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The Dethleffs Globebus is a solid B-class motorhome but the factory electrical is underwhelming — a small 95Ah AGM and no solar. Two upgrades transform its off-grid capability: 200W of solar panels and a LiFePO4 battery swap.
The factory AGM sits in a dedicated compartment under the rear bench — it fits a standard 200Ah LiFePO4 (like SOK or BattleBorn) with minimal modification. The existing wiring uses 16mm² cable which handles up to 80A — adequate for a 200Ah lithium bank. You need to update the factory charger profile from AGM to LiFePO4 (the Dethleffs Schaudt EBL unit has selectable profiles on some models).
⚡ Expert tip
Before swapping the battery, photograph every wire connection on the factory AGM. The Dethleffs EBL board has specific connections for starter battery sensing, solar input, and load output. Getting one wire wrong after the swap causes confusing error codes on the control panel.
Example calculation for your setup
Results based on a typical use case
| Appliance | Power | Usage/day | Wh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression fridge | 45W | 24h | 1080 |
| LED lighting | 20W | 4h | 80 |
| Water pump | 30W | 0.5h | 15 |
| Phone charging | 15W | 2h | 30 |
| Daily consumption | 1205 Wh | ||
Recommended LiFePO4 battery
126 Ah
(80% depth of discharge)
Recommended AGM battery
201 Ah
(50% depth of discharge)
Adjust these values with the calculator below
VANPOWERCALC PROYOUR ENERGY PROFILE
YOUR ENERGY PROFILE.
This document contains the sizing of your future electrical installation, calculated based on your appliances.
Minimum Daily Consumption
0 WH / DAY
Inventory:
SYSTEM SIZINGPage 2
Battery
To guarantee 0WH without damaging your bank (80% max discharge):
0 AH
LiFePO4 12V
Solar
Minimum power required to recharge your consumption:
0 W
via MPPT
220V AC
Maximum power (with 25% safety margin).
0 W
No Need
Safety & CablingPage 3
12V Cable Sizing Guide
Use this professional reference table to select the correct gauge (mm²) for your cables. For 12V in a van, the maximum tolerated voltage drop is 3%. Always use multi-stranded flexible automotive wire.
| Current (A) | Round trip < 2m | Round trip 4m | Round trip 6m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5A (LEDs, USB) | 1.5 mm² | 2.5 mm² | 4 mm² |
| 10A (Fridge, Pump) | 2.5 mm² | 4 mm² | 6 mm² |
| 20A (Heater) | 4 mm² | 10 mm² | 10 mm² |
| 50A (DC/DC Booster) | 10 mm² | 16 mm² | 25 mm² |
| 100A (Inverter) | 25 mm² | 35 mm² | 50 mm² |
Fuse Sizing
The fuse protects the wire, not the appliance. Always place it as close to the power source as possible (battery or busbar).
- Wire 1.5 mm² → Max fuse 10A
- Wire 2.5 mm² → Max fuse 20A
- Wire 4 mm² → Max fuse 30A
- Wire 6 mm² → Max fuse 40A
- Wire 10 mm² → Max fuse 60A
SCHÉMA ÉLECTRIQUE
PANNEAUX SOLAIRES
0W
REGULATEUR MPPT
BATTERIE AUXILIAIRE
0 Ah
Lithium LiFePO4
FUSIBLE
FUSIBLE
BOÎTE À FUSIBLES 12V
Pompe, Leds, Frigo...
CONVERTISSEUR 220V
NON REQUI
PRO GEARPage 4
SHOPPING LIST
Where to find this equipment? Here is the community-approved selection.
12V 6-way Fuse Box
Mandatory protection
Digital Multimeter
Test your connections
Heavy Duty Crimping Tool
For perfect lugs
Heat Shrink Tubing
Insulation and safety
GENERATED BY VANPOWERCALC PRO - UNLIMITED.
About this tool
For solar, the Globebus roof has enough flat area for two 100W rigid panels behind the air conditioning unit. Route cables through the factory cable entry point near the bathroom vent — don't drill new holes if you can avoid it. A 20A Victron MPPT controller fits in the electrical cabinet near the battery. The Globebus also has a factory DC-DC connection from the Fiat Ducato chassis — check if it's a relay or proper DC-DC charger. Older models used a simple relay that won't charge lithium properly from the Euro 6 alternator. Total cost for the upgrade: LiFePO4 200Ah ($600-800), 200W solar + MPPT ($250-300), mounting hardware ($50-80), and a few hours of labor. The weight saving alone — 60kg AGM to 25kg LiFePO4 — is noticeable when driving.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade the Dethleffs Globebus battery to lithium?▼
Yes. The factory battery compartment fits a standard 200Ah LiFePO4. Update the Schaudt EBL charger profile to LiFePO4 (14.6V). Keep all existing wiring — the 16mm² cables are adequate.
How much solar fits on a Globebus roof?▼
200W comfortably (2× 100W rigid panels). Space is limited by the AC unit and antenna. Route cables through the existing cable entry near the bathroom vent.
Will lithium void my Dethleffs warranty?▼
The electrical warranty may be affected if the dealer determines the battery swap caused a failure. In practice, a clean LiFePO4 install with correct charger settings doesn't cause issues. Keep the original AGM in case you need warranty service.
Do I need to change the factory charger?▼
Maybe. If the Schaudt EBL unit has a LiFePO4 profile: just switch it. If it doesn't, add a standalone LiFePO4 charger for shore power and keep the EBL for monitoring only.
What about the factory split charge relay?▼
If your Globebus has a Euro 6 Ducato engine (2016+), the factory relay doesn't charge lithium properly. Add a DC-DC charger (Victron Orion 30A) between the chassis battery and house battery. Disconnect or bypass the factory relay.