Let There be Light

Let There be Light

For the past few months I’ve been slowly learning and, eventually, building the 12 volt electrical system in my van. This system has been a substantial source of stress and anxiety for me, requiring more research than I think I’ve ever done in my entire life. Simply learning what parts and materials to purchase was a massive undertaking on its own and multiple times I considered just hiring someone to complete the electrical system for me. But, for whatever reason—stubbornness, most likely—I didn’t give up. I kept researching, kept learning, kept picking the brains of people in my network, and little by little… it began to sink in.

Within this 12v system are four primary components that all need to work together harmoniously: 

1. A gigantic Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) battery, which is where energy will be stored. 
2. The solar panels on the roof, which will charge the LiFePo4 battery during the day.
3. A DC-DC charger (alternator charger), which will charge the LiFePo4 battery while the van is running.
4. A fuse block, which is what directs power to the various appliances (refrigerator, fans, lights, stove, water pump, etc.). 

Throughout my research and discussions with friends, it was recommended that for each of these four systems I install an ON/OFF switch (or circuit breaker), so that, if I ever needed to for maintenance or emergency reasons, I could cut power to individual segments of the system while leaving the others on. For example, I am able to cut power from my solar system while leaving my alternator charger and fuse block on. And vice versa.

I specifically mention these ON/OFF switches because, throughout the process of building this electrical system, the ON/OFF switches remained in the OFF position to prevent me from getting shocked. Meaning, this entire time I have been assuming that I had done everything correctly and that everything would work as intended, but until I flipped on those switches I wouldn’t know for sure. Up until this point it was all theoretical.

Then came the moment of truth… 

The first thing I did was log onto an app, which allows me to monitor my battery via bluetooth, and confirmed that the battery was, indeed, holding a charge. Small win, but I’ll take it.

Next, while it was sunny out, I decided to test the solar system. I turned the switch to “ON” and checked the app—confirmed: my battery was now being charged by the sun! Success! 

Then I powered on the DC-DC charger, started running the van engine, and once again checked the app—confirmed: my battery was now getting charged from my alternator! Success!

At this point I was giddy. Things were working!

Then came the final test… the fuse block which powers all of my appliances.

At this point you should know that I had yet to insert any fuses into the fuse block, meaning that even though the fuse block itself was receiving power, none of that power was being passed along to the appliances. So, I found the fuse that corresponds to the LED lights in the ceiling, clicked that fuse into place, and, to my utter delight, the van was instantly flooded with light. And I was instantly flooded with emotion. Those lights represented so much more to me than just light—they represented everything I had to learn, do and overcome in order for them to illuminate. 

Invigorated by my success with the lights, I began feverishly plugging the other fuses into place and, as I did, began to hear motors whir and systems beep on as, one by one, the appliances in my van began receiving power for the very first time in their inanimate lives. 

Oh the joy, the happiness, the relief!

After months of stress, self-doubt and catastrophizing, my 12v system was no longer theoretical. It had become a reality. It actually worked!

P.S. It’s funny to admit that, knowing what I know now, a 12v system like this really isn’t that complex. Sure, there’s a lot of moving parts, but at the end of the day none of it was rocket science; it only felt that way because I had no idea what I was doing.

The lesson I continue to learn from this van project is, as long as I remain patient with myself as I learn, and am prepared to get back up every time I get knocked down, that I am capable of simplifying the complicated, overcoming huge challenges and achieving great things.

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

–Arnold Schwarzenegger