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Fact-checked on Apr 3, 2026
VANPOWERCALC.COMYOUR 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
RÉGULATEUR 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.COM
A 2000W pure sine inverter handles almost anything you'd want in a van — induction cooktop, hair dryer, power tools, espresso machine. But at 12V, it draws over 180A at full load. That's a lot of current and it dictates your entire cable and fuse setup.
The inverter market in 2026 comes down to a few solid picks. Victron Phoenix 12/2000: best quality, 8-12W no-load draw, VE.Direct integration, ~$500-600. Giandel 2000W: budget king, 18-22W no-load, perfectly adequate for occasional use, ~$150-180. AIMS Power 2000W: good middle ground, 15W idle, strong surge rating (4000W), ~$250-300. Victron MultiPlus 12/2000: inverter + charger + transfer switch in one, ~$700-800 but replaces three devices.
Expert tip
Mount your inverter within 1 meter of the battery and use the shortest, fattest cables you can. Every extra meter of cable at 180A+ creates voltage drop, heat, and wasted energy. Some builders mount the inverter directly on top of the battery box — ugly but electrically optimal.
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 inverter
No 220V appliances — no inverter needed
Adjust these values with the calculator below
Comparison table
| Spec | Victron Phoenix 2000 | Giandel 2000W | Renogy 2000W | AIMS 2000W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surge Rating | 4,000W | 4,600W | 4,000W | 6,000W |
| Efficiency | 93% | 88% | 90% | 89% |
| No-Load Draw | 8W | 12W | 10W | 14W |
| Weight | 10.4 kg | 5.8 kg | 6.2 kg | 7.3 kg |
| Transfer Switch | Optional ext. | No | No | Built-in (some models) |
| Cable Size Needed | 50mm² (1/0 AWG) | 50mm² (1/0 AWG) | 50mm² (1/0 AWG) | 50mm² (1/0 AWG) |
| Fuse Required | 250A ANL | 250A ANL | 250A ANL | 300A ANL |
| Remote On/Off | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 years | 18 months | 2 years | 1 year |
| Price (2026) | ~$550 | ~$180 | ~$280 | ~$350 |
About this tool
Here's what caught me off guard on my first 2000W install: the cable sizing. At full load, 2000W through a 90% efficient inverter draws 185A at 12V. You need 50mm² (1/0 AWG) cable minimum for runs under 1.5m, and a 250-300A ANL fuse. I see builds on Instagram with 10mm² cable on a 2000W inverter — that wire would literally melt under sustained load. The other thing: no-load draw matters more than you think. A cheap inverter idling at 25W costs you 600Wh per day — that's half a small battery bank gone just to keep the inverter ready. If you don't need AC power 24/7, install a remote on/off switch and kill the inverter when it's not in use. The Victron's 8W idle draw is less painful but still adds up to 192Wh/day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 2000W or 3000W inverter?▼
2000W covers 95% of van use cases: induction at 1500W, hair dryer at 1800W, power tools at 1500W. You'd only need 3000W for running multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously, which rarely happens in a van. Save the money — a quality 2000W beats a cheap 3000W every time.
What cable size for a 2000W inverter?▼
50mm² (1/0 AWG) minimum for cable runs under 1.5m. For longer runs, go to 70mm² (2/0 AWG). Fuse it with a 250-300A ANL fuse within 30cm of the battery. This is non-negotiable — undersized cables at these currents are a fire hazard.
How much battery does a 2000W inverter use when idle?▼
Depends on the model. Victron Phoenix: 8-12W idle (96-144Wh/day). Budget brands: 18-30W idle (216-360Wh/day). That idle draw runs 24/7 if you leave the inverter on. Install a remote switch or disconnect when not needed.
Pure sine or modified sine for a van?▼
Pure sine, always in 2026. Modified sine can damage sensitive electronics (laptop chargers, CPAP machines, induction cooktops) and makes motors run hotter and noisier. The price gap has shrunk — a decent pure sine 2000W is $150-200, not worth the risk of saving $50 on modified.
Can my battery handle a 2000W inverter?▼
At full load: 2000W / 12V / 0.9 efficiency = 185A draw. A 200Ah LiFePO4 can deliver this (most have a 200A continuous BMS), but you'll drain it in about an hour at max power. For sustained heavy loads, 300Ah+ is more comfortable. For short bursts (coffee maker, blender), 100Ah works fine.
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