YOUR ENERGY PROFILE.
This document contains the sizing of your future electrical installation, calculated based on your appliances.
Inventory:
Battery
To guarantee 0WH without damaging your bank (80% max discharge):
Solar
Minimum power required to recharge your consumption:
220V AC
Maximum power (with 25% safety margin).
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
BOÎTE À FUSIBLES 12V
Pompe, Leds, Frigo...
CONVERTISSEUR 220V
NON REQUI
SHOPPING LIST
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Comparison table
| Pump Model | Flow Rate | Noise | Lifespan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shurflo 2088 | 6 L/min | 60-65 dB | 5-10 yrs | $70-100 |
| Whale Gulper 320 | 8 L/min | 65-70 dB | 3-7 yrs | $50-80 |
| Generic 3L/min | 3 L/min | 70-80 dB | 1-3 yrs | $20-40 |
| Accumulator + pump | Variable | 55-60 dB | 5-10 yrs | $100-140 |
About this tool
12V Water Pump Battery Consumption in a Van: What to Expect
A 12V water pump is one of the most misunderstood components in a van electrical budget. Its consumption seems negligible — and it is, per use — but it can add up if it's running repeatedly throughout the day.
Power Consumption by Pump Type
| Pump Type | Current Draw | Typical Run Time | Wh per Use | Daily Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shurflo 2088 (low pressure) | 7.5A (90W) | 30 sec per use | 0.75Wh | 3-12Wh |
| Shurflo Trail King 7 | 5A (60W) | 30 sec per use | 0.5Wh | 2-8Wh |
| Seaflo 33-Series | 8A (96W) | 30 sec per use | 0.8Wh | 3-15Wh |
| Accumulator tank setup | 5A momentary | Rare cycling | Minimal | 1-5Wh |
Daily total depends on usage frequency. For a couple: hand washing (10× 30 sec) + dishes (5 min) + tooth brushing (2 × 30 sec) ≈ 15-20 minutes of total run time per day.
15 min at 7.5A = 15/60 × 7.5 × 12V = 22.5Wh per day — roughly 2Ah. This is minimal compared to your fridge (1,000-1,400Wh/day).
Pressure Accumulator Tank: The Battery Saver
A pressure accumulator tank (1-2L) stores pressurized water so the pump doesn't cycle on for every single drop dispensed. Without an accumulator, your pump starts and stops constantly, which:
- Adds wear cycles to the pump motor
- Causes noticeable pulsing water flow
- Increases peak current spikes on your 12V system
With an accumulator: pump runs once to pressurize, then goes quiet until pressure drops significantly — often not until the next use. No constant cycling. No pulsing pressure.
Budget: $15-30 for a 1L accumulator tank. Easily one of the best ROI purchases for a van water system.
Total System Usage: Bigger Concerns Than the Pump
Your pump consumption is small. Your hot water heating is the real cost:
- 12V immersion heater: 120W × 30 min = 60Wh per shower
- Propane tankless: 0Wh electrical
- On-demand diesel HWS: ~15Wh (fan only)
When budgeting your water system electrical needs, focus on hot water heating — not the pump itself.
Expert tip: If your pump is cycling on and off even when no taps are open, you have a leak in your water system (or a failing pump check valve). Fix the leak first — a pump cycling from a leak adds up fast and wears the pump motor quickly.