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
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Insulation and safety
Comparison table
| Device | Power | Hours/day | Wh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink Mini | 25-30W | 8h | 200-240 |
| 4G WiFi router | 5-10W | 24h | 120-240 |
| Laptop 15" | 55-65W | 6h | 330-390 |
| Monitor 24" | 25-35W | 6h | 150-210 |
| Phone charges x2 | 10-15W | 2h | 20-30 |
| TOTAL Nomad | — | — | 820-1,110 |
About this tool
Starlink Van: Real Power Consumption and Battery Impact
Starlink Mini is SpaceX's most compact satellite internet kit, purpose-built for mobility. At 30×25cm and 1.1kg, it fits perfectly in a campervan. But understanding its real power draw before purchasing will save you from an undersized electrical system.
Measured real-world draw: In active use with stable connection, Starlink Mini consumes 20W to 45W depending on signal strength and weather. In standby-connected mode: ~10W. For 8 hours of remote work: 30W × 8h = 240Wh = 20Ah per day.
Power Consumption by Mode
| Mode | DC Power | 8h/day Impact | Battery 100Ah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal acquisition (startup) | 60-80W | 5 min | Negligible |
| Active streaming / video calls | 30-45W | 8h | 240-360Wh = 20-30Ah |
| Light web browsing | 20-30W | 8h | 160-240Wh = 13-20Ah |
| Standby connected | 8-12W | 16h | 128-192Wh = 10-16Ah |
Direct 12V Connection: Skip the Inverter
Starlink Mini has a 48V DC input. To power it from your 12V van system without inverter losses, you need a 12V→48V boost converter rated at 60W minimum. These adapters are available on Amazon for $25-45 and reduce losses to just 5-8%, vs 18-22% through an inverter.
Efficiency comparison for 8 hours of use:
- Through a 1000W inverter: 240Wh consumed + 48Wh inverter losses = 288Wh total
- Direct 12V boost cable: 240Wh + 16Wh converter losses = 256Wh total
The adapter pays for itself in energy savings within a few weeks.
Impact on Your Battery Budget
| Scenario | Total Daily Consumption | Recommended Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Basic van + Starlink 4h/day | 450-550Wh | 100Ah LiFePO4 |
| Remote work 8h + fridge | 900-1,100Wh | 200Ah LiFePO4 |
| Intensive work + video calls | 1,200-1,500Wh | 300Ah + 300W solar |
Solar Pairing for Starlink
In summer (5h peak sun in Southern UK/France), 100W of solar produces ~450Wh/day — enough to cover all of Starlink's consumption (240Wh/8h) with 200Wh remaining for other devices.
In winter (2h peak sun), 100W produces ~180Wh — barely enough for Starlink alone. You'll need to supplement with driving via a DC-DC charger. A 20A DC-DC charger running for 1 hour produces 240Wh — enough for a morning of work.
Expert tip: Enable "Power Saver" mode in the Starlink app to cut consumption by ~30% during lighter sessions. In power saver mode, consumption drops to 15-25W with no noticeable impact on email, social media, or standard web browsing.