Shore power is just the fancy term used to describe plugging your campers electrical system into a 110v plug to either recharge the batteries, or to even power the camper electrical system directly.
Quick note before we get started. This is just one part of an overarching “How to Install a DIY Camper Van Electrical System” series. If you’ve just stumbled on this article directly without seeing that, there are likely some things we’ve already covered. If you want to check out that step by step guide, you can do that here: https://www.explorist.life/diy-campervan-solar
Also, we have interactive solar wiring diagrams that are a complete, A to Z solution for teaching you exactly what parts go where, what size wires to use, fuse size recommendations, wire lug sizes, and all kind of other stuff to help save you time and frustration. You can check that out here: https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams/
I have solar. Why do I need shore power?
Cloudy, rainy weeks happen. Sure, you can charge by the alternator, but if you don’t HAVE to drive around aimlessly to recharge your batteries, you shouldn’t have to.
If you plan on traveling in extreme environments and ever plan on using an air conditioner or electric space heater for climate control, being able to plug in is game-changer. (We use a space heater a LOT in the winter time while parked at campgrounds near ski areas)
Shore power is nice to have when trying to troubleshoot electrical problems and creates another step of redundancy in case one of your other means of charging your batteries fails.
Inverter Chargers
An Inverter Charger will not only invert your 12v battery power to 110v
Battery Charger
You can get a standalone battery charger to charge your batteries and a transfer switch to run devices from shore power, but honestly, it gets more complicated than it’s worth. Add in the fact that an inverter, battery charger, and transfer switch are typically more expensive than an Inverter/Charger combo unit, it rarely makes sense so we will not be covering that here.
Breakers and Fuses
You don’t need a breaker or a fuse on your shore power line because the plug itself will be protected by a breaker.
Surge Protectors
A surge protector can be added to your shore power line, but that’s ultimately up to you the level of safeties you want to have in your system.
Shore Power Amperage
On a campground power pedestal, you’ll typically see 3 options of plugs: 50 amp, 30 amp, and 15 amp.
50 amp is typically for big class A RV’s running two air conditioners at a time.
15 amp is just your standard household circuit and will run a high powered device like a space heater or a small air conditioner, but only 1 high powered device can be run at a time.
Wiring for a 30 amp plug is my choice as you can run, for the most part, whatever you like in a camper van. You can run a space heater and brew a pot of coffee at the same time. Perhaps you are in a cold environment and want to run a space heater on low in the front AND the garage of your camper van. Basically, you’ve got options.
Wiring Shore Power
From the power pedestal, you’ll want to use a shore power cord. It’s a big, heavy gauge extension cord with incredibly durable sheathing specificially designed for this purpose.
That will plug into a shore power socket you’ll install on the exterior of your camper:
From there, you’ll use 10/2 w/ Ground wire to run to your inverter charger.
This is where you will make the connection into your inverter charger. Please follow the instructions in your specific inverter charger you plan on using, but if you plan on using a Victron Multiplus, you’ll be wiring like this.
Most inverter chargers will be wired VERY similarly though, but just check that owner’s manual.
Another thing that’s handy to keep around is a 15 amp to 30 amp adapter. This is handy for if you are charging from a place that doesn’t have a 30 amp plug.
It’s worth noting though, that you’ll only be able to use 15 amps if you are having to use this, so be aware of your power loads. A space heater on high and trying to brew coffee may trip the 15 amp breaker.
Now that you’ve learned how to add charge your house batteries with shore power, let’s learn yet another method to charge your batteries. In the next lesson you’ll learn how to charge your camper van batteries with the alternator. Click that out here: https://www.explorist.life/how-to-charge-diy-camper-van-batteries-with-vehicle-alternator/
Everything that you are learning here is put to use in our FREE Interactive Solar Wiring Diagrams. If you haven’t yet, check them out as they are a complete solution for a camper van electrical system. Check them out here: https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams/
Remember, this is just one part of a full camper van electrical educational series. To see all of the individual guides, click here: https://www.explorist.life/diy-campervan-solar
Finally, If you found this guide helpful, It’d truly mean the world to us if you’d share it with somebody who can use it, pin it to pinterest for later reference, or share it to a facebook group when somebody has a question about this subject. Click the bubble in the lower right corner to subscribe to be notified of future updates and as always, leave any questions you’ve got in the comments below.
59 Responses
Is it possible simply to run a heavy-duty indoor-outdoor 15amp extension cord through the window into your van and plug an appliance directly into that?
I mean, that’s not really ‘shore power’. That’s just ‘running an extension cord to an appliance that happens to be in your vehicle’. This article is more for those seeking a permanent/professional solution to adding shore power to their camper.
Hello. Do you know if alternators can be installed on any van? We have a Nissan NV 2500. If you have an article or link to an article explaining how to do this, that would be even better. Thank you!!
I don’t have any information yet for adding 2nd alternators, but most vans do indeed have the capability to add a 2nd alternator: https://www.nationsstarteralternator.com/Dual-Alternator-Kits-s/209.htm
I am using a Bluetti AC200 and will be charging it mainly by shore power although I have two suitcase 120W solar panels as well. We are mainly warm weather campers and like to travel for 4-6 weeks at a time. We will mainly stay at campsites with power but want the option of boondocking. Our 12V load includes MaxxAire Fan, small Sirocco fan, 2 reading lights, 8 led puck lights, Indel TB51A fridge, 3 USB outlets and a water pump. Our 110V load is 4 outlets for laptops, induction burner and very rarely a space heater. We will only use the heater and induction burner when plugged into shore power. I want to hardwire most items (except fridge,heater and induction burner). I have purchased WFCO AC-DC Distribution Panel and think I understand the 12V side pretty well. I am using 12AWG stranded marine-grade wire to connect all the 12V appliances to the fuse box except for the puck lights where I am using 14AWG. I am planning on using the 12V/25A aviation plug/cord and cut off the ends of the XT60 cord to connect to the DC side of the distribution panel. I’ve installed a shore power inlet Marinco Power Inlet and attached Ancor Marine Grade 10 AWG, Triplex to it. I have a 30amp shore power cord with a 15amp adaptor.
My questions concern how to hook up the Bluetti to shore power and to the AC side of the distribution panel.
According to this article, shore power comes into the van and powers the inverter. The inverter powers the Distribution Panel/Breaker box and the Distribution panel powers the 110V outlets. I don’t have a separate inverter but I am assuming the shore power has to come in and plug into the Bluetti. Then wire the Bluetti to the AC side of the distribution panel. Is that correct?
How do I connect incoming shore power to the Bluetti? Do I connect the 10/3AWG wire to a female plug then simply plug the Bluetti AC charging brick in?
What size and how many breakers do I need? I have 30A shore power coming in and then will have 4 110V outlets (2 for laptops, 1 for space heater, 1 for induction burner) Links to products would be helpful. I am thinking one 20 AMP circuit breaker for the space heater, one 20 AMP circuit breaker for the induction burner and two 15 AMP circuit breakers for the laptops. Is this correct? (I am using 10/3 AWG wire).
I have researched the electrical extensively but these are a few of the questions I have not seen answers to. I want to go the extra mile (and dollar) to ensure safety. I just keep getting muddled! Thanks so much for any assistance!
Honestly, I can’t recommend what you are trying to do. Although possible, the way it would have to be done to work properly gets ver messy very quickly in terms of wire routing and planning (as you are finding out). I would recommend a system with individual components. Even a setup like this would be worlds better than trying to integrate the bluetti into a partially hardwired system: https://www.explorist.life/2000w-520w-60a-budget-friendly-camper-wiring-diagram/
@Nate Yarbrough,
Thank you!
Nate…all that i can say is THANK YOU!!! I am just begining the electrical part of our skoolie and have been doing my homework. Your clear and concise instructions and tutorials are giving me the confidence to accomplish this. NO DOUBT😌. Thanks again✌
What if I planned on using a washer/dryer combo amidst using some other lighting and a pioneer mini split A/C at the same time? Would I still need only a 30amp shower power outlet or 50amp?
We are going to follow and need the 3000W inverter/ 400-600AH / 800-1200Watt solar wiring diagram but I am confused as if a 30amp shore outlet will be enough for the washer/dryer combo.
Are any of those items 240V? If so, you’ll need a system capable of providing 120V/240V split phase. Like these:
https://www.explorist.life/50a-camper-inverter-with-solar-alternator-charging-wiring-diagram/
https://www.explorist.life/24v-6000w-120v-240v-split-phase-camper-solar-wiring-diagram/
Hey Nate! You suggest using 10-gauge for the shore power inlet to charger, but in our case, they’re about 8-10 feet away from each other. So, can you confirm we should go with a 6-gauge cable, as advised in your chart? Or am I missing something?
Thanks!
10 AWG from shore power inlet to inverter/charger is sufficient for 30A shore power for that distance. Distance (voltage drop) is significantly less important for 120V loads. We need to be talking 100+ feet before we have to start taking distance into account in 120v circuits.
Thanks for all your great content! Question. I ended up buying an inverter/charger that has an AC input of 20A, so I am planning to have a 15A shore power plug installed on our van. If we go to an RV site that only has a 30A plug, am I able to use the dogbone adapter cord that you reference to charge up our batteries, or will that pull too much amperage and ruin the inverter/converter? Thanks!
You will have no issues with that. Just use wire that is sized for 20A for your shore power connection (12 AWG or bigger).
Hi Nate, thanks for sharing all your knowledge. I watched a few of your very helpful videos and have been reading all day, but Im still unclear on a few things. In an effort to start with my bus off with shore power and a battery (or two) when theres a night where we cant plug in, Im wondering what kind of set-up to start with. Is it possible to do a shore power system like you showed in the video above, with an inverter charger to charge the batteries and be ready for solar when we’re ready for boondocking, and a B2B to charge the batteries while driving? Is this a good idea? Do I need the inverter charger? Do you have a diagram for this? I would be very happy to purchase anything that will guide me.
Thank you!
Yep! All of my diagrams are shore power ready with inverter/chargers and you can add solar or alternator charging as you see fit. Here are two systems (of different sizes, depending on your needs) you should check out:
https://www.explorist.life/3000w-inverter-400-600ah-400-to-1200w-solar-camper-solar-kit
https://www.explorist.life/2000w-inverter-200-400ah-lithium-200-to-700w-solar-camper-wiring-diagram/
Hi Nate, does the size of the inverter matter when connected to shore power? I’m thinking of getting a 2k watt inverter/charger. I’m going to have an 11k BTU air conditioner and a microwave that I only plan to use when on shore power. Do I need to take those into account when sizing the inverter/charger if only used when on shore power? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!
The inverter, in your case, just needs to have adequate “Passthrough” capability. For example… the Victron Multiplus 2000w & 3000w Inverter/Charger I use in all of my diagrams at https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams has 50A shore power passthrough capability. For an air conditioner and microwave, I’d recommend an air conditioner with 30A (larger is fine too) shore power passthrough.
Hi!
I am looking at only adding 30 amp shore power to connect at RV parks. Will not be using batteries or solar. I’ve seen the NOCO 15 amp power inlets with integrated extension cords, but I am unable to find anything similar for 30 amp. Do you know of a way to achieve 30 amps with a power inlet with extension cords? I want to run basic RV appliances i.e. fridge, microwave, ac. Thank you!!
You should get the inlet and the wire seperately. I have a parts list for that setup under the Shore power to Inverter section here: https://www.explorist.life/3000w-inverter-400-600ah-400-to-1200w-solar-camper-solar-kit
Hi Nate,
Thank you sooo much for posting all this helpful information. I bought your wiring diagram for 300-600Ah Battery Bank – 600w-1200w Solar – 3000w Inverter – DC-DC Charger and have a question on it.
I am going to have 400ah Battleborn Battery bank, 600w- 800w solar and the 300W Victron Inverter/Charger– I am wondering why your diagram goes with the 3000W/12volt inverter/charger vs. the 3000W/24volt inverter charger? Thanks you so much in advance!
There is a 3000w/12v Inverter/charger in this diagram because the batteries are 12v batteries wired in parallel, which means we have a 12v battery bank. A 24v Inverter is not compatible with a 12v battery bank.
There is a mistake in one of your pictures. The outlet displayed on the right hand side of the 50/30/15 outlets is actually a 20A outlet.
Hey Christian! 15A and 20A outlets look the exact same and will vary from campsite to campsite on if they are connected to a 15A breaker or a 20A breaker. The function the exact same though and no additional considerations are needed to be taken other than knowing how much power can be pulled from the outlet. I hope this clears up your confusion!
OH MY GOODNESS! I can not thank you enough for this post. It is absolutely wonderful. This was exactly what I was looking for. You’ve explained this the best out of any other person. So helpful!
Rad! Glad it helped. 🙂
Hey Nate,
I just got the Victron multiplus compact hooked up in my van and I have hooked it up to shore power and the charging light has not come on. I haven’t even discharged my batteries past 94% according to the Victron battery monitor I have as I am still in the process of building out the rest of the van, so I was just wondering. Is the multiplus not charging my batter because I hooked up something wrong or have I just not discharged my batteries enough for the charger to start? Thank you!
Hi Nate! I can’t thank you enough for making this information so digestible. Until now, I had a very hard time wrapping my head around each component of a solar setup. I’ve narrowed down our inverter needs to a 2000W inverter, but we definitely want to include shore power. On the Victron site, there’s quite a few inverter charger options and I’m not sure which is most suitable for our needs!
The inverter and charge controller options are decided with calculations or measurements, what more do I need to figure out to decide on an inverter charger? We’d likely go for a 30A system. Would it just be a 2000VA model? Thank you!
All of my diagrams at https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringidagrams feature inverter chargers that are set up for shore power connections.
Hey Nate, I really wish I had found your site earlier because it would’ve saved me tons of research time. Incredibly valuable info here man! Thank you.
I’m using a Magnum Energy inverter/charger which states in the manual that a max 60amp breaker is required on the inverter’s AC input. But I have a nice electrical box designed and I’d prefer not to throw a small metal panel with a breaker on the side, or shove it in between things. I’m using the WFCO distribution center you recommended for my Ac and DC loads. Is there something similar you know of to handle the shore power breaker? Can I just use a surface-mount thermal breaker next to my others in the box?
Thanks again! And keep up the great work.
There is a breaker inside of the campground power pedestal or inside of the breaker box protecting the wall outlet that your shore power connection is connected to so adding an additional breaker is redundant and unnecessary.
Thanks Nate!
Agreed it’s redundant for most applications, but maybe not when I pull up to uncle Ricky’s shed where I’m less certain about the incoming shore power.
Another concern I have is a possible hot to chassis short energizing the chassis. So I found the Blue Sea ELCI main panel which will mount nicely next to the WFCO sub panel. This will provide some additional safety with the ELCI, give me the breaker that’s usually redundant, and also has a reverse polarity indicator, which is nice.
Ahh…When you say “Breaker”, I think of a standard overcurrent protection breaker and not an ELCI, RCD, GFCI, GFI, Circuit Analyzer, or Surge protector. Glad you found what you are looking for.
Is the 10awg wire big enough to handle the 30 amps coming in from shore?
Sure is!
Hey Nate, Is there an easy way to connect a rooftop A/C unit to shore power without going through an inverter?
I would, personally, just let everything go though the inverter using the passthrough function and if you did not want the air conditioner running off of your batteries, just don’t turn your air conditioner on when you aren’t plugged into shore power. If you are worried about somebody else turning on the air conditioner when not connected to shore power, just turn the air conditioner breaker off. That’s the most simple and cost effective way.
Thanks for the great info. However I am very confused. All references state that a CONVERTER changes 110(120) to 12V and an INVERTER changes 12V to 110(120) for use with ‘plug in’ appliances like Instapot and TV.
This DC Voltage (12V) is sourced either from incoming AC Voltage (110V) that is transformed by the CONVERTER into DC Voltage (12V) or from the DC Voltage (12V) stored in the house batteries. The third part of the converter’s job is to distribute the incoming AC Voltage (110V), through a breaker panel, to the AC Voltage appliances.
An INVERTER uses the existing DC Voltage (12V), transforms it into AC Voltage (110V), and then distributes that AC Voltage to either a single dedicated outlet or through a breaker panel to multiple outlets used by 110V appliances.
So can you please explain why, in this instruction, you are connecting shore power to the INVERTER?
I guess that I answered my own question by re-reading info above. You don’t state it but the “charger” is actually the converter, so the ‘inverter/charger’ actually does both inversion and conversion, yes?
Correct! A converter is really made to run loads directly and a charger is made to charge the batteries which then run the loads. They accomplish the same thing in ALMOST the exact same way.
For this blog post (and all of my wiring diagrams) I use an Inverter/Charger. It’s an all-in-one unit that performs the duties of an inverter (Taking battery power and turning it into 120v AC power (Household Outlet)) AND will charge the battery bank from shore power, which is why the unit is connected to shore power. Also, most Inverter/Chargers have a built in transfer switch that allows for power from shore power to pass through the Inverter/Charger and power devices directly from shore power without using battery power when connected to shore power.
May I assume that the shore power connection (30 amp/15 amp) you have detailed above will also accommodate the safe use of a portable generator?
I don’t expect my van to spend much time in RV parks. And as a Floridian, I won’t go far without air conditioning. Relying strictly on a few hundred watts of solar and a few deep cycle batteries won’t git ‘er done.
Yep! Shore power or a generator would both be plugged in by the same method.
Thanks Nate for the simple to understand explanations. I actually think I understood everything and up to now, I have not been able to. I am buying a new trailer that already has everything, although probably cheap. I simply want to add 400 watts of solar panels to charge batteries. I will probably get Lithium batteries and a Viinctron 100/50 charger and wire in series. I want to use the existing inverter when plugged into shore power. Is there something that i need to do like put a switch in so I don’t use shore power and solar at the same time?
When you plug into shore power and your victron charge controller senses that charge, it will shut down and allow the batteries to charge by shore power only.
Glad to see you guys are still active!
Definitely! I’m SOOO far behind on responding to Youtube comments. lol But yeah… still cranking out the content here on the blog and will be making videos about most of this stuff once everything is properly organized. Glad to see you over here!
Hi Nate,
First a big thank you for all the great information. I’m setting up a van for primarily weekend/week camps. Only real power draws will be from Refrigerator, Vent fan, Lights, and a few USB items. Did you do any research on the portable Lithium charge stations? I expect they are more costly and less powerful than a isolated battery system, however for a van used a few times a year vs a live in van, it seems like it might make sense? Any opinion you’d like to share? Thanks for the help
We have, actually. Here’s the blog post: https://www.explorist.life/goal-zero-vs-kodiak-vs-diy-camper-van-solar/
It needs to be updated as new products are coming out, but you’ll get the idea.
Hey Nate,
Love your site, blog, videos etc!! They have been a tremendous resource. Two items – 1. Just looking for some clarification re: choosing an inverter charger (best option for integrating shore power) and where the charge controller (specifically properly sizing it) comes into play. I followed your excellent previous post re: sizing a charge controller helping to greatly clarify an appropriate option there. Does this still apply if utilizing an inverter/charger? If so how can I be sure I am still getting the appropriate device if going that route. Sorry for the long-winded question! Second item – Ugh. It appears that the links to your solar wiring pages are being redirected. While I can still follow the responses below (still worth reading) the main content appears to have been usurped by some fake ID scam site. Sorry.
So on the inverter sizing, if you’ll go through the solar power audit you’ll find on the following page, it will give you a recommendation on the size of inverter you should use: https://www.explorist.life/what-size-of-solar-system-is-needed-to-power-a-camper/
Hey Nate, upon doing more research and asking AM Solar directly as well as Victron. They both advised on placing a breaker between shore connection and inverter. Otherwise what is there to protect the inverter from a surge or faulty wiring in a camp ground or rv park.
I plan on purchasing an outside surge protector as well but strongly advise on protecting that inverter.
A surge protector is, indeed, a good idea, but a surge protector and a breaker are two different things. A breaker is not necessary as it would not protect against either of those conditions you mentioned.
(But, by all means, feel free to add a breaker if it makes you sleep better at night)
I cant tell you how much I appreciate this concise and helpful information. Shared on several facebook groups.
Using the inverter, you can charge the batteries with shore power, correct? Given your inverter that you listed, what rate would that charge at?
Thanks!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Yep! That inverter charger mentioned will charge via shore power. Those, in particular, will charge at up to 70 amps DC.
This guide is very helpful for us as we are just starting the electrical part of our van build. You are an excellent teacher! Thanks Nate and Stephanie, for all your hard work.
You’re so welcome! Glad it helps!
So I have some items like lights that are 12v and can run directly through the battery without the need for the inverter and 110v outlets that it does need when wiring up to the breaker box/fuse box that is wired in after the Inverter my question is, is it okay for the 12v lights to be wired into the box after the power had already gone through the inverter?
The 12v things like lights, fans, usb outlets, etc will be wired into the DC fuse block; not the AC breaker box. See the example here: https://www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams