Loading...
Short answer: most vanlifers end up with both. A propane stove handles daily cooking without touching your battery, while a small induction plate covers the occasional need for precise heat or when gas isn't practical. But the numbers behind each option are worth understanding before you commit.
A standard induction plate pulls 1,200-1,800W — that's 100-150A through your inverter at 12V. Boiling 1 liter of water takes about 5 minutes and costs you roughly 12Ah. Cook for 30 minutes a day and you're burning through 70Ah — a third of a 200Ah battery. Meanwhile, a propane burner uses zero electricity, and a 6kg bottle lasts 3-6 weeks of daily cooking.
⚡ Expert tip
If you want induction without the massive power hit, look for marine-grade low-wattage induction plates rated at 800W. They're slower, but they halve the battery draw and let you get away with a 1,000W inverter instead of a 2,000W unit. Kenyon and Dometic make 120V models for the US market.
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 LiFePO4 battery
126 Ah
(80% depth of discharge)
Recommended AGM battery
201 Ah
(50% depth of discharge)
Recommended solar panels
302 Wc
4h average sun hours
Recommended inverter
No 220V appliances — no inverter needed
Adjust these values with the calculator below
VANPOWERCALC PROYOUR 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
REGULATEUR 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 PRO - UNLIMITED.
About this tool
Here's what I didn't expect when I tested induction full-time last summer in Spain: the inverter efficiency penalty is real. At 1,500W through a 2,000W inverter, you lose about 10-12% to heat — so your battery actually sees closer to 1,700W of draw. In winter with reduced solar, I burned through my 200Ah bank in two days trying to cook exclusively on induction. Went back to the gas stove by day three. The safety argument for ditching gas is valid — no open flame, no CO risk, no leak worries — but the electrical cost is steep unless you've got 300Ah+ and serious solar. One thing gas can't do though: a good induction plate simmers at exactly 60°C for hours without supervision. Perfect for slow-cooking a stew while you drive.
Frequently asked questions
How much battery does induction cooking use in a van?▼
At 1,500W through an inverter, 30 minutes of induction cooking drains about 70Ah from a 12V battery. That's roughly a third of a 200Ah LiFePO4 bank. A quick 5-minute water boil is more manageable at ~12Ah.
Can I run an induction cooktop on a 100Ah battery?▼
Technically yes, but it's not practical for daily use. 100Ah gives you about 960Wh usable (at 80% DoD). A single 30-minute cooking session at 1,500W eats 840Wh — nearly 90% of your usable battery in one meal. Stick to propane with that battery size.
Is propane safe in a van?▼
With proper installation, yes. You need a sealed gas locker vented to the outside (bottom vent is critical since propane is heavier than air), certified hose replaced every 5 years, and a shutoff valve within reach. Thousands of RVs and campervans run on propane daily without incident. A CO detector is cheap insurance.
What size inverter do I need for an induction plate?▼
2,000W minimum for a standard induction plate. They spike to 1,800W+ on high settings. A 1,500W inverter will trip its overload protection. If you go with an 800W marine induction plate, a 1,000W inverter works fine.
What do most full-time vanlifers actually use?▼
From what I've seen on forums and in person: 2-burner propane stove for daily cooking, plus a small inverter for the coffee maker in the morning. Full induction is rare — mostly digital nomads with 400W+ solar and 300Ah batteries who camp in sunny climates.
Recommended gear
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 1000WPure sine wave, sensitive devices compatible, 12V→110V/230V.View on Amazon →Editor's PickLiFePO4 Battery 100Ah100% usable capacity, 3000+ cycles, built-in BMS.View on Amazon →Editor's PickComplete 200W Solar KitPanel + MPPT controller + cables, ready to install.View on Amazon →