No more electrical hasslein your camper van
Instantly size your battery, solar panels, and cables. The favorite tool of the vanlife community.
Leo's Picks
All equipment →The kit I recommend to every beginner. Plug it in, it works, and the included MPPT controller makes a real difference.
* Affiliate links — no extra cost to you.
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
RÉGULATEUR 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
What electrical setup for your van?
Answer 5 questions and get your personalized profile.
Take the quizTechnical Guides
More Expert Tools
Wiring Diagram Generator
Generate your wiring schematic with auto-calculated wire sizes and fuse ratings.
Insulation Calculator
Compare 5 materials (Thinsulate, PIR, Armaflex...) for 11 van models. R-values, cost, weight.
12V Fridge Finder
32 models compared: power draw, noise, price. Find the perfect fridge for your van.
Wire Size Calculator
Prevent fires: calculate proper wire gauge (mm²) based on distance and amps.
DC-DC Charger Size
Don't burn your alternator with Lithium batteries. Find the perfect charger rating.
Solar Simulator
Estimate your solar yield by vanlife destination.