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YOUR ENERGY PROFILE.
This document contains the sizing of your future electrical installation, calculated based on your appliances.
Inventory:
To guarantee 0WH without damaging your bank (80% max discharge):
Minimum power required to recharge your consumption:
Maximum power (with 25% safety margin).
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 |
The fuse protects the wire, not the appliance. Always place it as close to the power source as possible (battery or busbar).
0W
0 Ah
Lithium LiFePO4
Pompe, Leds, Frigo...
NON REQUI
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
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 | ||
Adjust these values with the calculator below
| Season | Daily Production (400W) | Typical Consumption | Surplus / Deficit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 1,800-2,200 Wh | 800-1,000 Wh | +800 to +1,200 Wh |
| Spring/Autumn | 1,000-1,500 Wh | 800-1,000 Wh | +0 to +500 Wh |
| Winter (Dec-Feb, north) | 400-600 Wh | 800-1,000 Wh | -200 to -600 Wh |
| Winter (Dec-Feb, south) | 800-1,200 Wh | 800-1,000 Wh | Borderline |
| Cloudy Day (any season) | 200-400 Wh | 800-1,000 Wh | -400 to -800 Wh |
| Peak Sun Day (summer) | 2,200-2,600 Wh | 800-1,000 Wh | +1,200 to +1,600 Wh |
From April to October, 400W produced more than I consumed every single day — battery stayed at 80-100% perpetually. Pure energy abundance. The trouble starts in November. In northern France/UK/Germany, December production dropped to 400-600Wh — below my 800Wh consumption. I ran a daily deficit of 200-400Wh, draining the battery by about 20% per day. By day 3-4, I needed to either drive (DC-DC charger) or find shore power. In southern Spain that same December, production was 800-1,000Wh — still enough. Geography matters enormously. My recommendation: 400W is perfect for the van sweet spot of 3-season travel in temperate climates. If you winter in Scandinavia or northern UK, add more solar or accept that you'll supplement with driving and shore power. If you're a digital nomad pulling 1,200Wh/day, go 600W.
Links marked with * are affiliate links. If a purchase is made through them, I receive a commission at no extra cost to you. The editorial selection and product evaluation are not influenced by commission rates. Your click helps fund this free tool.
$200ALLPOWERS