If you're converting a VW Crafter into a campervan, the electrical system is probably the part that feels most daunting. I get it — I've been helping people through this since 2007, and the questions I hear most often are about electrics. The good news? Once you understand the basics, it all starts to make sense.

This guide covers everything a first-time converter needs to know: 12V vs 230V systems, batteries, solar, CBE control panels, and how it all fits together in a Crafter build.

12V vs 230V: What's the Difference?

Your Crafter's electrical system will run on two voltages, and understanding both is essential.

12V DC is your van's native voltage — the same as your starter battery. It powers your lights, water pump, USB sockets, compressor fridge, and most of your day-to-day appliances. It's efficient, safe, and runs directly from your leisure battery bank.

230V AC is mains voltage — the same as your house. You'll need this for a microwave, laptop charger, or any standard household appliance. In a campervan, 230V is generated by a mains hook-up connection (when you're on a campsite) or by an inverter that converts your 12V battery power into 230V AC.

For most Crafter builds, I recommend designing your system around 12V as the primary source, with 230V available via hook-up and a quality inverter for occasional use. This keeps your system efficient and your battery bank lasting longer.

Choosing the Right Leisure Battery

Your leisure battery (or battery bank) is the heart of your electrical system. It stores the energy you generate from solar or hook-up and releases it to power your van. There are three main types to consider:

AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries are a solid entry-level choice. They're sealed, maintenance-free, and handle the charge/discharge cycles of campervan life reasonably well. They're also the most affordable option.

Gel batteries are similar to AGM but slightly more tolerant of deep discharge. They're a good mid-range option for builds where you're not going fully off-grid.

Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries are the gold standard for modern campervan builds. They're lighter, charge faster, last significantly longer (2,000–3,000 cycles vs 300–500 for AGM), and you can use close to 100% of their capacity without damage. The upfront cost is higher, but over the lifetime of your van, lithium almost always works out better value.

For a VW Crafter with a typical build — fridge, lighting, water pump, phone charging — I'd recommend a minimum of 100Ah of lithium or 200Ah of AGM to give you comfortable off-grid capability.

Solar: Free Energy from the Roof

The Crafter has a generous roof area, which makes it ideal for solar panels. A well-designed solar setup means you can go days — or even weeks — without needing a hook-up, which is the whole point of van life.

Here's what a basic solar setup involves:

• Solar panels — typically 100W to 400W total for a Crafter, depending on your energy needs and roof space
• A solar charge controller (MPPT) — this regulates the power coming from the panels into your battery. An MPPT controller is significantly more efficient than a PWM controller and is worth the extra investment
• Cabling and fusing — properly sized cables and fuses are non-negotiable for safety

A 200W solar setup with a quality MPPT controller and a 100Ah lithium battery will keep most couples comfortable through an Irish summer without ever needing a hook-up. In winter, you'll want more panel capacity or to supplement with a B2B (battery-to-battery) charger that tops up your leisure battery while you're driving.

CBE Control Panels: The Brain of Your System

One of the products I recommend most often for Crafter builds is the CBE control panel system. CBE (an Italian manufacturer with decades of experience in the leisure vehicle industry) makes integrated control panels that bring together battery monitoring, 12V distribution, mains management, and solar input into one clean, professional unit.

Instead of a rats' nest of individual switches, fuses, and meters, a CBE panel gives you:

• A clear battery state-of-charge display
• Individual circuit control for lights, pump, fridge, and more
• Automatic mains/battery switching when you plug into hook-up
• A professional finish that adds real value to your build

We stock the full range of CBE panels and components, and because we're manufacturer-trained, we can help you spec the right system for your build — whether you're doing a simple weekend camper or a full-time live-in conversion.

Hook-Up: Connecting to Mains on Site

An EHU (External Hook-Up) inlet lets you plug your van into a campsite's mains supply, just like a caravan. This charges your leisure batteries, powers your 230V appliances directly, and takes the pressure off your solar system during extended stays.

A proper hook-up setup includes an inlet socket (usually a blue 16A caravan-style connector), a consumer unit with RCD protection, and a mains charger/converter to charge your leisure batteries from the mains supply. Safety here is paramount — this is one area where I'd always recommend using quality components and, if in doubt, getting the work checked by a qualified electrician.

Putting It All Together: A Typical Crafter Electrical System

Here's how a well-designed Crafter electrical system typically looks:

1. 200W–400W solar panels on the roof, feeding into an MPPT charge controller
2. 100Ah–200Ah lithium leisure battery bank as the central energy store
3. B2B charger to charge the leisure bank from the van's alternator while driving
4. CBE control panel for distribution, monitoring, and mains management
5. EHU inlet and consumer unit for campsite hook-up
6. Inverter (1000W–2000W) for 230V appliances when off-grid

Every build is different, and the right spec depends on how you plan to use your van. A weekend warrior who mostly stays on sites needs a very different system to someone planning to work remotely from their van full-time.

Need Help Speccing Your System?

We've been helping people build campervans since 2007, and electrical systems are one of our specialities. Whether you're just starting to plan your build or you're mid-conversion and need advice, we're happy to help.

Browse our full range of electrical components — including CBE panels, MPPT controllers, lithium batteries, solar panels, inverters, and everything else you need for a professional-quality electrical system in your VW Crafter.

And if you have questions, just get in touch. There are no silly questions when it comes to electrics — getting it right is what matters.

— Dave, Vanderlust Campervans