What tools do I need to install my campervan electrical system?
Equip yourself with these essential tools to ensure a safe and successful installation of your campervan electrical system. With the help of Nohma, installing an electrical system in a campervan is easy. But without the right tools, it can be challenging and compromise the effectiveness and safety of your system.
Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a beginner, having the proper tools is essential to ensure that your electrical system is safe, reliable, and functional. On this page, we’ll discuss some of the essential tools you’ll need to install a campervan electrical system.
We can provide all of these tools in our webshop, however we only stock good-quality components. So, it may be possible to find similar, cheaper equipment elsewhere. We don’t include these tools in our systems as default, so each customer can choose what’s right for them.
So, let’s look at the tools you may need to install your campervan electrical system.
Crimping tool for small cables
A crimping tool is an essential tool for anyone working with electrical wiring. It is used to connect small lugs, which are metal connectors shrouded with a plastic coating that attach wires to components. A crimping tool for 1.5-6mm² / 16-9AWG lugs is ideal for campervan electrical systems, as it can handle the small to medium-sized wires that are commonly used to supply 12V loads. When using a crimping tool, be sure to select the correct size lug for your wire, and ensure you create a strong connection. Loose lugs are one of the most common and easily avoided issues for electrical installations.
Expect to pay anywhere from £10 – £50 for this tool.
Wire cutter/stripper for small cables
A wire cutter/stripper is another essential tool for anyone working with electrical wiring. It is used to cut and strip the insulation from wires, allowing them to be connected to components. A wire cutter/stripper for 1.5-6mm² / 16-9AWG cable is the perfect match for the previously mentioned crimping tool. It ensures that you only cut and remove the cable sheath, and not the thin strands of copper cable it protects.
Expect to pay anywhere from £5 – £20 for this tool.
Crimping tool for medium to large cables
A crimping tool for thicker cables is required to crimp larger lugs and connectors onto thick cables from 10-95mm² / 7-1/0AWG. The heavy-duty tool typically functions using either hydraulics to pump up the pressure, or with a long lever to provide sufficient mechanical advantage to make a strong connection. It is a crucial bit of kit for most campervan electrical systems, as low voltage, high current systems require larger cables to support the demands of major components such as the batteries and inverters. It is very hard to replicate the job of a heavy-duty crimping tool, as significant force needs to be evenly exerted on the lug and cable from all angles. This is not a job for a hammer!
Expect to pay anywhere from £40 – £150 for this tool.
Wire stripper for large cables
Stripping larger diameter cables can be tricky. Thankfully, tools like this wire stripper from Jokari allow you to clamp around the cable, set the depth of the cutting blade, and rotate the tool around the cable to cut the sheath. There are several similar products available that can cut cables from 10-95mm² / 7-1/0AWG. It’s possible to use a Stanley knife to strip thicker cables, however it’s important that you don’t nick any cable strands whilst doing this.
Expect to pay anywhere from £15 – £50 for this tool.
Wire cutter for large cables
A wire cutter for 6-60mm² / 9-1/0AWG cable does exactly what it says, and will cut larger cables. While it is possible to cut small cables with a pair of pliers or even strong scissors, this is not possible for larger cables. Furthermore, it’s important that you create a clean and tidy cut through your cable so it can fit snugly inside a lug.
Expect to pay anywhere from £5 – £50 for this tool.
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