The Country Homes Camper conversion was one of many alternatives to the Westfalia Camper conversion offered by Volkswagen. The Country Homes Campers were a bit simpler but did include a connection for 110 shore power and a house battery charged by the alternator. The shore power provided power to the 110/12V refrigerator and a wall plug. The house battery was only wired to the 110/12V refrigerator and the fresh water pump. The interior lights were left wired to the starter battery.
After a bit of research I decided to ditch the lead acid deep cycle house battery and the older Sure Power Industries Multi-Battery Isolator which was used to both charge and isolate the house battery. Since we do not expect to use the van for extended campouts, I ended up going with a 50 Ah Renogy lithium iron phosphate battery, 12V 30A dual input DC-DC battery charger with MPPT, a 100 watt suitcase style solar panel and a Renogy BT-2 Bluetooth system monitor…all located under the drivers seat.
To distribute the power from the house battery I installed a Blue Seas System 6 circuit fuse block and a 5 gang rocker switch panel with USB and 12V charging ports. Using the switches I am able to send power to the refrigerator, water pump, auxiliary heater (coming later) and two sets of USB/12V charging ports. The switch panel also has a voltmeter to show how the house battery is holding up.
In addition to upgrading the house battery system, I went ahead and connected the radio, interior lights and a 12V fan to the house battery. This helps ensure that I do not drain the starter battery while using the dome lights or the radio.
The final touch to the system was to install plugs under the rear seat so I can access power from the house battery and connect my suitcase style solar panel for charging the battery.
