Shore power in a van allows you to charge and power your electrical system via the mains at home or in a campsite. In my opinion, this is essential if you are using your campervan for extended trips with campsite visits. In our Roaming Home 2023 study we found that 58% of people install shore power in their van conversion. In this guide, I will show you the simple approach to installing a mains hook-up socket (shore power inlet) in your van. By the end, your van will be ready to connect to the mains.
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Shane, the founder of The Van Conversion, is a campervan professional dedicated to helping people transform ordinary vans into homes on wheels. He has authored Roaming Home, and teaches The Van Conversion Course, guiding many people through their van builds. Shane also writes The Van Conversion Newsletter, where he shares practical tips and insights. After completing two van builds and living on the road full-time since 2020, he is passionate about sharing his expertise with others.
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Supplies List
 | |
 | For driving and drilling |
 | For protecting bear metal from rust |
 | Sikaflex 522 sealant For sticking the inlet to the side of your van and forming a watertight seal. |
 | For keeping the hole saw lubricated |
 | For cutting circular holes in wood and metal |
 | Metal file For smoothing cut metal edges |
What is Shore Power and How Does it Work?
Shore power (campervan electric hook-up) means hooking up to the mains to charge your leisure batteries. Installing shore power not only allows us to charge up our leisure batteries, but also allows us to run appliances directly off mains when we are plugged in (rather than always running through our batteries).
I have lived for quite some time in my campervan in Chamonix, France. It typically sees temperatures of -20°C in the heart of winter. During this time, I tend to leave my van plugged into mains full-time. This is imperative to keep the heater running. I could not live without an electric hook-up.
You will need a battery charger if you want to install shore power in your van.
How to Use a Hole Saw
You will need to use a bi-metal (metal cutting) hole saw drill attachment to cut a circular hole in the side of your van for your entry gland.
There are a few things you should be aware of when using a bi-metal hole saw:
Oil: Use tapping and cutting fluid (e.g. WD40) liberally on the metal you're cutting. The high friction will destroy the hole saw otherwise.
RPM: Use the drill on a low RPM (rotations per minute) to keep friction low. This means that you shouldn't press your finger all the way down on the trigger of the drill.
Pulsate: Pulsate the drill while you are cutting. Using a stop and start motion while drilling gives the hole saw a chance to cool down.
Don’t cheap out: Real bi-metal hole saws cost a bit of cash - the cheap ones you find online may not work as well or at all.
Be careful of the swarf:
When using mechanical tools on metal, a lot of metal shavings are produced (known as 'swarf'). It is vital that you remove all these shavings from the van when you are finished. If you don't, they will very quickly rust and damage your vehicle.
Always wear eye protection while using mechanical tools on metal. Swarf can cause real damage if it gets in your eyes.
Learn from my mistakes; the first time I used a hole saw, I destroyed it within 5 minutes because I didn't follow the above advice.
How to Install a Campervan Mains Hook-up Socket
There are many inlets we may need to install in a campervan, including (but not limited to):
Mains hook up socket
The process of installing a mains hook-up socket and water inlet is the exact same, and very similar to the solar cable entry installation.
Note: Per UK regulation BS 7671, the mains hook-up socket inlet must be in an easy-to-access position, no more than 1.8m above the ground. It must be at least IP44-rated (splashproof).
Step 1: Choose a bi-metal holesaw
Choose a bi-metal hole saw that fits for the mains hook-up socket. Check the specific dimensions of the inlet you are using. Choosing the right size hole saw is important.
Step 2: Trace around the hole saw
Place the hole saw on the van and trace around it with a marker or pencil.
Step 3: Drill pilot holes
Drill a pilot hole in the middle of the traced circle and two more pilot holes close by on either side.
Step 4: Tape some plywood
Tape a square piece of plywood to the side of the van to cover the three holes you just drilled. This will act as the backing flange of the mains hook-up socket.
Step 5: Secure the plywood
Screw into the piece of plywood from the outside to secure it to the van.
Step 6: Use the hole saw
Attach the hole saw to your drill and cut a hole in the side of the van.
Step 7: Treat the cut edges with a file and metal paint
Use a file to file away burrs, swarf, and sharp spots. Then, apply anti-rust metal paint to the cut edges.
Step 8: Insert the inlet
Place the mains hook up socket into the hole you've just cut and mark with a pencil where the screws go in. Then take it out again.
Step 9: Drill pilot holes
Drill four pilot holes on the pencil marks.
Step 10: Secure the plywood to the van
The plywood will be the backing flange of the inlet. Secure the plywood to the inside of the van with Sikaflex. Clamp the plywood to the van until the Sikaflex has dried and secured.
Step 11: Attach the mains hook-up socket (shore power inlet)
Screw the mains hook up socket into the van from the outside
Step 12: Apply sealant
Run a bead of sealant around the inlet to prevent any leaks.
Conclusion
I hope you found this guide to installing a shore power inlet useful. You are well on your way to a beautiful self-build campervan. Your next steps might be to look at the rest of your shore power system, or to install an inverter or leisure battery.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Van Conversion Newsletter for everything you need to get started with your own van conversion (we'll send you a free wiring diagram when you join).
If you're looking for some guidance with your van conversion, you might be interested in our book Roaming Home, or in our online course The Van Conversion Mastery Course. You'll learn directly from our founder Shane how to convert a van into your dream home - no prior experience needed.
Until next time.