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
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
Comparison table
| Fridge type | Power | 24h consumption | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor 50L (Dometic) | 30-45W avg | 720-1,080 Wh | Best efficiency |
| Compressor 80L (ARB) | 45-60W avg | 1,080-1,440 Wh | Larger vol. |
| 3-way absorb. fridge | 100-150W | 2,400-3,600 Wh | Avoid for offgrid |
| 12V cooler (cheap) | 50-80W | 1,200-1,920 Wh | Not a fridge |
About this tool
Fridge Power Consumption in a Van: Real Numbers and What Affects Them
Your 12V compressor fridge is almost certainly your biggest energy consumer — typically 2-4× more than everything else combined. Getting accurate consumption figures is essential for correct battery and solar sizing.
Real Power Consumption by Popular 12V Fridges
These are measured real-world figures, not manufacturer specifications (which are typically 30-60% optimistic):
| Fridge Model | Nominal Watt | Duty Cycle | Real Avg Power | 24h Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic CFX3 35 | 45W | 30-45% | 15-20W | 360-480Wh |
| ARB 50L Elements | 50W | 35-50% | 18-25W | 430-600Wh |
| Engel MT45 | 35W | 25-40% | 9-14W | 216-336Wh |
| Iceco JP50 | 45W | 30-45% | 14-20W | 336-480Wh |
| Alpicool CX30 | 45W | 30-50% | 14-22W | 336-530Wh |
Measured at 25°C ambient, contents 50% full, target temperature 4°C.
The 5 Biggest Factors Affecting Fridge Consumption
1. Ambient temperature — the biggest variable. At 35°C vs 20°C, your fridge uses 50-80% more power. In a hot summer van without ventilation behind the fridge, consumption can double.
2. Fridge placement — fridges need 50-100mm of airflow clearance behind the compressor. A fridge walled in without ventilation runs its fan continuously and consumes 40-60% more.
3. Contents and opening frequency — each time you open the fridge, you let in warm air. Keep frequently-used items accessible and limit openings to under 5 per day.
4. Pre-cooling — always pre-cool your fridge at home before your trip. Starting with a fridge full of warm groceries wastes 200-400Wh pulling everything down to temperature.
5. Fridge insulation quality — budget fridges (thin walls, poor gaskets) consume 30-50% more for the same internal temperature. Notable difference between Engel (quality) and budget brands (Alpicool, Iceco).
Fridge vs Cooler Comparison
| Option | Power (daily) | Upfront Cost | Practical Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V compressor fridge | 360-600Wh | $250-900 | 8-15 years |
| 12V Peltier cooler | 700-1,100Wh | $80-200 | 2-5 years |
| ice cooler (no electricity) | 0Wh | $30-150 | 20+ years |
The 12V compressor fridge wins on long-term power consumption vs a Peltier cooler and offers genuine refrigeration (not just cooling).
Expert tip: Install a small 12V fan in the fridge compartment behind the compressor/condenser if there's any chance of restricted airflow. A $10 fan running at 1W can save 50-100Wh/day compared to a fridge that overheats because it can't exhaust heat effectively.