Vanlife Store blog article — May 2026 · Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Summary

1. The marketing trap: what "Smart" means (and what it does NOT mean)
2. The 100% identical components between the two kits
3. The only real difference: the switch box
4. Side-by-side technical comparison
5. How much it really costs
6. Which one to choose based on your profile
7. What you need to plan for in addition

Why this article exists

When you read "Smart" on a van electrical kit, you imagine a technical revolution: mobile app, remote control, intelligence everywhere. The reality is simpler, and that’s why some converters pay 150 € for a comfort they won’t use.

This article compares the two VANPOWER 12-230 kits without marketing nonsense. Both are excellent kits, built around the same Victron base. We explain exactly what changes, and for whom the extra cost is justified.

1. The marketing trap: what "Smart" means (and what it does NOT mean)

First point to clarify — and it costs 150 €: both VANPOWER kits already include Bluetooth on their Victron components. This is not an advantage of the Smart.

Specifically, on the classic version as on the Smart version, you monitor via the VictronConnect app on your smartphone:

• The real-time state of charge of the LiFePO4 battery
• The MPPT solar production
• The DC/DC charger consumption while driving
• The mains charger when you are connected to 230V

The "Smart" distinction only concerns the control of the 12V switches — that is, turning your lights, 12V outlets, and ventilation on or off from your phone. It's useful, but that's all the Smart adds.

2. Components 100% identical between the two kits

Here is the exact list of what you find in both versions:

Victron LiFePO4 Bluetooth Battery

Core of the system. Configurable in 100 Ah, 200 Ah or 314 Ah depending on your use. LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) technology is now the market standard: over 3000 charge cycles, no memory effect, Bluetooth monitoring via VictronConnect. See the range of batteries for van.

12V → 230V inverter with integrated charger

This is the component that turns your van into a home with 230V outlets "just like at home." Power options:

• 600 W — laptop, small 230V devices
• 1000 W — travel-type mini microwave
• 1500 W — kettle around 1200 W
• 2000 W — multiple devices at once (coffee maker + microwave)

Important feature: integrated 20A AC/DC charger with automatic bypass. When you plug the van into mains power (campground, parking), the inverter automatically switches: it powers your 230V devices from the mains AND charges the battery in parallel. No handling, no risk of error.

Victron Orion-TR Smart 12-12 / 30A DC/DC charger

Charges the leisure battery while driving from the vehicle's alternator. 30 A means about 30 Ah recovered per hour of driving. Victron Bluetooth included.

Victron SmartSolar MPPT solar regulator 100/30

Optimizes the output of solar panels from 300 to 500 W (compatible with standard domestic panels). The MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) extracts up to 30% more energy than a classic PWM regulator. Victron Bluetooth included.

Circuit breaker, fuses, and terminals pack

Everything needed to secure the installation according to VASP requirements (French registration for converted vehicle). Components CE / R10 certified.

Electrical diagram + step-by-step tutorial

Detailed plan adapted to your setup, plus technical support offered by the Vanlife Store team during installation.

3. The only real difference: the switch box

The entire "Smart difference" lies in a single component: the Connected kit distribution box + 8-output Bluetooth switch panel. Sold alone for 179 €, included in the Smart pack for an additional 150 €.

On the classic VANPOWER 12-230

You receive a 12V fuse holder and a wired switch panel with charging sockets. Each switch is physically connected to its consumer. It's proven, reliable, but it multiplies the wires in the van.

On the VANPOWER SMART 12-230

The classic panel is replaced by an 8-output Bluetooth box with:

• 8 independent channels at 12V or 24V (fridge, lights, pump, ventilation, 12V sockets, etc.)
• Only one cable between the switch panel and the distribution box (instead of one wire per circuit)
• Direct Bluetooth control from your smartphone (Android and iOS), without Wi-Fi or data plan
• RGB panel with 5 brightness levels and silicone buttons
• Memory function that retains the last settings
• Dual power supply: ACC or leisure battery
• Complete protection against overvoltages and overheating

Practical consequence on site: half as much wiring to pull between the switch area and the distribution area. On a medium-sized van, you save about 1 to 2 days of work.

4. Side-by-side technical comparison

Criterion	VANPOWER 12-230	VANPOWER SMART 12-230
LiFePO4 leisure battery Bluetooth	✅ 100 / 200 / 314 Ah	✅ 100 / 200 / 314 Ah
Inverter 12V → 230V	✅ 600 to 2000 W	✅ 600 to 2000 W
AC/DC charger 20A + bypass	✅ integrated	✅ integrated
Victron Orion DC/DC charger 30A	✅	✅
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30	✅	✅
VictronConnect Bluetooth monitoring	✅	✅
CE / R10 / VASP certification	✅	✅
Bluetooth 8-way switch panel	❌ wired panel	✅ Bluetooth
Control lights / sockets from smartphone	❌	✅
Switch wiring ↔ distribution	Multiple wires	Only one cable
RGB panel + last settings memory	❌	✅
Prices starting from	1,249 €	1,549 €

💡 On mobile, swipe the table horizontally if needed.

5. How much does it really cost?

Let's break down the calculation, because this is where many converters make mistakes in their decision-making.

VANPOWER 12-230 (leisure battery 200 Ah)	1,249 €
VANPOWER SMART 12-230 (leisure battery 314 Ah)	1,549 €
Connected Bluetooth kit purchased separately	179 €
Additional cost of the connected kit in the Smart pack	+150 €

In other words: by buying the Smart pack rather than the classic pack, the Bluetooth box costs you €29 less than if bought separately. This is the bundling bonus.

At this stage, the question is no longer "is the Smart technically interesting" — it is. The question becomes: is the smartphone control comfort worth €150 for your personal use?

6. Which to choose according to your profile

Let's be direct: both kits are excellent kits. The choice depends on your builder profile.

Choose the classic VANPOWER 12-230 if...

• Your budget is tight and every €150 counts on the build
• You prefer minimalist systems, without dependence on a mobile app for vital functions
• You are building a temporary van (planned resale in 2 to 3 years) and want to limit investment
• You have few circuits to control (3-4 maximum) and Bluetooth centralization does not bring significant benefit
• You want 100% standard components easily replaceable without a proprietary app

Choose the VANPOWER SMART 12-230 if...

• You keep your van for a long time (5 to 10 years) — the comfort pays off over time
• You want to save 1 to 2 days of wiring on the build
• You live in your van full-time or on a long road trip
• You have 5 or more circuits to control (living room, ceiling, wardrobe, kitchen, ventilation, sockets) — centralization becomes a real advantage
• You appreciate the comfort of turning off all the lights from your bed or from outside the van

7. What to plan for additionally

The all-in-one pack provides the essentials. To complete your installation, also plan for:

• Electrical wires cut to length — different gauges depending on consumers. Available in our electrical cables collection.
• Solar panels 300 to 500 W — standard domestic panels compatible with the included SmartSolar 100/30 MPPT. See the solar collection. For sizing, count about 100 W of panel for 5 to 7 Ah/day depending on the season.
• Electric crimping pliers — available at major DIY stores, investment €30 to €50
• Essential tools: wire stripper, multimeter. Budget €50 to €80 for a kit that will serve you for a long time.

To explore the entire electrical catalog, visit the Vanlife Store Electricity collection.

In summary

• The classic and SMART VANPOWER 12-230 share 95% of their components — same LiFePO4 leisure battery, same Victron Bluetooth, same inverter, same MPPT.
• The only difference is the Bluetooth 8-output switch box (€179 sold separately, +€150 in the pack).
• The Smart makes sense for long-kept Campervans, with multiple circuits, where the comfort of smartphone control pays off daily.
• The classic makes sense for tight budgets, temporary vans, or simple setups with 3-4 circuits.
• In both cases, you get a kit certified CE / R10 compatible with VASP approval, delivered within 48 to 72 hours.

Take action

→ See the VANPOWER SMART 12-230 · from €1,549
→ See the classic VANPOWER 12-230 · from €1,249
→ Browse all VANPOWER electrical kits

A question before buying?

Write to us at contact@vanlife-store.com or contact us via private message on Instagram. Our team answers all your questions, including compatibility with your van model and the leisure battery configuration best suited to your use.

Article written by the Vanlife Store team — May 2026. All our kits are assembled in France and delivered within 48 to 72 hours. CE / R10 certified components compatible with VASP approval.