Shane from The Van Conversion

24/04/2023

The results of The Van Conversion Community Study so far.

Thank you to all 150 of you who participated, the results are really interesting!

The survey is still ongoing - I’m hoping to get a lot more people involved and increase the sample size. PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY HERE: https://us11.list-manage.com/survey?u=936a02d1c19f3b8c69e5a381e&id=88de20d426&attribution=false&fbclid=IwAR3uSmGKfJys8TIUQdfcg3-0Zt2o6fI-1EjZyZeR61MVBsvZWB5Wx33dFp0

You service is greatly appreciated 🫡 I will share the final results here when the study is complete.

some stats so far:
• Most people own 7-8 year old vans
• The mean cost to convert a van is €8500
• The median cost of the base vehicle is €9000
• 42% of people are now using lithium batteries! 40% are using a B2B charger... that 2% needs to do their homework 😉
• Recycled plastic is the most popular insulation, followed by polyiso board
• Most people install a fixed bed
• 72% of heaters are diesel/petrol heaters
• 47% of people with a water system have a full diaphragm pump system

Again, we would really appreciate you taking part in the survey of our community 🙂 Thank you.

05/12/2022

Travelling around cold & soggy Ireland with my campervan made me realise how important a hot shower can be!

So, I wanted to go in-depth on just the shower portion of a van conversion. Below is a detailed diagram on how to build the whole system.

Hopefully it is helpful!

If you want to learn how to build a campervan shower / get some shower ideas, you can check out the accompanying guide: https://www.thevanconversion.com/post/campervan-showers

21/11/2022

This is the system I consider to be one of the best campervan gas installations!

It contains:
• 11kg refillable gas bottle
• Wireless Level gauge
• Solenoid valve
• Refill inlet
• Bulkhead regulator
• Gas heater, fridge, oven, and water heater

I put together an in-depth guide to accompany the diagram; it covers regulations & safety, gas bottles gas lockers, and the installation of the Gaslow system.
You can check it out here :) https://www.thevanconversion.com/post/campervan-gas-installation

20/10/2022

💦 The Ultimate Guide to Campervan Water Systems 🚿

New van conversion guide just published!! 📖

In this guide you will find:

a) 5 plumbing diagrams 🗺️ ranging in complexity from the absurdly simple to… the one above.

b) The complete list of plumbing supplies 🛠️ you will need.

c) In-depth installation instructions 📑.

d) Detailed explanations on the key components of a campervan water system including:

• Fresh water tank
• Grey water tank
• Water pump system
• Sink and faucet
• Water heater
• Shower
• Water piping
• Pipe fittings
• Water level gauge
• Water filtration
• Pipe insulation / heating
• Water tank sanitisation and smell management

Campervan plumbing is possibly the funnest part of the entire build - it reminded me of being a kid playing with LEGO.

Read the guide here:

The one-stop-shop for Campervan Water Systems and Campervan plumbing diagrams. Hot & cold water, showers, faucets, pumps, waste water, etc.

02/10/2022

Learn how to wire LED puck lights, LED strip lights, and LED lamps to a switch and 12v battery!

Today's chapter 👇

In this guide you will learn how to wire LED lights to a switch. You will also learn about wiring led lights to a 12v battery.

30/09/2022

ON-OFF. How hard can switches be, right...? Well, I remember being completely baffled when I wired my first switch panel. 🤯
Unfortunately 12v switch panels can be a little hard to get your head around...

So I wrote a guide on switch panels (a riveting topic, I know 🤣). Learn how to wire a fuse box to a 5 pin switch panel with USB outlets and battery monitors. 👇👇

Learn how to wire a campervan switch panel! We will examine some 12v switch panel wiring diagrams, as well as how to wire a rocker switch to a fuse box. From 2 pins to 5 pins

17/09/2022

The first snows fell in last night. ❄️ Campervan-Buddha is very content indeed. 🧘‍♂️

Not long until we can get the skis on and head into the backcountry? 🎿 Can't wait!

No pushing, no pulling, no rushing.
Just presense, compassion, and peace.
Every day as it comes in Chamonix. 🇫🇷

15/09/2022

Today's book chapter done ✅
Everything you need to know about fuses and circuit breakers!

• Supply list
• What is a fuse and why do you need them?
• What is the difference between a fuse and a circuit breaker?
• What is the difference between AC and DC fuses / breakers?
• Fuse performance: Terminology and ratings
• Circuit breaker performance: Terminology and ratings
• How to choose the correct fuse / circuit breaker for a DC circuit
• Fuse boxes
• Distribution panels

Shane ✌️

Everything you need to know about fuses and circuit breakers for campervans. Learn the differences between fusing AC and DC systems, how to size your wires and fuses, how to choose the right fuse type, and how to wire up a fuse box or distribution panel.

14/09/2022

Today I went MEGA deep on wires for campervans ⚡ 🔌

• What are the different types of wires?
• How do you size wires?
• How do you connect wires together?
• How do you crimp, solder, and heat shrink?
• What tools and materials do I need to wire my campervan?

Check it out the next chapter of the book 👇

What are the different types of wires? How do you size wires? How do you connect wires together? How do you crimp, solder, and heat shrink? This information-packed guide will give you everything you need to know about how to wire up your campervan electrics.

13/09/2022

Finished a big chapter of the book yesterday folks: Solar Panels! 🥳 I was looking forward to sticking my teeth into this one!

Give it a read If you're interested in learning more about solar power for van conversions!

• Learn all about Solar Panels and Solar Charge controllers 🌞
• How long does it take to charge your batteries with the panels? 🔋
• An illustrated guide to installing solar panels on your van (start-to finish) 🗺️

This is the complete guide to solar for your van conversion. Learn how to install solar panels on your campervan.

24/08/2022

Van conversion electrics are simultaneously the funnest and most daunting part of the entire build process. 🙀

So I thought I’d share the electrical system I used in my own campervan conversion to help folks out! ⚡

Here’s an overview of the system:

• 260aH leisure batteries 🔋
• 400w solar power (4X100w panels) ☀️
• Shore power 🔌
• split charge relay 💨

I wrote a start-to-finish guide 👇👇 running through the wiring diagram of my own van; delving right down into the nitty gritty (including wire sizes, fuses, brands, etc.).

If you are working on your van electrics currently, this should help you out big time 🙂

https://www.thevanconversion.com/post/this-is-the-best-electrical-system-for-a-van-conversion-complete-overview

On a side note, I’m currently writing a book on Van Conversions! 📖 I post the chapters for free on the website ever few days.
You can also follow along with my progress by joining The Van Conversion Newsletter ✌️

✌️&❤️,
Shane

In this article, I will supply you with a wiring diagram that we will explore in depth. By the end you will have a thorough understanding and overview of the van conversion electrical system and be ready for your own electrical installation!

19/08/2022

For those who don't know, I'm currently writing a book on Van Conversions! I've scarcely been more excited for a project in my life. 🖋️ 📖 🚐

Section 2 of 8 is now complete (25% of the book)! Planning and Preparation are finito. ✅

You can follow along with my progress by joining The Van Conversion Newsletter 🗞️ I'll send you chapters as I write them and send special deals your way!

Join the Newsletter 👉👉https://www.thevanconversion.com/newsletter

Take it easy,
✌️ & ❤️,
Shane

Join The Van Conversion Newsletter! • Get a free van conversion electrical wiring diagram! • Plus, every now and then I send out juicy van-related content; build guides, resources, videos, and inspiration.