10 Essential Products for your Campervan Conversion

Camper Conversion Check List

It can be difficult deciding on just where to start with your conversion project and with many different van types (Sprinter, Vito, Transit & more), what exactly do you need?

Below you will find 10 products we feel are essential to any camper conversion that will help get you started :

1 - Cable

The holy grail of 12 volt systems and the most essential out of all the products listed here today, cable is vital to any conversion as it will allow you to take power from your battery to your appliances. You probably have questions such as, 'How do I know what cable to use?' and, 'Can I buy just one size and run it around the whole van?'. Well, we have a whole cable help guide to walk you through choosing your cable and it explains why is it so important to get it right.

2 - Fuseboxes

Fuseboxes are a must-have because fusing is vital to protect your cable from problems which may lead to a fire. Whether it be a fusebox with multiple fusing points or a simple inline fuse, there are various options available to make sure your cable is protected and your system is safe. You can read more about why fuses are so vital in our Fusing Guide.

3 - LED Lights 

This one seems obvious really, but that's why it makes the list. LED lights are critical if you want to see in your van when the sun goes down. Available in a wide range of types and designs, it is worth taking your time and picking one that will suit the style of your van build and produce the right amount of light for your needs. 

4 - Leisure Battery      

Your leisure battery is the heart of your system. Depending on your energy requirements you may need a large battery (or more than one) or you may be able to get away with a smaller one. With AGM batteries you will get a nice cheaper reliable battery to last a few years and newer lithium batteries can provide less weight being put into your van, greater usable energy & more life so it can be a tough item to buy. We've written a brief article comparing lithium & AGM batteries which may help you when making your choice. 

5 - USB/12V Power Sockets 

These days a lot of us would be lost without our phones so USB chargers are essential to help you keep them topped up, and they can be powered directly from a 12V battery source meaning there is little power loss. 12V power sockets are also a useful addition as some portable appliances such as cool boxes or air pumps (for that comfy air mattress) can be conveniently plugged in.

6 - Cable Protection 

Cable protection is not always technically required but it can be of huge benefit. Not only will it help with routing cable and creating a neat wiring harness rather than having cable dangling everywhere, but it will protect your cable from damage caused by abrasion. Certain types of protection can also help prevent moisture ingress and the onset of corrosion.

7 - Crimping Tool

During your conversion, you will be making a lot of wiring connections so it is important to get the right crimping tool for the job. If you're only using one type of connector then you may be able to make do with a single tool, but the likelihood is that if your project is of any significant size then you will be making a lot of different connections and need a few different tools. We have a great all-in-one crimping tool with detachable dies, making it very versatile and perfect for newcomers to 12 Volt electrics.

8 - Mains Battery Charger

Now you might not have planned to install mains power in your vehicle, but we would still recommend buying a good quality mains charger. The reason for this is that your van may not be used every day and may sit in storage for long periods (typically over winter). Your batteries will self-discharge over time, so to prevent them running low and becoming damaged you'll need some form of 'maintenance' charging. Since the vehicle is laid-up and the alternator is not providing any charge, you'll need an alternative charging source to keep your batteries in good condition, and this can be achieved by connecting a good quality mains charger which will keep the battery topped up during this non-use period. We cover this more in-depth in our Mains battery charging guide if you would like to read more. 

9 - Alternator Charging System

Split charge system, DC-DC charger or even just split charge relay all are terms to describe a type of alternator charging system. These systems will allow your leisure battery to be topped up by sharing the alternator charge with the starter battery. This means that when you do reach your destination your battery will have received a good charge and you can be off-grid for longer. You can learn more about the split charging options in our split charging guide.

10 - Battery Monitors

Acting as fuel gauges for your battery, a battery monitor or is very important for van life. You can technically do without one but it makes life so much easier being able to see how much power you are using, how much you have left and allows you to manage your power usage better and act quickly to avoid a flat battery. For this reason, we highly recommend installing one in your campervan. To learn more we have a whole battery monitoring guide. 

We hope you have found this help as you start you new project, If you enjoyed this you may also like our Campervan Conversion Electrical Checklist which can help you determine what other electrical items you may need.