Posted by RV Solutions on 27th Feb 2026
64 Sandyford Street Christchurch
Electrical & Solar Systems for Your RV
Specialists in RV solar, lithium batteries, inverters and electrical upgrades for motorhomes, caravans and campervans in Christchurch, with a full range of solutions to support modern RV living.
RV Solutions specialises in professional upgrades, installations and servicing for motorhomes, caravans and campervans across New Zealand. Our experienced team designs and installs reliable off-grid power systems including solar panels, lithium battery systems, inverters, DC-DC chargers and complete 12V electrical solutions to keep your RV powered wherever your travels take you.
We also provide a wide range of RV upgrades and accessories, helping owners improve comfort, performance and independence on the road. Whether you're building a custom camper, upgrading your caravan's electrical system or preparing your motorhome for extended off-grid travel, RV Solutions delivers high-quality workmanship and trusted advice.
Based in New Zealand, we support the growing RV community with expert installations, innovative solutions and dependable service designed for life on the road.
At RV Solutions, we're your local Christchurch specialists for motorhome and caravan electrical systems, solar installations, and RV upgrades. With years of experience serving the Canterbury region and RV owners across New Zealand, we deliver professional installations that you can rely on for your next adventure.
Whether you're preparing for a South Island road trip, setting up for freedom camping, or upgrading your rig for full-time living, our team provides honest advice and quality workmanship on every job.
Everything you need to know about RV Solutions and the services we provide. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Get in touch with our team directly.
RV Solutions is a Christchurch-based specialist workshop for motorhomes, caravans and campervans. We design and install off-grid power systems, complete electrical upgrades, solar panels, lithium battery systems, inverters, DC-DC chargers, and a full range of RV accessories and hardware.
We work with RV owners across Canterbury and New Zealand, helping people get more out of their time on the road — whether that's a weekend away or full-time travelling.
Our workshop is based in Christchurch, New Zealand. We primarily serve the Canterbury region including Christchurch, Selwyn, Waimakariri and surrounding areas. We also work with customers travelling through the South Island or shipping their RV to us for major upgrades.
Contact us to discuss your location and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
We work on all types of recreational vehicles, including:
Whether your RV is brand new or a vintage build, we have the experience to work with it.
You can book through our website using the enquiry form, call us directly, or send us an email. We recommend describing what you're looking to achieve so we can match you with the right solution before your visit.
For larger projects such as full solar or battery system builds, we offer a consultation to assess your needs and provide a detailed quote.
We supply and install all parts as standard. We work with trusted brands including Victron Energy, Enerdrive, Renogy and others, so you can be confident in the quality of what goes into your RV.
If you've already purchased components, get in touch and we can discuss whether we're able to install customer-supplied equipment.
A typical RV solar installation includes solar panels mounted to the roof, a solar charge controller (MPPT), cabling, fusing, and integration with your battery bank. We design each system around your power requirements and available roof space.
We can also incorporate monitoring via the Victron VRM portal so you can track your system's performance remotely.
It depends on how much power you use daily and how long you want to stay off-grid. A good starting point is to calculate your daily energy consumption in watt-hours, then size your solar to replenish that within a typical day of NZ sun.
Common setups for RVs range from 200W for light use through to 800W+ for full-time off-grid living. We'll help you work out the right size during your consultation.
Yes — modern MPPT solar systems generate useful power even on overcast days, not just in direct sunlight. New Zealand has excellent solar conditions for most of the year, particularly on the South Island east coast where Christchurch is located.
We use quality panels and controllers rated for NZ conditions to ensure reliable year-round performance.
In most cases, yes. We can assess your current setup and advise on the best way to expand your solar capacity, whether that's adding panels to an existing controller, upgrading to a larger MPPT unit, or redesigning the system entirely.
AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries are a reliable, proven technology that works well for moderate use. They're more affordable upfront but are heavier and have a shorter usable capacity — you typically only draw down to 50% before risking damage.
Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries are lighter, last significantly longer, and can be safely discharged to 80–90% of their capacity. This means you often need less battery to achieve the same usable storage. For full-time or frequent RV use, lithium is generally the better long-term investment.
This depends on your daily power consumption and how many days of autonomy you want (i.e. how long you can go without charging). We calculate this by looking at what appliances you run, how long you run them, and whether you have solar, shore power, or a DC-DC charger as your primary charging source.
A common starting point for a couple living off-grid is 200–400Ah of lithium, but we'll tailor this to your specific needs.
Yes. DC-DC chargers (also called battery-to-battery chargers) allow your leisure battery to charge efficiently from your vehicle's alternator while driving. This is especially important for lithium batteries, as a standard VSR relay system isn't sufficient to charge them properly.
We install units from Victron, Enerdrive, and other trusted brands, sized to suit your battery bank and vehicle.
Absolutely. We regularly upgrade RVs from lead-acid or AGM batteries to lithium systems. This usually involves replacing the batteries, upgrading the charge controller settings, and ensuring the rest of the system (charger, inverter, DC-DC charger) is compatible with lithium chemistry.
An inverter converts 12V DC power from your batteries into 230V AC power — the same type of power you use at home. If you want to run appliances like a microwave, coffee machine, laptop charger, or hair dryer from your batteries, you'll need an inverter.
A combined inverter-charger (like the Victron MultiPlus range) also charges your batteries when connected to shore power, making it a very capable all-in-one solution.
Inverter size is determined by the peak power draw of the appliances you want to run. Common loads include:
For most RVs, a 2000W inverter-charger covers everyday needs comfortably. If you're running multiple high-draw appliances, we may recommend a larger unit. We'll size it correctly during your consultation.
We primarily install Victron Energy inverters and inverter-chargers, which are widely regarded as the best in the industry for reliability, monitoring capability, and long-term support. We also work with Enerdrive and ePOWER units depending on budget and application.
We offer a comprehensive range of RV electrical services including:
Yes. Electrical fault finding is one of our core services. Whether you have intermittent power issues, dead circuits, battery drain problems, or a system that's simply not performing as it should, we have the tools and experience to diagnose and fix the problem.
Yes. Our hardware installation service covers a wide range of RV accessories including reversing cameras, satellite dishes, diesel heaters, motor movers, bike racks, and more. If it involves wiring or fitting to your RV, we can most likely help.
We install and repair RV water systems including fresh water tanks, grey water tanks, 12V water pumps, hot water systems, and complete plumbing modifications. We also carry out self containment certification work — ensuring your system meets NZ requirements for freedom camping.
Yes. We install additional or replacement water tanks for both fresh water and grey water. Increasing your tank capacity is one of the most practical upgrades for extended off-grid travel, and we can integrate new tanks seamlessly with your existing plumbing.
Yes. We offer water ingress testing to identify where leaks are entering your RV, and repair services to seal and remedy the damage. Catching water ingress early is critical to preventing costly structural damage to your vehicle.
An Electrical Warrant of Fitness (EWOF) is a certificate that confirms the 230V AC electrical system in your RV is safe and meets New Zealand standards. It's required for most motorhomes and caravans that have a 230V system, and must be renewed periodically.
If you're buying or selling an RV, or have had electrical work done, you may need a current EWOF. We carry out EWOF inspections and can advise on any remedial work required to bring your vehicle up to standard.
Self containment certification confirms that your motorhome or caravan can responsibly manage its fresh water, grey water, and toilet waste without needing external services. This certification is required to legally freedom camp at self-contained-only sites in New Zealand.
We inspect your water systems, toilet facilities, and plumbing, and issue the appropriate certification if your vehicle meets the requirements. If upgrades are needed, we can carry those out as well.
Most certification inspections can be completed within a few hours. If remedial work is required before we can issue the certificate, we'll advise you on the scope and timeframe. We aim to make the process as straightforward and quick as possible.
Yes. If your RV has failed an EWOF or self containment inspection, we can carry out the required repairs or upgrades to bring it up to the necessary standard. We'll give you a clear explanation of what's needed and a quote before any work begins.
Our team is happy to talk through your project and provide honest, no-obligation advice.