Buyer guides & how-tos
Practical, no-fluff guides for boat owners and conversion builders: wiring, pumps, batteries, solar and Victron systems. Each one links straight to the parts we stock.
Victron Setup for a Skoolie: A Proven Component List and Wiring Order
A reference Victron system for a school bus conversion: MultiPlus-II, SmartSolar, Orion XS, SmartShunt, Cerbo GX and lithium, with wiring order and fusing.
Read guide →October 22, 2026Skoolie Electrical Basics: Sizing Solar, Lithium Batteries and Inverters
A step-by-step energy budget for school bus and van conversions: size the lithium bank, solar array, inverter and alternator charging, plus wire and fusing.
Read guide →October 20, 2026How to Choose Marine Wire Gauge (AWG): A Boat Owner's Guide
Pick the right marine wire gauge using amps, round-trip length and the 3% vs 10% voltage-drop rule, plus why tinned wire and proper terminals matter.
Read guide →October 19, 2026Bilge Pump Sizing: How Many GPH Do You Really Need?
Rated GPH isn't real-world GPH. How to size primary and backup bilge pumps, pick automatic vs float-switch setups, and wire them so they actually work.
Read guide →October 18, 2026Marine Battery Types Explained: Flooded vs AGM vs Lithium (LiFePO4)
Starting vs deep-cycle, flooded vs AGM vs LiFePO4: usable capacity, weight, charging needs and when the lithium upgrade actually pays off on a boat.
Read guide →October 17, 2026Victron Energy Basics: MPPT, MultiPlus, SmartShunt and Cerbo GX
A plain-English map of the Victron lineup: which part does what, how they talk to each other, and starter combinations for boats.
Read guide →Building a skoolie, van or boat electrical system? Get free system design help. Send your build details and we'll spec a parts list.