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A combo like the Victron MultiPlus 12/2000/80 rolls your inverter and shore power charger into one box — pure sine output, automatic transfer switch, and 80A charging built in. It's the cleanest install I've done. But there's a catch: if the unit dies, you lose both functions at once.
Numbers. The MultiPlus 12/2000/80 weighs 19 kg and runs $900-1,200 in 2026. Going separate — a decent 2000W pure sine inverter (Giandel or Renogy, ~$400-500, ~8 kg) plus a Victron Blue Smart IP22 30A charger (~$170, ~3 kg) — gets you to about 11 kg total for roughly $570-670. But you'll need a manual or auto transfer switch ($50-80) and extra wiring. The inverter needs 50mm² cable (1/0 AWG) and a 250A fuse within 12 inches of the battery.
⚡ Expert tip
If you go combo, add a standalone 20A DC-DC charger as backup charging from the alternator. That way a dead MultiPlus doesn't leave you with zero charging. And wire the combo's AC input through a surge protector — campground power is notoriously dirty, and a $30 surge strip can save a $1,000 unit.
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
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
The combo's killer feature is PowerAssist. Plugged into a weak campground pedestal — say 15A at 120V — the MultiPlus supplements shore power with battery power when you exceed the limit. You can run a 1,500W microwave on a 15A hookup without tripping the breaker. Try that with separate units and you'll be resetting breakers all evening. On the flip side, I've seen a MultiPlus fry from a bad shore power connection at a sketchy campground in Baja. The owner lost both inverter and charger. With separate units, the inverter would've kept running off solar and batteries. Redundancy matters if you're full-timing. Weight-wise, separate units win — 11 kg vs 19 kg — and they're easier to fit in tight spots since neither box is huge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Victron MultiPlus worth it for a van conversion?▼
For most builds, yes. The automatic transfer switch alone saves you $80 and a bunch of wiring. If you're on a tight budget and rarely use shore power, separate units can save you $200-400. But if you camp at RV parks regularly, the combo pays for itself in convenience.
Can I use a combo inverter-charger with LiFePO4 batteries?▼
Yes, but configure it properly. Set absorption to 14.6V and float to 13.5V in VictronConnect. The factory preset is for lead-acid at 14.4V absorption — leaving that on a LiFePO4 bank means you'll never fully charge it.
What size cables do I need for a 2000W combo unit?▼
At 12V, 2000W pulls about 185A. You need 1/0 AWG (50mm²) minimum, with a 250A ANL fuse within 12 inches of the battery positive terminal. Don't skimp here — undersized cables get hot and can start fires. The AC side uses standard 12 AWG (2.5mm²) with a GFCI breaker.
How loud is a combo inverter-charger?▼
The MultiPlus fan kicks in above 300-400W load. Running just a fridge at 50W? Dead silent. But at 1,500W with a microwave going, you'll hear it. Mount it away from sleeping areas — I put mine under the driver's seat.
What happens if shore power spikes damage my combo unit?▼
You lose both inverter and charger. That's the biggest risk. Install a surge protector on the AC input — Progressive Industries makes good RV-specific ones for $100-150. I've also seen people add a simple MOV-based surge strip as a cheap first line of defense.