I wanted to start planning my electrical wiring for my Autosleeper Trooper restoration that I will be continuing next July when I am back in the UK.
Does anyone know of a software that I can plan the layout in? Something like Sketchup of a T25 or maybe an easy to learn electrical diagram making program?
Are we talking about the "leisure" wiring here? i.e. Split charge / solar / fridge / heating / music / tv etc?
Just wondering why you want to go to such lengths, using software. imho it's not necessary. Just follow the normal "good practice" techniques and lots of common sense. If you need advice on a specific thing, i.e. solar charging or wiring up power amps and speakers, ask on here as plenty of folk will chime in with good advice.
My advice = keep it neat and tidy, label wires, use a decent fused distribution block and remember, you can always "tweak" your installation when you (inevitably) find summat you missed, like that extra USB charging socket or that extra light above the bed etc.
It was more that I work in IT so enjoy tinkering with software and secondly I am looking to plan out the wiring routes etc and placement of speakers, switch panels, audio wiring etc.
Also I work abroad so will not get to work on the van for a year now and so have time for planning. When I get home next year it will be my main transport and so need to hit the ground running and get it working ASAP.
IMO if planning an installation of any significance there are a number of good reasons to use suitable tools (eg. software). For example, helping the planning process by developing ideas, establishing required components and materials, and documenting the job for later troubleshooting or development either by the current or future owner.
In the sphere of electrical or electronic design these tools seem to be known as 'EDA' software. The one I use for electronic design and production of printed circuit boards, is called 'KiCAD'. It's very much aimed at that task, but I think it could be used for basic electrical design too. KiCAD is released under GPL and is free to use. The only other tools I've used that might lend itself to this sort of work is Microsoft Visio.
HTH
Syncrosport (taking a break as of summer 2024)
Volkswagen Transporter, reloaded.
syncroandy wrote:IMO if planning an installation of any significance there are a number of good reasons to use suitable tools (eg. software). For example, helping the planning process by developing ideas, establishing required components and materials, and documenting the job for later troubleshooting or development either by the current or future owner.
In the sphere of electrical or electronic design these tools seem to be known as 'EDA' software. The one I use for electronic design and production of printed circuit boards, is called 'KiCAD'. It's very much aimed at that task, but I think it could be used for basic electrical design too. KiCAD is released under GPL and is free to use. The only other tools I've used that might lend itself to this sort of work is Microsoft Visio.
HTH
That is great I will check the GPL software out for sure, thanks for the recommendation.
