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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
| Component | DIY (Individual) | Pre-Made Kit | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x 200W Solar Panels | $260 | $350-400 | 30-35% |
| 30A MPPT Controller | $170 | $200-250 | 15-30% |
| Solar Cable (10m, 4mm²) | $35 | $50-60 | 30-40% |
| Mounting Hardware | $40 | $60-80 | 35-50% |
| Cable Gland | $8 | $15-20 | 50% |
| Fuses & Holders | $10 | $20-25 | 50% |
| Total (400W system) | ~$525 | $700-1,000 | 25-45% |
| Quality Control | You choose each part | Kit vendor decides | Better with DIY |
| Warranty | Per component | Single vendor | Varies |
For a 400W kit: 2× Renogy 200W panels ($260), 1× Victron SmartSolar 30A MPPT ($170), 10m of 4mm² solar cable ($35), mounting hardware for 2 panels ($40), cable gland ($8), fuses ($10). Total: ~$525. A comparable pre-made 400W kit costs $700-1,000. Where NOT to save money: the MPPT controller. A $30 PWM controller on a $260 panel array wastes 15-30% of your solar production — that's $40-80 worth of energy lost per year. The Victron SmartSolar pays for itself within 6 months through better energy harvest AND Bluetooth monitoring that helps you optimize panel angle and shading. Where TO save money: mounting hardware (aluminum Z-brackets from Amazon are identical to "solar brand" brackets at 1/3 the price), cables (buy from an electrical supplier, not a solar store), and MC4 connectors (generic MC4 from Amazon work fine — they're a universal standard).
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