Once upon a time, in a van not so far away, there was a dream. A dream to turn a humble vehicle into a powerhouse of solar energy, capable of charging our e-MTBs for endless adventures. Imagine if you will, a van that hums with the energy of the sun, a rolling beacon of renewable power. But that’s not all; it also powered our trusty inversion cook stove, brewing up piping hot coffees on those chilly mountain mornings. This is how we turned our van into a solar-charged chariot, ready for thrilling rides and caffeinated fuel-ups.
The Spark of Inspiration
Our adventure started with a simple idea: why not harness the power of the sun to fuel our van life? We wanted to be off-grid, free, and environmentally friendly. So, we rolled up our sleeves and dived into the world of solar power. Our first stop was VanWorks in Fort Collins, where our van was originally equipped with a GoalZero Yeti 1500X setup. It was neat but not quite what we needed. We wanted more. We wanted to go big!
The Solar Symphony
The first act of our solar saga involved a merry band of components, each playing a crucial role in our setup. We started with ACOPOWER HY100-12MB solar panels, four of them, soaking up the sun’s rays like a sponge. But that wasn’t enough; we added a Goal Zero Nomad 100 for that extra oomph on winter days.
Next came the brain of our operation, the Renogy DCC30S charge controller. This little box of tricks not only manages solar power but also juggles power from our alternator. Speaking of which, our 2021 RAM ProMaster’s alternator turned out to be a solar power hero, capable of churning out a whopping 220 amps!
But wait, there’s more! We needed storage for all this power. Enter the SOK 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Batteries, four guardians of energy, ensuring we have power even when the sun decides to play hide and seek.
The Circuit Circus
With great power comes great responsibility, and in our case, great circuit protection. We added a couple of T Tocas circuit breakers, because nobody likes electrical mishaps, especially in a tiny space on wheels.
The Shore Power Sidekick
Sometimes the sun needs a little break, and that’s where our Victron Energy Blue Smart IP65 Charger steps in. It’s like a superhero sidekick, ready to charge our batteries when we’re hooked up to external power.
The Powerhouse Finale
Last but not least, our Renogy Pure Sine Wave Inverter. This is where the magic happens, transforming all that stored energy into usable power for all our gadgets and gizmos.
The Space Puzzle
Fitting all these components into our van was like playing a high-stakes game of Tetris. We had two main areas to work with: a 16″ x 14″ space and a slightly larger 44″ x 8″ area. After much pondering, measuring, and a few “Eureka!” moments, everything found its place.
The Happy Ever After
So, there you have it, the tale of how we turned our van into a solar-powered wonder. It’s been a journey of discovery, innovation, and a whole lot of wiring diagrams. But in the end, we sit under the stars, powered by the sun, living our off-grid dream.
Remember, every van has a story, and this is ours. The road is open, the sun is shining, and adventure awaits!
Boneshakerbike 
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