Sean & family's Vauxhall Vivaro
The brief
Sean bought a utility van to convert into a campervan for his children and their partners. Alongside giving them somewhere comfortable for short adventures, the conversion would be a practice run for a bigger project: replacing his own off-the-shelf campervan with a self-build better suited to his needs.
The electrical system needed to power lights, a fridge, USB charging ports, a water pump and a modem for trips of up to three days off-grid. Sean also wanted 230V power on campsites and leisure battery charging from solar, driving and shore hook-up.
The original load plan estimated consumption at 65Ah per day. Keeping the installation compact was another priority, leaving as much space as possible for the bed, kitchen and living area.
The van
The conversion is based on a 2020 Vauxhall Vivaro Mk3.
Planning began in early 2025 with the purchase of The Van Conversion Bible, followed by the materials, components and tools for the build. Sean and his family took their time working out how to make the best use of the space and started working on the build in spring 2026.
Kitchen and bed kits helped bring the interior together, while a specialist professionally fitted an underslung gas tank. The family completed the rest of the conversion themselves.
The electrical system
Our Sales Engineer Dan helped Sean put together a system around three main requirements: powering the everyday off-grid essentials, charging from several sources and keeping the installation compact.
Mains appliances would only be used on campsite hook-up, so the system uses a dedicated mains battery charger without an inverter.
| Vehicle | 2020 Vauxhall Vivaro Mk3 |
| Use case | Short family adventures, with a mix of campsites and off-grid stays |
| Daily power usage | 65Ah/day at 12V |
| Battery | 105Ah lithium |
| Solar | 215W Victron BlueSolar |
| Alternator charging | 30A DC-DC |
| Mains charging | Victron Blue Smart IP22 12V 15A charger |
| High-powered AC appliances | 1200W caravan kettle, for use on shore hook-up only |
| Other loads | Lights, 12V fridge, phone and tablet charging, water pump and WiFi modem; laptop charger and radio on shore hook-up |
Why we designed it this way
🔋 105Ah lithium battery
Sean wanted a compact system for short trips, with the leisure battery supplying the family’s everyday essentials. With an estimated daily power consumption of 65Ah, the 105Ah Fogstar Drift provides around 1.6 days of stored energy, giving them a useful buffer before needing to recharge.
☀️ 215W solar
The 215W Victron panel provides charging while the van is parked, helping replenish the leisure battery without needing to drive or connect to hook-up. This gives the family another charging option during their adventures. How much it contributes depends on the season, weather and shading, so solar sits alongside alternator and mains charging rather than being the only way to recharge.
⚡ Mains charging and campsite power
Sean only needed 230V power when connected to campsite hook-up. A dedicated Victron Blue Smart IP22 15A charger meets the battery charging requirement, while the hook-up supplies the van’s mains socket. This means the family can use their caravan kettle and other 230V appliances on a campsite without including an inverter in the installation, helping keep the system compact.
🚐 30A DC-DC charging
The Victron Orion-Tr Smart charges the leisure battery while the van is being driven. For longer trips, driving provides a useful opportunity to replenish the battery. Combined with solar and mains charging, this gives the family three ways to charge depending on where they are and how they’re travelling.
What does the system power?
The off-grid side of the system supports the essentials for short family adventures:
- Lights
- 12V fridge
- Phone and tablet charging
- Water pump
- WiFi modem
When connected to shore hook-up, the family can also use:
- 1200W caravan kettle
- Laptop charger
- Radio
Keeping these mains appliances for campsite use means the leisure battery supplies the smaller everyday loads while off-grid.
Installing the system
Sean and his family carried out the electrical installation as part of their wider self-build, with Dan helping them select the system. Nohma’s supplied package included a bespoke wiring diagram, installation booklet and ongoing guidance and support.
Aside from the professionally fitted underslung gas tank, the family completed the build themselves. The Vivaro has therefore been both a campervan project and an opportunity to gain experience before tackling a larger conversion.
Living with the system
The finished van is already being enjoyed by Sean’s family, including on a trip to France.
Early testing has been encouraging. Sean reports that, with their actual usage, the van appears capable of almost a week off-grid, with scope for longer when driving or sunshine adds charging. That reflects their testing experience rather than the original load estimate, with time off-grid depending on consumption and charging conditions.
The Vivaro now gives Sean, his children and their partners a comfortable base for short adventures, while giving him practical experience to take into his next self-build.
Sean's verdict
We’re very happy with the results - in testing it seems that the van should be good for almost a week off-grid, longer if it’s being driven or the sun is shining! Our family have been enjoying the results including a trip to France!
Sean, Nohma Customer
System components ⚡️
Planning something similar?
If you're building a campervan for long-term travel, remote work or extended periods off-grid, the right electrical system depends on much more than battery size alone.
We design each system around your appliances, expected energy use, charging opportunities and the way you actually plan to travel.
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