Uploaded April 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
#vanlife #electrical #vanconversion
DISCLAIMER : We are not electricians. This is just an explanation of how we ran the AC and DC wires within our van!
Alright, so in this video we are going to walk you through the process we took in order to run both AC and DC wires within our van. We'll also show you how to connect your outlets in parallel using your AC wiring. As well as how to connect several lights in parallel to a dimmer switch using your DC wiring.
Now if you're looking for more information regarding 12V DC and 120V AC, here's a video that does a pretty decent job at explaining the difference between the two.
AC/DC : youtube.com/watch?v=vN9aR2wKv0U
If you're unsure of what size and amount of wire you'll be needing for your van, it's good to make a list of all the items you plan on powering, the amps they require, and where they'll be located within your van. Here's a couple links to a wire size chart and calculator that can help you figure out exactly what you'll need.
Wire Size Calculator : wirebarn.com/Wire-Calculator-_ep_41.html
Wire Size Calculator 2 : https://www.explorist.life/wire-sizing-calculator/
Wire Size Chart : bluesea.com/resources/1437
Now we ended up getting 250ft of DC wire and 60ft of AC wire.
14AWG Marine Grade Wire : amzn.to/3Mh26qZ
12AWG Marine Grade Wire : amzn.to/3K3wDah
10/3 Marine Grade Wire : amzn.to/3xzCVf6
You'll need to gather several supplies in order to run and connect both your AC and DC wires.
1/2 Split Loom : amzn.to/3M5Zpbm
3/4 Split Loom : amzn.to/3M7Uery
1" Conduit : tinyurl.com/mr449n4s
Zip Ties : amzn.to/3uMPSAn
Straight Blade : amzn.to/38QZGk9
Wire Stripper : amzn.to/38Y72Tc
Better Wire Stripper : amzn.to/3OhtaYM
Ferrule Crimper : amzn.to/3Mh2ypb
Heat Gun : amzn.to/3McCkUu
Wire Fish Tape : amzn.to/3MaP5in
Heat Shrink Connector Kit : amzn.to/3vsAW9y
Heat Shrink Kit : amzn.to/3M9qs5M
Ferrule Kit : amzn.to/3rAXt2T
Wire Nut Kit : amzn.to/3uQacRk
Once you have your wires ran, it's a good idea to label them so you don't get confused when you start to make your connections.
Label Maker : amzn.to/3OkVTfq
Now you can start connecting things together. We ended up going with outlets that had USB and USB C connections on them.
Outlets : amzn.to/3uPdCUr
If you're curious on the Lights and Switches we have in our van, here's a link.
Lights : amzn.to/3EmqR20
Dimmer Switches : amzn.to/3JRiI6I
When you wire your outlets, make sure to place them in a box.
Outlet Box : amzn.to/3MeODQ7
Now in order to power your outlets and DC appliances, you'll need to connect all of your wiring to a Fuse Panel. We went with a 2 in 1.
Fuse / Breaker Panel : amzn.to/3rxYSr4
Cable Gland Kit :
If you're unsure of what size fuse you need, here's a link to a calculator made by Explorist Life. I highly recommend checking out their website and channel for any of your electrical needs.
Explorist Life : https://www.explorist.life/
Fuse Calculator : https://www.explorist.life/fuse-sizing-calculator/
Fuse Kit : amzn.to/3jMnfNn
20 Amp Breaker : amzn.to/3EjHQ5b
At the end of our video we mention a band we think you should go check out called Durry. Here's a link to their channel.
Durry : youtube.com/c/Durrymusic
If you have any questions make sure to shoot me an email at dogcatmanvan@gmail.com or leave a comment!
You can also support the channel by becoming a Patreon member!
patreon.com/user?u=27667694
Oh yeah, we have some air fresheners available on our shop page here:
dogcatmanvan.myshopify.com
Follow us on instagram @dogcatmanvan
00:00 Intro
02:01 Preplanning Your Layout
3:41 Gathering Supplies and Wire
6:24 Running Conduit and Zip Ties
9:55 Running Wires In Van
11:54 Labeling Wires
12:31 Wiring In Outlets, Lights, and Switches
14:41 Wiring in AC/DC Distribution Panel
15:59 Outro
#vanlife #electrical #vanconversion
DISCLAIMER : We are not electricians. This is just an explanation of how we ran the AC and DC wires within our van!
Alright, so in this video we are going to walk you through the process we took in order to run both AC and DC wires within our van. We'll also show you how to connect your outlets in parallel using your AC wiring. As well as how to connect several lights in parallel to a dimmer switch using your DC wiring.
Now if you're looking for more information regarding 12V DC and 120V AC, here's a video that does a pretty decent job at explaining the difference between the two.
AC/DC : youtube.com/watch?v=vN9aR2wKv0U
If you're unsure of what size and amount of wire you'll be needing for your van, it's good to make a list of all the items you plan on powering, the amps they require, and where they'll be located within your van. Here's a couple links to a wire size chart and calculator that can help you figure out exactly what you'll need.
Wire Size Calculator : wirebarn.com/Wire-Calculator-_ep_41.html
Wire Size Calculator 2 : https://www.explorist.life/wire-sizing-calculator/
Wire Size Chart : bluesea.com/resources/1437
Now we ended up getting 250ft of DC wire and 60ft of AC wire.
14AWG Marine Grade Wire : amzn.to/3Mh26qZ
12AWG Marine Grade Wire : amzn.to/3K3wDah
10/3 Marine Grade Wire : amzn.to/3xzCVf6
You'll need to gather several supplies in order to run and connect both your AC and DC wires.
1/2 Split Loom : amzn.to/3M5Zpbm
3/4 Split Loom : amzn.to/3M7Uery
1" Conduit : tinyurl.com/mr449n4s
Zip Ties : amzn.to/3uMPSAn
Straight Blade : amzn.to/38QZGk9
Wire Stripper : amzn.to/38Y72Tc
Better Wire Stripper : amzn.to/3OhtaYM
Ferrule Crimper : amzn.to/3Mh2ypb
Heat Gun : amzn.to/3McCkUu
Wire Fish Tape : amzn.to/3MaP5in
Heat Shrink Connector Kit : amzn.to/3vsAW9y
Heat Shrink Kit : amzn.to/3M9qs5M
Ferrule Kit : amzn.to/3rAXt2T
Wire Nut Kit : amzn.to/3uQacRk
Once you have your wires ran, it's a good idea to label them so you don't get confused when you start to make your connections.
Label Maker : amzn.to/3OkVTfq
Now you can start connecting things together. We ended up going with outlets that had USB and USB C connections on them.
Outlets : amzn.to/3uPdCUr
If you're curious on the Lights and Switches we have in our van, here's a link.
Lights : amzn.to/3EmqR20
Dimmer Switches : amzn.to/3JRiI6I
When you wire your outlets, make sure to place them in a box.
Outlet Box : amzn.to/3MeODQ7
Now in order to power your outlets and DC appliances, you'll need to connect all of your wiring to a Fuse Panel. We went with a 2 in 1.
Fuse / Breaker Panel : amzn.to/3rxYSr4
Cable Gland Kit :
If you're unsure of what size fuse you need, here's a link to a calculator made by Explorist Life. I highly recommend checking out their website and channel for any of your electrical needs.
Explorist Life : https://www.explorist.life/
Fuse Calculator : https://www.explorist.life/fuse-sizing-calculator/
Fuse Kit : amzn.to/3jMnfNn
20 Amp Breaker : amzn.to/3EjHQ5b
At the end of our video we mention a band we think you should go check out called Durry. Here's a link to their channel.
Durry : youtube.com/c/Durrymusic
If you have any questions make sure to shoot me an email at dogcatmanvan@gmail.com or leave a comment!
You can also support the channel by becoming a Patreon member!
patreon.com/user?u=27667694
Oh yeah, we have some air fresheners available on our shop page here:
dogcatmanvan.myshopify.com
Follow us on instagram @dogcatmanvan
00:00 Intro
02:01 Preplanning Your Layout
3:41 Gathering Supplies and Wire
6:24 Running Conduit and Zip Ties
9:55 Running Wires In Van
11:54 Labeling Wires
12:31 Wiring In Outlets, Lights, and Switches
14:41 Wiring in AC/DC Distribution Panel
15:59 Outro
