RV/Van Life Electrical Load Calculator
Created by: Ethan Brooks
Last updated:
Calculate your total daily electrical load by adding all your RV or van appliances. Get watt-hour totals, amp-hour requirements at 12V or 24V, and understand your peak power draw for system planning.
What is an RV/Van Life Electrical Load Calculator?
An RV/Van Life Electrical Load Calculator helps you determine your daily power consumption in watt-hours (Wh). By listing all electrical devices and their usage patterns, you can accurately calculate how much energy you need per day—essential for sizing your solar panels and battery bank correctly.
Whether you're planning a van build, upgrading your RV electrical system, or just want to understand your power needs, this calculator provides a comprehensive breakdown of your energy consumption.
Understanding Electrical Load Calculations
Watts (W): Power draw of a device at any moment (voltage × amps)
Watt-hours (Wh): Energy consumed over time (watts × hours)
Amp-hours (Ah): Battery capacity measure (Wh ÷ voltage)
Basic Formula: Daily Wh = Device Watts × Hours Used Per Day
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my van's daily power consumption?
List each electrical device, multiply its watts by hours used daily to get watt-hours (Wh). Add all devices together. For devices with variable draw (like fridges), use the average consumption rating. Most van setups use 800-2000Wh per day depending on lifestyle.
How many watts does a 12V fridge use?
12V compressor fridges typically use 30-60 watts when running, but cycle on/off. Daily consumption averages 25-50Ah (300-600Wh) depending on size, ambient temperature, and how often you open it. Check your fridge's specs for actual average daily draw.
Can I run a coffee maker in my van?
Yes, but they're power-hungry. A standard drip coffee maker uses 600-1200W for 5-10 minutes (50-200Wh per brew). Consider a 12V kettle or pour-over method to reduce power needs. If using AC appliances, you need an adequately sized inverter.
How do I account for inverter efficiency?
Inverters are 85-95% efficient, meaning you lose 5-15% of power in conversion. When running AC devices, multiply the device's consumption by 1.1-1.15 to account for this loss. Pure sine wave inverters are typically more efficient than modified sine.
What's the difference between running watts and starting watts?
Running watts is the continuous power a device needs. Starting (surge) watts is the extra power needed to start motors - typically 2-3x running watts for a few seconds. This affects inverter sizing but not daily consumption calculations.
How much power does working remotely from a van use?
Remote work typically adds 200-500Wh/day: laptop (50-80W × 4-8 hrs), monitor if used (30-50W), phone charging, and mobile hotspot/router. A dedicated work day might use 400-600Wh just for work equipment.
Should I include phantom/standby loads?
Yes, phantom loads add up. Devices on standby (chargers, inverters, monitors) draw 1-15W continuously. An inverter on standby might use 10-25W × 24 hours = 240-600Wh/day. Turn off devices not in use or use switches to cut standby draw.
How do I measure actual power consumption?
Use a battery monitor (Victron BMV, Renogy, etc.) or a DC power meter to track real consumption. For individual devices, use a Kill-A-Watt meter for AC devices or a DC ammeter for 12V devices. Real measurements are more accurate than specifications.
Sources and References
- Explorist.life, "Van Life Electrical System Guide", 2024
- FarOutRide, "Camper Van Electrical Calculator", faroutride.com
- Parked In Paradise, "Van Life Power Consumption Guide", parkedinparadise.com