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I spent 3 years in a van before meeting plenty of tiny house folks. The question always comes up: "Which is better for electrical independence?" The answer isn't as obvious as you'd think. The van has advantages the tiny doesn't, and vice versa. Here's my honest comparison after 5 years of off-grid living.
On the battery side, a van typically runs 200–400Ah of LiFePO4 (2.4–4.8 kWh). A tiny house needs 400–800Ah (4.8–9.6 kWh) because it consumes more: bigger fridge, washing machine, sometimes electric heating. For solar, a van fits 400–600W on its roof, while a tiny house easily accommodates 1,000–2,000W with a larger roof or ground-mounted panels.
⚡ Expert tip
If you're torn between van and tiny, start by listing your must-have appliances and calculate your daily consumption. Above 3,000Wh/day, the van will be too limiting — go tiny house.
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 LiFePO4 battery
126 Ah
(80% depth of discharge)
Recommended AGM battery
201 Ah
(50% depth of discharge)
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 electrical installation cost differs sharply. For a van, budget $1,000–5,000 for a complete autonomous setup. For a tiny house, it's more like $3,000–12,000 because needs are bigger and components larger (hybrid inverter, 48V batteries, full distribution panel).\n\nBut the tiny house has one massive advantage: roof area. With 1,500W of panels, it produces 6,000–7,000Wh/day in summer — enough for a nearly normal lifestyle. The van with its 400W is capped at 1,600–1,900Wh/day — you have to make compromises.\n\nThe van wins on mobility. Not enough sun in the Pacific Northwest? I drive south in 8 hours. The tiny house stays wherever it sits. In 2026, that energy mobility is worth its weight in gold.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tiny house off-grid electrical system cost?▼
Between $3,000 and $12,000 for the full installation: solar panels (1,000–2,000W), LiFePO4 batteries in 48V (400–800Ah), hybrid inverter, MPPT controller, and wiring. That's 2–3x more than a van, but covers much larger needs.
Can a van be as electrically autonomous as a tiny house?▼
In summer with modest usage, yes. But a tiny house with 1,500W solar and 800Ah battery provides a far more comfortable margin. The van forces compromises: no washing machine, smaller fridge, no electric oven.
What battery system for an off-grid tiny house?▼
48V is recommended for a tiny house (lower losses, thinner cables). A 200Ah pack at 48V (9.6 kWh) covers 2–3 days of autonomy. LiFePO4 is the obvious choice: 3,000+ cycles, 95% DoD, 10-year lifespan.
Is a tiny house more eco-friendly than a van?▼
Electrically, the tiny house is more efficient — better insulation, more solar capacity. But the van burns fuel to move. If you mostly stay put, the tiny wins. If you move a lot, the math gets complicated.
Can you live in a tiny house with no grid connection?▼
Yes, that's the whole point of off-grid tiny houses. With 1,500W solar and 10 kWh of battery, you cover 80–90% of annual needs. A backup generator ($500–1,000) handles tough winter stretches.
Recommended gear
Editor's PickLiFePO4 Battery 100Ah100% usable capacity, 3000+ cycles, built-in BMS.View on Amazon →Editor's PickComplete 200W Solar KitPanel + MPPT controller + cables, ready to install.View on Amazon →Pure Sine Wave Inverter 1000WPure sine wave, sensitive devices compatible, 12V→110V/230V.View on Amazon →Digital MultimeterMeasures voltage, current, resistance — essential for 12V wiring.View on Amazon →