Calculate Power Consumption in the Van
- Step 1: Multiply the power ratings of the appliances in watts by their usage duration in hours.
- Step 2: This yields power consumption in watt-hours (Wh).
- Step 3: Divide this value by the battery voltage (e.g., 12 V) to obtain power consumption in ampere-hours (Ah).
Here's a small calculator:
Usually found on the label on the bottom or back of the device.
minutes
Individual Consumer Consumption
Ah / Day
Total Consumption
Ah / Day
This is just a rough estimate of actual power consumption. Note that with most batteries except lithium, typically only about 60% of the specified capacity is usable.
Solar Panel Calculator
Enter your total daily power consumption (from the calculator above) to find out how many solar panels you need for your van build.
Ah / day
Use the power calculator above to find this number. Tip: add 20% buffer for cloudy days.
Central Europe: ~4h. Southern Europe/USA: ~5-6h. Check your travel region.
Solar Watts Needed
100W panels
200W panels
400W panels
* Calculated at 80% system efficiency (typical for real-world conditions including wiring losses, charge controller, and partial shade).
