very little experience with electrical but good with carpentry and can follow good direction.

Any advice on what I need and how to do this electrical system in detail?

Thanks,
Mark
Think hard about your expected needs and placements. The generators have everything set up so you can also just use regular extension cords or to a full on as complicated/integrated as you want system. The solar panels are plug and play as are 12 and 120 volt plugs. I put my Bluetti behind the passenger side wheelwell because there is a stock 12v outlet to charge it there.
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Think hard about your expected needs and placements. View attachment 165607
Just some off-the-cuff comments…and trying to assume you know nothing…so please don’t be insulted, but maybe you’ll fall asleep. I’ve seen some people who took short cuts get burned (not literally, but their power ran out in the middle of the night). That said, I’m not a total expert either.

I assume there are several models of Goal Zero with different wattage ratings, and probably different battery chemistries. You might tell us which model, and if Lithium or AGM (or other) battery chemistry (which I assume the model # will tell us). Is the DC -DC charger built in? I assume so, but, if not, what is it?

Watch a youtube or 2 (or 10) on basic solar system, or find a blog dedicated to this (yes, solar). In any diagrams you see, you can replace the solar charge controller and batteries with your goal zero, but chances are greater than zero (pun intended) you will someday want to add solar.

Most vids or blogs will start with rule #1: do an energy audit (as I quoted): how much do all your planned loads draw? Add some cushion for temperature variations (for instance, my fridge claims 360 watts / day…. At 70f ambient. Well, I’m sure it’s drawing much more on hot days…maybe upwards to 480w…40amp)

I assume you know Watts = volts x amps, and volts = amps resistance (V = I x R), but if, not, you might consider this math as you size this thing.

Google: Blue Sea Wire Size Wizard to calculate wire size to various loads. Use round trip lengths (eg, LED lights can be pretty thin, but thicker doesn’t hurt (except price and stiffness). The fridge will benefit from AT LEAST AWG10 unless very close to the battery (or goal zero). Especially with thin wire, run your wires in a conduit (plastic split wire loom), but thick wires too can be damaged and short things out. Fan: same, AWG10 if you plan to run on high, AWG12 minimum (??). Inbound charge wires can also be important, to not choke down the voltage getting through. The wizard defaults to 3% voltage drop, but for higher loads (like the fridge), less voltage drop can mean battery lasts a bit longer or charges faster, etc.

I would run wires from these loads to a fuse block (Blue Sea makes good ones…a 6-fuse block might give you some growth capability, even if you use only 3 fuses initially). Then, you can run a short thicker wire pair from your goal zero to the fuse block…1 positive, 1 negative. If you plan to keep the goal zero “portable” then you would have only this one pair and the pair to the charger (or cigarette lighter??) to disconnect/reconnect. There are handy Anderson connectors that can make this simple if not cigarette lighter. Speaking of which, tying the charge input to your CCP (caveat, this works great on my 2015, but some really new vans may have limitations or switching to the CCP I am unaware of) or direct to the battery might provide a better charge capability.

Someone beat me to it, but the fuse block pictured above is an example of the Blue Sea products. The 6 fuse block would be a little smaller. The “clear” cover is nice to protect, and adds a place to label.


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Just some off-the-cuff comments…and trying to assume you know nothing…so please don’t be insulted, but maybe you’ll fall asleep. I’ve seen some people who took short cuts get burned (not literally, but their power ran out in the middle of the night). That said, I’m not a total expert either.

I assume there are several models of Goal Zero with different wattage ratings, and probably different battery chemistries. You might tell us which model, and if Lithium or AGM (or other) battery chemistry (which I assume the model # will tell us). Is the DC -DC charger built in? I assume so, but, if not, what is it?

Watch a youtube or 2 (or 10) on basic solar system, or find a blog dedicated to this (yes, solar). In any diagrams you see, you can replace the solar charge controller and batteries with your goal zero, but chances are greater than zero (pun intended) you will someday want to add solar.

Most vids or blogs will start with rule #1: do an energy audit (as I quoted): how much do all your planned loads draw? Add some cushion for temperature variations (for instance, my fridge claims 360 watts / day…. At 70f ambient. Well, I’m sure it’s drawing much more on hot days…maybe upwards to 480w…40amp)

I assume you know Watts = volts x amps, and volts = amps resistance (V = I x R), but if, not, you might consider this math as you size this thing.

Google: Blue Sea Wire Size Wizard to calculate wire size to various loads. Use round trip lengths (eg, LED lights can be pretty thin, but thicker doesn’t hurt (except price and stiffness). The fridge will benefit from AT LEAST AWG10 unless very close to the battery (or goal zero). Especially with thin wire, run your wires in a conduit (plastic split wire loom), but thick wires too can be damaged and short things out. Fan: same, AWG10 if you plan to run on high, AWG12 minimum (??). Inbound charge wires can also be important, to not choke down the voltage getting through. The wizard defaults to 3% voltage drop, but for higher loads (like the fridge), less voltage drop can mean battery lasts a bit longer or charges faster, etc.

I would run wires from these loads to a fuse block (Blue Sea makes good ones…a 6-fuse block might give you some growth capability, even if you use only 3 fuses initially). Then, you can run a short thicker wire pair from your goal zero to the fuse block…1 positive, 1 negative. If you plan to keep the goal zero “portable” then you would have only this one pair and the pair to the charger (or cigarette lighter??) to disconnect/reconnect. There are handy Anderson connectors that can make this simple if not cigarette lighter. Speaking of which, tying the charge input to your CCP (caveat, this works great on my 2015, but some really new vans may have limitations or switching to the CCP I am unaware of) or direct to the battery might provide a better charge capability.

Someone beat me to it, but the fuse block pictured above is an example of the Blue Sea products. The 6 fuse block would be a little smaller. The “clear” cover is nice to protect, and adds a place to label.


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Mine is actually a Bluetti EB55, but think you have me confused with the first poster.
The output/inputs are built in with most generators. Most people buy them to simplify the power. I am an electrician by trade and prefer simple and changeable.


We do agree on the 10 gauge, low volts needs fat gauges for voltage drop and you need to protect your wires. I ran mine in sprinkler tubing ;). But you can buy plug in ends to attach wires to the generator, as I did with the 10 gauge to my panel and the van's stock 12volt socket shown in the pic on Inpfor. My Bluetti has two input sockets, so I also run the 110v Bluetti charger off the stock 110 inverter that came with the Adventure Package or shore power by simply plugging them in.
The 110v output is basically a 14 gauge extension cord that can plug into Bluetti or the shore powers Y ( pictured next to the Bluetti) for my 110v needs.
Plug and play is the point of the generators.
 

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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
I think this same (or nearly same) question has been asked a couple times recently. Worth a search for Goal Zero or Bluetti or "solar generator" to see if any of them are useful to you.

The three things you mention are all 12VDC, typically.
1- Install a fuse panel with enough outputs for your usage.
2- Connect the fuse panel to the GZ with adequate cable and a fuse on the GZ end of that cable.
3- Connect the various loads to appropriately sized cables and fuses in the fuse panel.

Here's an example of a fuse panel:
View attachment 165594
Great info. Thanks.
I think this same (or nearly same) question has been asked a couple times recently. Worth a search for Goal Zero or Bluetti or "solar generator" to see if any of them are useful to you.

The three things you mention are all 12VDC, typically.
1- Install a fuse panel with enough outputs for your usage.
2- Connect the fuse panel to the GZ with adequate cable and a fuse on the GZ end of that cable.
3- Connect the various loads to appropriately sized cables and fuses in the fuse panel.

Here's an example of a fuse panel:
View attachment 165594
great info. I created a diagram of what I plan to install.
any suggestions on install and the supplies needed including wire size?
I think this same (or nearly same) question has been asked a couple times recently. Worth a search for Goal Zero or Bluetti or "solar generator" to see if any of them are useful to you.

The three things you mention are all 12VDC, typically.
1- Install a fuse panel with enough outputs for your usage.
2- Connect the fuse panel to the GZ with adequate cable and a fuse on the GZ end of that cable.
3- Connect the various loads to appropriately sized cables and fuses in the fuse panel.

Here's an example of a fuse panel:
View attachment 165594
Thanks… I created a digram and list of items I plan to install. Any help creat the shopping list of items needed including wire gauges and what not?
 

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
Mine is actually a Bluetti EB55, but think you have me confused with the first poster.
The output/inputs are built in with most generators. Most people buy them to simplify the power. I am an electrician by trade and prefer simple and changeable.


We do agree on the 10 gauge, low volts needs fat gauges for voltage drop and you need to protect your wires. I ran mine in sprinkler tubing ;). But you can buy plug in ends to attach wires to the generator, as I did with the 10 gauge to my panel and the van's stock 12volt socket shown in the pic on Inpfor. My Bluetti has two input sockets, so I also run the 110v Bluetti charger off the stock 110 inverter that came with the Adventure Package or shore power by simply plugging them in.
The 110v output is basically a 14 gauge extension cord that can plug into Bluetti or the shore powers Y ( pictured next to the Bluetti) for my 110v needs.
Plug and play is the point of the generators.
Thanks! see below diagram I created.. any input would be appreciated for the shopping list.
 

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Mine is actually a Bluetti EB55, but think you have me confused with the first poster.
The output/inputs are built in with most generators. Most people buy them to simplify the power. I am an electrician by trade and prefer simple and changeable.


We do agree on the 10 gauge, low volts needs fat gauges for voltage drop and you need to protect your wires. I ran mine in sprinkler tubing ;). But you can buy plug in ends to attach wires to the generator, as I did with the 10 gauge to my panel and the van's stock 12volt socket shown in the pic on Inpfor. My Bluetti has two input sockets, so I also run the 110v Bluetti charger off the stock 110 inverter that came with the Adventure Package or shore power by simply plugging them in.
The 110v output is basically a 14 gauge extension cord that can plug into Bluetti or the shore powers Y ( pictured next to the Bluetti) for my 110v needs.
Plug and play is the point of the generators.
I was trying to address OP, but build on points made in your post.

Since then Mah has supplied a sketch of his layout. Very similar to mine. One point on placement: the closer the battery, or Bluetti, or Goal Zero to the biggest loads, or sources, the better. Not sure if he would like having the Goal Zero (etal) next to the fridge, but it would cut down on some wiring. There are trade offs, and I wanted my 200 lb batteries on the passenger side for weight distribution…but that meant long runs for fridge and “upstream” between the DC-DC charger and starter battery (alternator). Trade-offs.

I’m about to rip out a lot of my set up…though painful to “start-from-scratch.” I wish I had been a little more “forward-thinking” 6 yrs ago: considering AGM -> LiFePO, PWM -> MPPT, increased solar capacity, revised wiring, switching & fusing…voltage & amperage concerns. Watching too much YouTube / Will Prowse. $$$ Argh!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

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...
Thanks… I created a digram and list of items I plan to install. Any help creat the shopping list of items needed including wire gauges and what not?
Sure. Move the GZ to the driver's side since that's where the power-source from the van is (off the side of the driver's seat) AND that's where your fridge is. Then just use the 12VDC power cord that comes with the fridge directly into the GZ or pretty much straight off of a fuse-block (it has a built-in fuse, so fuse not technically necessary). Then don't bother with an outlet if you only want one - you'll have it directly in the GZ. Or just run one of these plugged in.

Everything else is pretty low draw and not technically difficult. Put your fuse block on that same driver's side. Run #10 good-quality speaker-wire or SOOW (depending how you want to route it) for the 12VDC outlets in case you pull some power (though #10 isn't enough to run the fridge on a long run - too much voltage drop).

Puck lights, #14 or even #16 or #18 pairs are fine - low power per puck. Pull them back and tie them to each other then into a controller. I like these controllers - you can run multiple controllers with one RF remote (or multiple RF remotes). Or you can run an RGB controller and get three circuits of control for the price of one.

Here's three fuse block alternatives that I have used (only speaking for what I've used):

Also an option to run one of those on the driver's side and another on the passenger side. If you go that route, the smaller ones make plenty of sense.

I'd skip the hard-wired switches and go RF and IR remotes for the fan and the lights. We stick them to the walls with magnets. And then even less need for anything on the passenger side.

Oh... puck lights. These work.
 

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
I think this same (or nearly same) question has been asked a couple times recently. Worth a search for Goal Zero or Bluetti or "solar generator" to see if any of them are useful to you.

The three things you mention are all 12VDC, typically.
1- Install a fuse panel with enough outputs for your usage.
2- Connect the fuse panel to the GZ with adequate cable and a fuse on the GZ end of that cable.
3- Connect the various loads to appropriately sized cables and fuses in the fuse panel.

Here's an example of a fuse panel:
View attachment 165594
Great info. Thanks.
I think this same (or nearly same) question has been asked a couple times recently. Worth a search for Goal Zero or Bluetti or "solar generator" to see if any of them are useful to you.

The three things you mention are all 12VDC, typically.
1- Install a fuse panel with enough outputs for your usage.
2- Connect the fuse panel to the GZ with adequate cable and a fuse on the GZ end of that cable.
3- Connect the various loads to appropriately sized cables and fuses in the fuse panel.

Here's an example of a fuse panel:
View attachment 165594
great info. I created a diagram of
 

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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
All great info.
I bought:
8 puck lights, 12 V, 3W
Blue Sea ST ATO/ATC Fuse Block

What gauge wire should I use to run these in parallel?

ALso any suggestions on a conduit or cover to protect the wire as it runs through behind the walls?

Thanks,
Mark
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
All great info.
I bought:
8 puck lights, 12 V, 3W
Blue Sea ST ATO/ATC Fuse Block

What gauge wire should I use to run these in parallel?

ALso any suggestions on a conduit or cover to protect the wire as it runs through behind the walls?

Thanks,
Mark

Also, what size fuse should I use for these lights?
 

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
Sure. Move the GZ to the driver's side since that's where the power-source from the van is (off the side of the driver's seat) AND that's where your fridge is. Then just use the 12VDC power cord that comes with the fridge directly into the GZ or pretty much straight off of a fuse-block (it has a built-in fuse, so fuse not technically necessary). Then don't bother with an outlet if you only want one - you'll have it directly in the GZ. Or just run one of these plugged in.

Everything else is pretty low draw and not technically difficult. Put your fuse block on that same driver's side. Run #10 good-quality speaker-wire or SOOW (depending how you want to route it) for the 12VDC outlets in case you pull some power (though #10 isn't enough to run the fridge on a long run - too much voltage drop).

Puck lights, #14 or even #16 or #18 pairs are fine - low power per puck. Pull them back and tie them to each other then into a controller. I like these controllers - you can run multiple controllers with one RF remote (or multiple RF remotes). Or you can run an RGB controller and get three circuits of control for the price of one.

Here's three fuse block alternatives that I have used (only speaking for what I've used):

Also an option to run one of those on the driver's side and another on the passenger side. If you go that route, the smaller ones make plenty of sense.

I'd skip the hard-wired switches and go RF and IR remotes for the fan and the lights. We stick them to the walls with magnets. And then even less need for anything on the passenger side.

Oh... puck lights. These work.
All great info.
I bought:
8 puck lights, 12 V, 3W
Blue Sea ST ATO/ATC Fuse Block

What gauge wire should I use to run these in parallel?
What size fuse amp should I use?

ALso any suggestions on a conduit or cover to protect the wire as it runs through behind the walls?

Thanks,
 
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