Plan on Installing a Lithium to Replace your AGM’s, AS3000 could give you issues.
PeterInSa said
08:34 PM Nov 24, 2025
Am thinking about the above, and in hindsight, I should have done it B4 Nov. 2023 and the introduction of AS3000, reading the thread below it would seem that not only do I change over 2x 120amp AGMs for 1 x 135Amp Lithium, I will also need to change over the cabling to solar approved cables from my solar panels+ to the pre Nov23 Controller.
The lithium battery will be in the front boot of our van with outside ventilation, but there maybe other considerations.
Like most big-ticket items, at some time in the future I will sell the van, the new buyer could well question the legality of my install, so will get an electrician to approve the DIY install and also notify the insurance company of the modification.
I understand that there is a grace period for solar lithium installs B4 the AS3000 introduction, however if you are selling your van with a lithium battery and no electrical signoff with the install prior to Nov 23, there may be some questions asked by the potential buyer and you may need receipts for the install/components..
The above are my thoughts, they may not be 100% accuracte or legal, you need to do your own research. I think the Caravan Council will clarify the situation in the coming months or later.
I greatly appreciate the comments in the thread below, for the time being I am holding off a Lithium install in our caravan.
Admin, if its against forum rules to reference a Thread on another Forum please delete this info.
I think you are referring to AS3001.
AS3000 is the standard for general electrical.
Cheers,
Peter
Corndoggy said
09:48 PM Nov 24, 2025
My understanding of solar approved cables is that they are suitable for permanent installation in all weather conditions without protection, halogen free, double insulated and now conform to a newer standard. This is where you will have to change those cables, the new standard. I believe that once the cables go into your van they would not have to be solar cable as they are no longer exposed to the elements. But that is my belief.
Does your existing van have a junction box on the roof that the solar cables go into and are joined with another cable that goes to your controller? Solar panels will now have to have an isolator on them before connecting to the controller.
All cables connected to the battery have to be a suitable size and fused accordingly. If you used busbar or studs for power connections cables suitably sized and fused. As your batteries are outside the liveable area and you say are vented to the outside that's fine. Batteries have to be securely fixed.
If your going to get an electrician to certify it make sure you find an electrician that actually fully knows and understands what goes with 12v wiring and regulations on caravans. Most electricians will not know these things. This area is not common practice with sparkles as most would never have worked on one.
Don't know if when you sell a van it has to be done with certification papers or not. When I sold our van, which was not registered, and was an on site caravan which had to be removed, I sold it "as is" and it was in the bill of sale.
Am thinking about the above, and in hindsight, I should have done it B4 Nov. 2023 and the introduction of AS3000, reading the thread below it would seem that not only do I change over 2x 120amp AGMs for 1 x 135Amp Lithium, I will also need to change over the cabling to solar approved cables from my solar panels+ to the pre Nov23 Controller.
The lithium battery will be in the front boot of our van with outside ventilation, but there maybe other considerations.
Like most big-ticket items, at some time in the future I will sell the van, the new buyer could well question the legality of my install, so will get an electrician to approve the DIY install and also notify the insurance company of the modification.
I understand that there is a grace period for solar lithium installs B4 the AS3000 introduction, however if you are selling your van with a lithium battery and no electrical signoff with the install prior to Nov 23, there may be some questions asked by the potential buyer and you may need receipts for the install/components..
The above are my thoughts, they may not be 100% accuracte or legal, you need to do your own research. I think the Caravan Council will clarify the situation in the coming months or later.
I greatly appreciate the comments in the thread below, for the time being I am holding off a Lithium install in our caravan.
Admin, if its against forum rules to reference a Thread on another Forum please delete this info.
https://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=97507
AS3000 is the standard for general electrical.
Cheers,
Peter
Does your existing van have a junction box on the roof that the solar cables go into and are joined with another cable that goes to your controller? Solar panels will now have to have an isolator on them before connecting to the controller.
All cables connected to the battery have to be a suitable size and fused accordingly. If you used busbar or studs for power connections cables suitably sized and fused. As your batteries are outside the liveable area and you say are vented to the outside that's fine. Batteries have to be securely fixed.
If your going to get an electrician to certify it make sure you find an electrician that actually fully knows and understands what goes with 12v wiring and regulations on caravans. Most electricians will not know these things. This area is not common practice with sparkles as most would never have worked on one.
Don't know if when you sell a van it has to be done with certification papers or not. When I sold our van, which was not registered, and was an on site caravan which had to be removed, I sold it "as is" and it was in the bill of sale.
www.diycaravans.com.au/wp-content/uploads/AS_NZS_3001.2_Technical_Bulletin_Batteries.pdf
Take care. That is not the standard, it is someone's interpretation of a very small part of it.
Cheers,
Peter