Add 12 volt circuits to RV

Hey, This is Barratt with the Gimpy Camper. This week we are going to talk about 12-volt distribution panels. Whether doing a van build, remodeling an old camper, or just trying to add some 12-volt circuits to a rig. These 12 volt distribution panels can be very helpful.

I've had a 12-volt distribution panel in the front with my electrical components for a long time and I believe this is common practice. However, while watching Butch Cassidy's channel on building a schoolie, I noticed in his video he was talking about how they added multiple 12 volt panels when building schoolies because it kept down on running multiple long strands of wiring.

Why are we adding an additional 12-volt distribution panel?
When thinking about my situation I was starting to think of how I could essentially restrict my parasitic draws when not using my camper but still provide power to the components that I wanted. Mainly providing power all the time to my Insty Connect cellular router, as I have always on the internet in my camper. Why is this important when I'm not in the camper? Well, it's important due to the fact that I do have a blink camera system setup at my camper. I park the camper at my neighbor's house and I like to keep an eye on it, as we do live on a fairly busy street. Most of the time my 300 watts of solar keeps the batteries fully charged but there have always been one to two times every winter when my two lion energy batteries went dead in the water. I did add a third battery and this capability to turn off unwanted electricity through a series of bus bars and cut-offs.

Which power distribution panels did I install? Well, I was initially looking locally for just a regular 12-volt distribution panel like I have in my front bay. However, after being unable to find it locally I was looking on Amazon. I started looking to see what other things I could find that would also satisfy my needs and possibly either have better aesthetics or better functionality. I ended up ordering this Nilight Rocker switch, which essentially functions as a distribution panel, but you have more control over each circuit as you can turn on or off the circuit, There are also built-in USB plugs and a built-in 12-volt socket. They come in a couple of different backlight options, but I chose blue. I really liked the choice I made to go with this, but it did come with some issues which we will now discuss. I did purchase this with my own money.

The installation wouldn't be bad but my RV wall was only about 2" deep, mixed with the fact that there was a sewer ventilation pipe right where I wanted to mount it. I was able to get it to work, but I did have to patch a piece of the panel back in the wall after an oopsie because of the sewer pipe and I had to cut out a piece of wood to act as a 3/4" bezel to add more space to the wall as the 2" gap was not big enough to fit the components and the built-in fuses that hang behind the unit into the wall.

As far as the functionality, this setup has worked just how I envisioned it. I have wired the following things into the rocker switches: My router, Lippert Floe, and a USB plug that I mounted lower into the wall for my daughter to have access to for a 12-volt heated blanket as she sleeps on this couch often. I also have my Blink Module for my Blink cameras mounted in this cabinet and plugged directly into the USB outlet on the front panel. I'm happy with this product and am glad we decided to go this route.

Related Videos:
Chuck Cassidy Video: https://youtu.be/NG5S5ZmXh_Q?si=2XBrWKSvbAspY6_G

Amazon Links:
Nilight Rocker Switch Panel- https://amzn.to/47lQFcf
12 way 12 volt distribution center- https://amzn.to/3QIkVal
6 way 12 volt distribution center- https://amzn.to/47lQFcf
Camera Gear:
DJI Pocket Osmo: https://amzn.to/3sxF2f8
DJI Wireless Microphone: https://amzn.to/3DubZQS
Canon 70D: https://amzn.to/3uF2g5U
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PYG Tech phone/dji Pocket holder: https://amzn.to/3GLQRni
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