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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
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
| Feature | LiFePO4 200Ah | AGM 200Ah | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €500-800 | €180-300 | AGM |
| Usable Capacity | 180Ah (90%) | 100Ah (50%) | LiFePO4 |
| Weight | 25-28kg | 58-65kg | LiFePO4 |
| Cycle Life | 3000+ cycles | 400-600 cycles | LiFePO4 |
| Cost/kWh cycled | ~€1.25 | ~€5.00 | LiFePO4 |
| Winter charging | 0°C min (BMS) | −20°C OK | AGM |
| Drop-in replace? | Check charger | Yes | AGM |
The complete data-driven comparison between LiFePO4 and AGM for van builds — with the real numbers that matter.
Usable capacity: This is the most misunderstood difference. LiFePO4 should only be discharged to 10-20% SoC (80-90% usable DoD). AGM should only be discharged to 50% SoC max (50% usable DoD) to maintain cycle life. Real-world: a 200Ah AGM = 100Ah usable. A 200Ah LiFePO4 = 180Ah usable. To get 180Ah usable from AGM: you need a 360Ah AGM bank = 2× 180Ah batteries = 116-130kg and €360-600 — versus one 200Ah LiFePO4 at 25kg and €500-800.
Cycle life and real cost per kWh: LiFePO4 200Ah at €600, 3000 cycles at 80% DoD (160Ah per cycle): total energy delivered = 480,000 Wh = 480 kWh. Cost per kWh: €600 ÷ 480 = €1.25/kWh. AGM 200Ah at €250, 500 cycles at 50% DoD (100Ah per cycle): total energy = 50,000 Wh = 50 kWh. Cost per kWh: €250 ÷ 50 = €5.00/kWh. LiFePO4 is 4× cheaper per kWh cycled in the long run.
Weight: For a van build targeting a 200Ah usable bank — LiFePO4: 25-28kg. AGM equivalent (360Ah AGM): 117-130kg. Weight saving: 90-105kg. This matters for payload capacity, for off-road vehicles, for fuel economy (90kg extra = ~0.3-0.5L/100km extra diesel consumption), and for B-license weight limits.
Charging compatibility: LiFePO4 requires a charger with a LiFePO4 profile (absorption at 14.2-14.6V, no equalization, float at 13.6V or absorb-end). Most MPPT solar controllers sold after 2020 have LiFePO4 profiles. Shore power chargers (CTEK, Victron, Sterling): check the specifications — many older units only go to 14.4V absorption which is acceptable but not optimal. Smart alternator (Euro 6): LiFePO4 requires a DC-DC charger — a VSR/combiner relay does not work reliably.
Temperature behavior: LiFePO4 should not be charged below 0°C without a battery management system that has low-temperature cutoff. Most quality LiFePO4 batteries (Battle Born, SOK, EcoFlow) have internal BMS with low-temp charge protection. AGM can be charged at temperatures as low as -20°C (slowly). For winter van builds crossing below-zero nights without heating: verify your LiFePO4 BMS spec or add a self-heating battery (Renogy, Eco-Worthy).
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