because I drive so much that solar isn't really an option because the van would need to be sitting still to charge the batteries through solar.

What moron told you that the sun doesn't work on solar panels in motion? If the sun is shining on solar panels, they generate power. Solar charge controllers work just fine while a vehicle is in motion. Batteries don't give a crap if they're in a moving van.

I was also told that I HAD to have a generator if I wanted to run any kind of air conditioning and heat...Is that true?

For A/C, realistically solar/batteries need to be so large it may not be practical. Using electricity for heat is almost never practical.

None of your questions are unique to a metris.

You need to take a big, big step back and start researching 'solar power in vans' or 'solar power for RVs' For fun, try 'solar A/C for RVs'

There is no single solution that fits all. There is no solution at all that will fit all of your wants.

 

For A/C, realistically solar/batteries need to be so large it may not be practical. Using electricity for heat is almost never practical.

There is no single solution that fits all. There is no solution at all that will fit all of your wants.

Solar can certainly help to meet your needs some of the time. But, as Tree95 said- it won't do the job for many hours of camping in 100 F or below freezing temps. An auxiliary battery will also be important for when the alternator and/or solar aren't providing electricity. But when you're in conditions more than 20 or 30 degrees from your comfort zone in the van you'll probably need to access the grid, aka "shore power" in boating terms, to power a heater or AC for numerous hours when you're stopped.

Since you're driving a lot, there would be a lot of power available from the alternator. That would make a larger aux battery a more viable option since it would be getting fully recharged much faster from the alternator than with any solar panel that will fit on your roof. You will need a DC to DC charger to use power from the alternator to charge the aux battery. DC to DC chargers are less expensive than a large solar panel and a charge controller for the panel. A quality aux battery will most likely be the biggest single expense in your electrical system.

Insulating the van will help moderate the temps and reduce your energy requirements. And make it much quieter to drive and sleep in. I highly recommend that as a first step.

You'll need to figure out your electrical requirements- ie what are you trying to power and for how long. I did a quick search using "defining your electrical needs for a camper van" and came up with a list of promising looking website. Unless you've very familiar with a camper van or cabin cruiser boat, you'll be climbing a learning curve. You don't have to be a rocket scientist or electrical engineer to figure it out, but there are a lot of details to consider.

Anyhow, here in one site that looks pretty decent. As with most of these sites, it is aimed at Sprinter size vans so its a larger, more complex system than what you'll be dealing with.

https://faroutride.com/electrical-system/

Converting your van into a more usable camper will take time a lot of planning and work. And many thousands of dollars if you go beyond just a bare bones camper. That is why Metris's that have been converted to campers by professionals cost so much. The camper conversion almost doubles the value of the van. Quality components are expensive but the biggest cost is labor. That's true for almost any of the van conversions.

Good luck!

 

Oh I've tried telling several installers about solar. One even told me that solar was only going to be strong enough to run a cooler and nothing else. I've researched a lot and I'm still basically made to feel I don't know what I'm talking about because they've been doing this for years, etc. we did get a second opinion from someone who does nothing but conversion vans so I do have some hope

When it comes to air conditioning and heat, I have animals in my car at pretty much all times. I will look into solar ac though. Thanks.

 

Can you share what you keep in the van for equipment? When you say A/C do you mean you want to add a rooftop unit or portable unit inside the van?

 

Animal crates and supplies as I take dogs, cats, and other small creatures from one place to their new homes.

Was looking at a rooftop. But I'm open to hearing other options. I need to be able to turn it on briefly during the day so I can go to the restroom and such. And at night long enough to keep cool.

Insulation is definitely getting done. Floors and all.

Do you have a cargo van? or passenger?
What color?

I have yet to hear about an extra alternator in a Metris. I'd look at insulation, a full size roof rack with solar panels, which will help shade the van's roof ... probably an awning ... and running the van for AC. Folks are probably right that 120v AC would require a small generator, or serious coin towards a huge battery bank. 12v AC exists these days, but name brand was multiple times the cost.

White cargo. I thought about looking into a 2nd alternator but hadn't seen anyone do one in the metris either.

 

Do you have a cargo van? or passenger?
What color?

I have yet to hear about an extra alternator in a Metris. I'd look at insulation, a full size roof rack with solar panels, which will help shade the van's roof ... probably an awning ... and running the van for AC. Folks are probably right that 120v AC would require a small generator, or serious coin towards a huge battery bank. 12v AC exists these days, but name brand was multiple times the cost.

 

I did an electrical build on my van. Alternator, solar and shore power, 100Ah LiFePO4 battery + factory auxiliary battery. Runs the ICECO VL45S and MaxxFan forever on 100 watts of solar in most light conditions. 30 A DC-DC charger recharges very quickly when driving. I do not roof mount my solar -- I stow the panel in the van. Much stealthier, but much less convenient for, say, road side rest stops.

I invested about 400 hours designing, building and installing my system. If I were you (or me before I did my system), I'd give serious consideration to a portable "solar generator" like a Jackery or GoalZero or Bluetti. They are far better today than when I did my build. What you may lose in cost and customization by not going DIY, you make up in simplicity, speed, convenience and potentially safety.

Have fun!

p.s. Forget running an A/C unit except on shore power.

 

With furry lives at stake I think installing rooftop ac and adding shore power is critical. You should also add air quality sensors.

You could consider adding mid city engineering remote start so at night you can start and run ac for a quick change in temp without getting up.

@imacd would have the best advice on dog transportation.

 

With furry lives at stake I think installing rooftop ac and adding shore power is critical. You should also add air quality sensors.

You could consider adding mid city engineering remote start so at night you can start and run ac for a quick change in temp without getting up.

@imacd would have the best advice on dog transportation.

I will say I'm never stopped with animals in the car for more than 6-8 hours at any given time, but good advice and appreciated. I've been looking into remote start, but insulating the van and other things like that seemed more important. We're not against any other options for sure and I only want the best for the animals I carry. We are adding the shore power option for sure. Hasn't decided on the rooftop unit yet but we are looking into it and a possibly a Maxx fan as well. Then adding a hitch with a generator as a backup to everything else. We're meeting with someone tomorrow about the electrical. The rest of the build we're doing ourselves.

 

If you run the generator while on the hitch, consider a carbon monoxide detector for inside the van. Someone on here posted that he had carbon monoxide entering the van while pulling trailers. (I don't remember the details of the post but I think his employees had to be tested at the hospital.)

 

Hi Gina! My recommendation is that you take advice from knowledgeable people in this forum like @focus805 . I recently had my electrical in the van installed very similar or almost identical to what he suggested in another post and now that I understand the magnitude of things I am really happy I did it that way. Thanks again focus for the very helpful info!

I have a 95 Ah acid battery (came with the van) + 30A dc-dc mppt charger (Renogy) + 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery (Renogy) + 100W foldable solar panel (Renogy)

When driving the batteries get 30A of charging so the lithium battery charges in 3.3 hours. That battery powers a fridge for a few days without charging (still haven't done the test but on paper it should). I tried the solar panel recently and I got 100W / 7.6 A at 10 am in Sun Diego so that can be great for camping. Here is what I ended up spending with the electrical in case it helps for you to decide:

• Solar panel $157
• 30A dcd mppt $237
• 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery $385
• Rest of components (wire, fuses, bluetooth module, cables for solar, sockets...): $250
• Labor paid to a friend to do the install: $325 , for 8 hours of installation

Total $1350 aprox

I think for your case doing it this way would be a good solution

 

Each of my crates also have their own fans. I treat these animals like their my babies. I don't do heat well myself. I mean I moved from Texas to Wisconsin on purpose. Haha. We were planning on the carbon monoxide detector. I want the generator to be there strictly as backup in case for some reason I don't have access to shore power and I have to be parked for more than a few hours or if for some reason the whole system fails. Not really as a main source of electricity for anything. The animals are most important to me. Their comfort and well being is my top priority.

 

Needless to say, I haven't been to the US shows for a couple of years (although I usually have one with a handler - $$$). The hottest I usually get is Greyslake in Chicago in June, although the Montgomery weekend in Philadelphia can be hot. I have a white passenger van so there's A/C in the back when travelling and a Maxxair that I can set to go on above a set temperature when parked. I got the auxiliary battery (under the driver's seat) and 300 watts of solar on top (which also shades the roof). The inverter runs fans on each crate. The idea was that I would be able to drop the windows enough for decent air flow and get to ringside or grab a bit to eat without panicking. I think the crate fans are essential. Seems to work well for my needs, but if it gets seriously hot, you probably need something better. Air conditioning may be rather power hungry but I've toyed with the idea of water cooled crate pads.