Switch panel vs campervan's 12V DC system

[evy]

So this is my lighting plan and how the wiring will be done.

[arctictraveller]

Nice diagram. It looks like your reading lights, celing, and storage lights are all on the same circuit. Unless each is switched at the light, you might consider putting them on seperate circuits as you may not want all the lights on when your simply reading. Tinned marine grade wire is great, but unless you expect the interior of your van to get very wet, corrosion should not be an issue. The marine stuff could be easier to run though as it usually has more strands and is more flexible. As for shrink tubing, again the adheasive lined stuff is probably best but more expensive. For splices outside or under the van, I'd say it's a good investment, but for interior use it's probably overkill.

[evy]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

Nice diagram. It looks like your reading lights, celing, and storage lights are all on the same circuit. Unless each is switched at the light, you might consider putting them on seperate circuits as you may not want all the lights on when your simply reading. Tinned marine grade wire is great, but unless you expect the interior of your van to get very wet, corrosion should not be an issue. The marine stuff could be easier to run though as it usually has more strands and is more flexible. As for shrink tubing, again the adheasive lined stuff is probably best but more expensive. For splices outside or under the van, I'd say it's a good investment, but for interior use it's probably overkill.

Thanks for the advice.
all of my lighting fixtures have on/off switch on them, except the LED strip in the kitchen.
The tinned wire is only for the outside LED spotlights. I will do the inside with the regular stuff.
I need to add the wire gauge on this plan.

[evy]

Just installed this, now I have to wire everything up, and add a main breaker.

[Adventurezoutside]

I was just going to post a thread about doing this, is there anyway that you can post a link to the switch panel that you finally picked up? And maybe a photo of where you planning on mounting it? Great Thread and great input from all these members

[evy]

Originally Posted by Adventurezoutside

I was just going to post a thread about doing this, is there anyway that you can post a link to the switch panel that you finally picked up? And maybe a photo of where you planning on mounting it? Great Thread and great input from all these members

I don't usually get to help out on this forum (normally I'm the one in need of help lol) so I'll be happy to.

I chose this model on ebay because it fits with my ford's E250 dash style (green indicator lights). And if it's dark you can see what switchs you want without opening the cab light.
Also it has 6 breakers that you can easily reset (no fuses).
It took maybe 15 minutes to install it (cutting the hole and screwing it in, no hook ups yet)
It seems like good quality but I have never bought a switch panel in my life so... :-/
As you can see in the 2 pictures I posted I installed it in the panel right under the steering wheel a bit to the right (accessible with my right hand) I took out the black foam padding behind the plastic panel, I will probably add a small metal bracket later so when you push a button the whole panel doesn't go backwards.

34$ including shipping, I bought from a US based seller, I can't seem to find him but they all sell the same model.
Here's one from China, but the shipping will take a while.

6 Gang LED Marine Boat Rocker Switch Panel with Circuit Breaker and Indicator HR | eBay

[evy]

Ho and by the way I did not go with marine tinned wiring and heat shrink with adhesive because all my outside lights have 18" or wire, I will simply drill a whole for every light and do all my connections inside with regular wiring and connectors, they will be easier to access and I wont have to hide everything like I woukd have if it was on the outside.