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
| Feature | Power Station | Custom Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Install Time | 5 Minutes | 10-20 Hours |
| Scalability | Limited/Expensive | High/Modular |
| Portability | Excellent | None (Permanent) |
| Cost ($ per kWh) | $800 - $1,200 | $400 - $600 |
About this tool
Portable Power Station vs Leisure Battery: Which Is Right for Your Van?
This comparison covers the two fundamental approaches to van electrical systems: the all-in-one portable power station (like EcoFlow Delta Pro, Jackery Explorer) vs a traditional built-in leisure battery setup. Both can work for van life — but for very different use cases.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Portable Power Station | Leisure Battery Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Minutes (plug and play) | 1-3 days (DIY) or weeks (pro) |
| Cost for 1kWh | $800-1,500 (EcoFlow Delta Pro) | $400-800 (DIY LiFePO4) |
| Solar charging | Via built-in MPPT | Via external MPPT regulator |
| Expandability | Limited (add extra batteries) | Unlimited (add banks) |
| Portability | Carry between van and house | Fixed installation |
| Max solar input | 800W-1,600W | Unlimited |
| Repairability | Factory only | DIY repair possible |
| Depth of discharge | 80% (software limited) | 95%+ (LiFePO4 direct) |
When a Portable Power Station Makes Sense
Portable power stations excel for weekend warriors and first-time builders who want:
- No electrical expertise required
- Flexibility to use the same unit at home, camping, or in the van
- Genuine "try before you fully commit" approach to van life
- A system that works out of the box in 10 minutes
The EcoFlow Delta Pro (3.6kWh, max 3,600W output, 1,600W solar input) is genuinely powerful enough for a full-time van build. At ~$3,000, it's more expensive per kWh than DIY — but zero wiring complexity.
When a Built-In Leisure Battery Setup Makes Sense
A traditional leisure battery system wins for full-time van lifers and serious builders who want:
- Lowest cost per kWh (DIY LiFePO4 is 30-50% cheaper than equivalent portable stations)
- Maximum expandability (add more battery banks as needs grow)
- Custom solar arrays over 1,600W
- Direct 12V power for devices without converter losses
- 10-15 year lifespan with quality components vs 3-5 years for portable stations
A 200Ah LiFePO4 battery + Victron MPPT + Victron inverter/charger costs roughly $1,200-1,800 DIY for an equivalent system to a $1,500 portable station — with triple the lifespan.
The Hybrid Approach
Many experienced van lifers use both: a small portable station (EcoFlow River 2, 256Wh) for portable convenience, plus a built-in leisure battery for the main system. The portable unit handles laptop charging, small appliances, and can be taken out for picnics or shore-power top-ups at friends' houses.
Expert tip: If you're just starting van life and aren't ready to commit to a full electrical build, start with a 500-1000Wh portable power station. After 3-6 months of real use, you'll know exactly what power needs you have — and you can use the portable unit as a backup battery when you build your permanent system.