
Motorhome Electrical Setup Guide
Electrical System Install for MH (Solar, Batteries, MPPT)
🔋 Complete Motorhome Solar & Electrical Installation Guide
🚛 Mazda T3500 - Specifications, Components and Legal
🚚 Vehicle Specifications
- Model: 1990 Mazda T3500 Diesel
- Configuration: 6-berth Motorhome
- Engine: Diesel 3.5L Non-Turbo
- Transmission: Manual 5-speed
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 4500kg (est. with motorhome body)
- Alternator Output: 80A @ 14.4V
📚 T3500 Resources
- AI Help: Mazda T3500 AI Assistant
- Full Manual: Complete T3500 Manual (PDF)
- Facebook Group 1: Mazda T-Series Community
- Facebook Group 2: Mazda T3500 Owners Support
🏷️ Registration Details (PE2417)
- Plate Number: PE2417
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Service Vehicle (Motor Caravan)
- Make: Mazda
- Model: T3500
- Year: 1990
- Engine Size: 3455cc
⚡ Electrical Systems (Click items for details)
- Inverter: Power Train PT1000WL
- Batteries: 4X PowerTech 100Ah SB2215
- Solar Controller: OLYS MPPT5025A-DUO-BT
- Solar Panels: 2x AtemPower Flexible Shingled Solar Panel 200W
- Dual Battery Charging: BEP Digital Voltage Sensitive Relay
- Car Alarm: Steel Mate 838G Car Alarm System
💧 Water Systems (Click items for details)
- Water Heater: Airxcel SW4DA
- Water Pump: Ozito PTP-012A 600L/H 12V Portable Pressure Pump
- Fresh Water Tank: 75L Capacity
- Grey Water Tank: 75L Capacity
🔥 Heating & Cooking (Click items for details)
- Diesel Air Heater: LF Bros Air Heater
- Gas Hotplate: Dometic 2 Burner Hob with Glass Lid
- Fridge: Iceco BC49 Fridge/Freezer 49L
📊 System Overview (Click for details)
- Total Solar: 400W (2 x 200W panels)
- Battery Bank: 400Ah LiFePO4 (4 x 100Ah)
- Inverter Power: 1000W Pure Sine Wave
- Water Capacity: 150L Total (75L Fresh + 75L Grey)
📋 Legal Compliance & Camping Requirements
🔍 Certificate of Fitness (COF)
- Frequency: Annual inspection required
- Applies to: Vehicles over 3500kg GVM (T3500 qualifies)
- Covers: Brakes, steering, lights, tyres, structure
- Cost: $150-300 depending on location
- Where: VTNZ, AA, or authorised testing stations
🔥 Gas Compliance Certificate
- Frequency: Every 4 years
- Covers: LPG bottles, regulators, hoses, appliances
- Required for: Gas hotplate, gas heating systems
- Cost: $200-400 depending on complexity
- Who: Certified gas fitter (LPG endorsement)
🏕️ Self-Containment Certificate
- Validity: 4 years from issue date
- Blue Sticker: Enables freedom camping in designated areas
- Requirements: 75L fresh water, 75L grey water, toilet
- Cost: $100-200 for inspection
- Standard: NZS 5465:2001 compliance required
🏞️ NZMCA Parks Access
- NZMCA Membership: Annual fee $85 (2025 rates)
- Benefits: Access to 400+ NZMCA parks nationwide
- Self-Containment: Required for most NZMCA parks
- Stay Limits: Usually 2-3 nights per location
- Additional: Magazine, rally access, discounts
🌲 DOC Camping Requirements
- DOC Camping Pass: Annual pass $65 (family $120)
- Site Types: Basic ($6-15), Standard ($15-25), Serviced ($25-35)
- Booking: Online at doc.govt.nz (peak season recommended)
- Self-Containment: Required for most conservation areas
- Restrictions: Vehicle length limits may apply
🗺️ Freedom Camping Legal Requirements
- Self-Containment: Mandatory for freedom camping (Blue Sticker)
- Location Rules: Check local council bylaws before parking
- Time Limits: Usually 1-3 nights maximum per location
- Apps: CamperMate, Rankers Camping for legal sites
- Fines: $200-1000 for illegal camping
📜 Additional Legal Requirements
- Driver Licence: Class 2 required for vehicles over 4500kg
- Road User Charges (RUC): Required for diesel vehicles over 3500kg
- Insurance: Third party minimum, comprehensive recommended
- Warrant of Fitness: Every 6 months for vehicles over 18 years
- EWOF: Only if 240V mains electrical system installed
📅 Compliance Calendar & Services
📍 Find Services Near You: Use your current location or search by address to find the nearest compliance services.
🔧 Every 6 Months: Warrant of Fitness (WoF)
Required for vehicles over 18 years old
📍 Nearby WoF Centers
📋 Annual: Registration Renewal & COF Inspection
Registration renewal online or at agents • COF at certified stations
📍 Nearby COF Centers
🔥 Every 4 Years: Gas Compliance & Self-Containment
Certified gas fitters • Self-containment inspectors
📍 Nearby Gas Certification Services
📍 Nearby Self-Containment Certifiers
⛽ As Required: RUC Purchases & EWOF
Diesel RUC purchases • Electrical WoF if 240V system
📍 Nearby RUC Agents
🚗 Ongoing: Licence, Insurance & Camping
Driver licence renewal • Insurance quotes • Camping permits
💰 Insurance Options
📍 Nearby DOC Campsites
📍 Nearby Holiday Parks
📝 Complete System Electrical Schematic
⚡ Professional Electrical Schematic Diagram
Diagram Legend:
This is a complete electrical schematic showing all connections, fuses, switches, and wire paths.
- ⎯⎯⎯ Red lines = Positive (+)
- ⎯⎯⎯ Black lines = Negative (-)
- Cable Types:
- ⎯⎯⎯
- 2/0 AWG - Main Power (200A)
- ⎯⎯⎯
- 10 AWG - Solar Cable (30A)
- ⎯⎯⎯
- 12 AWG - Branch Circuit (20A)
- ⎯⎯⎯
- 14 AWG - Branch Circuit (15A)
System Specification:
- System Voltage: 12V DC
- Solar Capacity: 400W (2 x 200W Panels)
- Engine Battery: 100Ah Lead Acid
- House Battery Bank: 400Ah LiFePO4 (4 x 100Ah)
- Alternator: 80A @ 14.4V
- Dual Battery Isolator: Cut-in 13.7V, Cut-off 12.8V
- MPPT Controller: 20A Rating
- Individual Battery Protection: 100A Fuses
Safety Critical:
- Master load switch disconnects all 12V appliances
- Always disconnect battery negative before servicing
- All fuses must be properly sized and rated
- Battery connections require proper torque
- Solar panel isolation required during installation
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
Solar Array:
- 2x 200W panels = 400W total
- Voltage: 20-25V open circuit
- Current: 20A max output
Engine Battery:
- 100Ah Lead Acid
- Voltage: 12.6V nominal
- Cranking Amps: 800A
House Battery Bank:
- 4x 100Ah LiFePO4 = 400Ah
- Voltage: 12.8V nominal
- Energy: 5.12kWh usable
Charging System:
- Alternator: 80A @ 14.4V
- Isolator: Smart, voltage sensing
- Cut-in: 13.7V | Cut-off: 12.8V
Protection:
- Battery fuses: 4x 100A (individual protection)
- Master load switch: Disconnects all 12V appliances
- Solar breaker: 20A DC
- Inverter fuse: 200A
Wire Gauges:
- Main: 2/0 AWG | Solar: 10 AWG
- Loads: 12-14 AWG
MPPT Connection:
- Always connect to battery BEFORE solar
⚠️ SAFETY CRITICAL
- Main fuse MUST be within 7" of battery positive terminal
- All fuses must be DC rated for system voltage
- Connect MPPT to battery BEFORE solar panels
- Use proper wire gauge for current capacity
- Test all connections
Important Reminder:
Battery fuses protect each battery's positive connection to the system.