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
| Charge source | Power | Install cost | Time to fill 200Ah LiFePO4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shore power 30A (120V) | 3.6kW | $50-200 | 2-4h |
| Solar 400W | 400W | $400-800 | 5-8h (sun) |
| DC-DC charger 30A | ~360W | $150-200 | 6-8h driving |
| Generator 2kW | 2kW | $500-800 | 3-5h |
About this tool
Plugging a converted van into a campsite hookup unlocks overnight battery charging, running 230V appliances, and full electrical autonomy even on cloudy days. Setting it up correctly takes about 3 hours and €100-150 in parts — but skipping safety steps creates a genuinely dangerous installation.
The shore power path in a van: CEE 16A blue inlet socket → 2.5mm² H05VV-F cable → 30mA RCD breaker → battery charger (and optionally 230V sockets for direct appliance use). That RCD is non-negotiable: it disconnects within 30ms when any leakage current over 30mA is detected — the threshold that prevents ventricular fibrillation from accidental contact.
For the battery charger, sizing matters. A 12V/25A charger (Victron BlueSmart IP67, €120) provides 300W charging — enough to fully charge a 200Ah LiFePO4 overnight in 7-8 hours. For a 300Ah bank or if you want faster charging, step up to the 12V/30A unit (€145) or the IP22 40A series (€185). Both have Bluetooth monitoring and built-in LiFePO4 profiles.
An alternative approach popular in motorhome conversions: install a combined inverter/charger (Victron Multiplus 12-1200-50, €450) that serves as both your inverter when off-grid and your charger when shore power is connected. The automatic transfer switch engages within 20ms when shore power is detected — so any running 230V appliances never notice the source switch.
Practical campsite reality: European sites typically offer either 6A (1380W) or 10A (2300W) hookups, occasionally 16A. At 6A, running the charger and a laptop simultaneously is fine. Running the charger + induction cooktop = 2A + 167A = 169A is way over the 6A circuit limit. Always confirm the campsite amperage before planning your shore power usage for the night.
Weather and corrosion: CEE connectors are rated IP44 (splash proof) minimum. All cable connections inside the van, especially where 230V passes through the chassis, must be IP55 rated or housed in a sealed enclosure. Marine-grade CEE inlets (SS or polycarbonate housing) last 10+ years in van conditions; cheap plastic units corrode within 2-3 seasons.
Type 1 vs Type 2 European shore power for vans: European campsite hookups use the CEE standard. Type 1 (Blue, 3-pin, 16A) provides 3.2kW max — sufficient for battery charging, laptops, and small appliances. Type 2 (Blue, 5-pin, 16A three-phase) provides up to 11kW — overkill for vans, but the same connector style. Most European campsites provide Type 1 CEE. Your shore power inlet on the van should be a CEE 16A female socket mounted in the exterior panel.
Charging rate reality from 16A shore: a 230V × 16A feed = 3680W. Your inverter-charger (e.g., Victron Multiplus 2000W at 50A charge rate) accepts 600W for battery charging at 12V (50A × 12V), leaving 3080W available for AC loads. This means you can charge and use a coffee machine simultaneously without tripping the campsite breaker. If you pull more than 3680W total (16A × 230V), the campsite breaker trips — common mistake when running a 2kW electric heater + EV charger + everything else.
Safety requirement for van shore power: an RCD (Residual Current Device / GFCI) is mandatory for any AC installation in a living space under European electrical standards. Install a 30mA DIN-rail RCD between the CEE inlet and your inverter-charger input. Cost: €20-30 for a quality Legrand or ABB unit. Non-negotiable — this is the device that prevents electrocution if water enters the electrical compartment.