Essential Tips for Rough Wiring in Your Van Build
Hey everyone, Blake here! When it comes to rough wiring your van, getting it right the first time can save you a ton of headaches down the road. Today, I’m walking you through the three most important things to know and do when wiring your van to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability.
1. Use the Proper Gauge Wire
One of the most critical aspects of wiring your van is selecting the right gauge wire for each application. Under gauging your wire is a surefire way to create problems, including:
Overheating wires
Blown fuses
Melted insulation
Potential fire hazards
To avoid these risks, always check the electrical requirements of your appliances and use appropriately sized wire. When in doubt, go a little heavier than you think you need—better safe than sorry!
2. Protect Your Wiring
Once you've chosen the correct gauge wire, the next step is ensuring it’s well-protected. Here are three key ways to do that:
Use Marine-Grade Stranded Wire: This type of wire has a tough, durable jacket that holds up well to vibrations and movement in a van.
Add Wire Loom: Even though it’s plastic, a good wire loom can provide significant protection against abrasion and impact.
Cover Sharp Edges with U-Channel: Whether from the factory or modifications like a window install, vans often have sharp edges that can cut into wires. U-channel trim is an easy and effective solution—if you’ve got leftovers from a window install, put them to good use!
3. Test Your Circuits Before Finishing
Before you start closing up your walls, take the time to test every circuit. This means:
Hooking up a battery
Connecting your switches
Running through all your lights and appliances
There’s nothing worse than finishing your build, only to realize something isn’t working—and now it’s buried behind your walls! A simple test run before finalizing your wiring can save you from having to rip things apart later.
By following these three key steps—using the right gauge wire, protecting your wiring, and thoroughly testing your circuits—you’ll set yourself up for a safe and hassle-free van electrical system. Happy building!