Where to put electircs in u shaped furniture

[Nukeproof@36]

Hello I'm in the process of converting a t6 and am looking for some suggestion on where to place the electrics. I am going for a u shaped interior and my plan was to put the electrics either in the cupboard of the unit or under the seats by the wheel arch. I'm not overly keen on placing everything under the front seat, but if that's the best option then I'll probably change my plans. So does anyone with a u shape have any suggestions or pics if where they have placed their electrics?

Thanks james

 

[CJW]

I have a U-shaped layout. I put the battery, dc-dc charger, big fuses under the drivers seat with a hefty cable to the sub-distribution, control and monitoring, which is behind the upper panel between the last two pillars. Works very well. Never need to faff under the driver’s seat. It’s below the switch panel and monitors on the left in the image.

 

[Nukeproof@36]

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like what I'm looking for

 

[BenT5]

In the same boat, any updates or more thoughts ?

 

[NGB156]

In the same boat, any updates or more thoughts ?

I’m also debating where to put everything in my u-shaped set-up which I’m currently installing. My battery (200Ah Lithium) plus DC-DC charger will be too big to fit under drivers seat.. I’m thinking to put battery in front of drivers side rear wheel arch and to create a separate ‘zone’ in front of that (same height at kitchen unit) that can be access from side for the other bits..
Is there anything fundamentally wrong with doing that?

 

[BenT5]

Sounds like good plan. I've the same 200Ah big monster battery, inverter, dc/dc etc and have been in the van measuring where to fit everything. I think I can fit a 400mm unit for the fridge and another 400mm unit beside that for the sink and water containers etc in the usual position behind drivers seat. This will allow me to make an equal length U shape lounge (LWB) and use the first section of the U on that side for the electrics. Access will be easy with a lift up lid/top. Should be able to make use of the 3 internal sides of the U and a partition to mount things on. My only issue was running a long cable from the starter battery to the DC/DC charger but Victron say a 16mm2 cable of this length or even quite a bit longer is no problem.

 

[NGB156]

Sounds like you are going through the same journey as me! .. I need to look again at my wiring plan when I get home but I think I had a 25mm cable in mind from the starter battery, but will need to do a final calc once I’ve decided where everything is going!
In terms of layout I’ve got this in mind - the red zone will be a separate compartment open at the bottom where the battery sits and with a side access door where fuses and EHU consumer unit etc will be…

 

[BenT5]

Sounds like you are going through the same journey as me! .. I need to look again at my wiring plan when I get home but I think I had a 25mm cable in mind from the starter battery, but will need to do a final calc once I’ve decided where everything is going!
In terms of layout I’ve got this in mind - the red zone will be a separate compartment open at the bottom where the battery sits and with a side access door where fuses and EHU consumer unit etc will be… View attachment 265750

Yes similar alright. The issue with using 25mm cable with a Victron 30A DC/DC charger is that it wont physically fit in the terminals but 16mm is what they recommend over that length. My layout will be like yours but without the red box, everything will be where your battery is. I really want to have an equal length and maybe width U shape layout.

 

[NGB156]

Ah ok .. I’m guessing your van is LWB? Mines a SWB so don’t really have length for equal u-shape.. Good luck with the build

 

[BenT5]

Ah ok .. I’m guessing your van is LWB? Mines a SWB so don’t really have length for equal u-shape.. Good luck with the build

You too

 

[willster64]

@BenT5, @NGB156, @Nukeproof@36, I realise it's a year on, but wondered whether any of you'd finished your builds and what layout you ended up with. I'm planning a U-shaped setup and plan to put battery (105Ah), main fuses, DC-DC battery monitor and isolator under the driver's seat, then mains hookup via stealth flap above right rear bumper with mains CU, battery charger and solar charge controller somewhere in the right hand side units, and finally the smaller fuses along with water pump, USB sockets etc in/near the kitchen pod. Would be interested in any thoughts/photos.

 

[BenT5]

Yep finished it back in the spring, went to plan and all good. Everything in the space under the seat beside the kitchen pod, the vents are a giveaway !

 

[willster64]

Thanks @BenT5 , looks great. Which furniture did you install, trying to work it out from the pics?

 

[BenT5]

Thanks @BenT5 , looks great. Which furniture did you install, trying to work it out from the pics?

That's all my own DIY, got 2 sheets of Morland glossy lightweight ply and 2 sheets of regular lightweight.