How To Size Your Solar
Because No One Wants to Run Out of PowerWondering how to figure out how much solar you need in your van?
Wondering how to figure out how much solar you need in your van? You’ve come to the right place.
Properly sizing your solar setup can save you thousands of dollars in your van build…save the money, and go adventuring instead! We’ve build this solar calculator to help you do just that.
Check out the video below for a step by step instruction on how to calculate your solar needs.
Happy travels!
-Hayley & Jake
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Wondering what we chose?
Well, after much deliberation, calculation, and research we went with:
- 400W Solar
- 200Ah Lithium Batteries (with space for a third)
- 3000W Inverter Charger
Choosing your components can be hard, so we’ve made a list of everything that went into our electrical system. We chose to go with mostly Renogy components. By doing this we ensure that everything can work together and talk to each other.
Bonus: we can monitor our entire system (minus the inverter) from our phones over bluetooth! No shunt or battery monitor needed.
Electrical
Main Components
Renogy Smart Lithium Battery – 100Ah
Solar Panel – 100W
DCDC MPPT Charger – 50A
Renogy Rover Elite MPPT Solar Controller – 40A
Inverter Charger – 3000W
Renogy Bluetooth Module
Solar Accessories
Solar Adaptor Cables
Inline MC4 Fuse – 30A
Solar Branch Connector
Solar Panel Mounting Kit
Cable Entry Housing
Fuses
ANL Fuse with Holder – 70A
ANL Fuse with Holder – 80A
ANL Fuse with Holder – 150A
ANL Fuse with Holder – 300A
Terminal Fuse – 150A
Terminal Fuse Block
Wires & Terminal Lugs
Two Conductor Wire – 14 AWG
Welding Cable – 4/0AWG
Welding Cable – 4AWG
Terminal Lug – 4AWG 3/8″
Terminal Lug – 4AWG 5/16″
Terminal Lug – 4/0AWG 3/8″
Other Components & Accessories