Electrical kit guide
Two parameters are all you need to choose your electrical kit: battery size (your battery life) and 12V→230V inverter power (determined by your mains appliances). This guide helps you set both, then choose the right Vanpower pack. All our kits are certified ECE R10 and compatible with VASP registration documents.
1. What battery size do you need?
Battery capacity (in Ah, ampere-hours) determines how long you can remain self-sufficient without recharging. The higher the value, the longer you can run and the more appliances you can use at the same time. Our batteries are LiFePO4 lithium, the most high-performance and durable technology.
| Battery | Indicative battery life | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Ah | ~ 1 day | 1 fridge + a few 12V accessories (lighting, USB, water pump). Weekends and simple use. |
| 200 Ah | ~ 2 days | 1 fridge + several 12V accessories running simultaneously, plus occasional use of a small 230V appliance. Regular use. |
| 314 Ah ⭐ recommended | Long battery life | Full-time van life and extended use of 230V appliances. Maximum comfort. |
Estimates for typical use (fridge + 12V accessories). Actual battery life depends on your appliances and recharging (solar, mains, alternator), all included in our kits.
2. What inverter power do you need?
The 12V→230V inverter powers your mains appliances (those that do not run on 12V: microwaves, kettles, hair dryers…). Its power has nothing to do with battery life: it is determined by the most power-hungry 230V appliance you want to connect.
The method: find the power consumption in watts (W) on your appliance’s rating plate, then choose an inverter that delivers 1.25 to 1.5× this power (to allow for the startup surge). Example: an appliance rated at 800 W → 1000 to 1200 W inverter.
| Inverter | Which 230V appliances |
|---|---|
| Without 230V | Fridge, USB and 12V are all you need (you can add an inverter later). |
| 600 W | Laptop and small, low-energy appliances. |
| 1000 W | A small 230V appliance such as a mini-oven or microwave. |
| 1500 W | One powerful appliance such as a kettle (~1200 W). 314 Ah Battery recommended. |
| 2000 W | Several appliances at the same time (coffee maker + microwave...). 314 Ah Battery recommended. |
The inverter includes a 20A AC/DC charger and an automatic bypass: when connected to mains power (campsite, 230V parking hookup), it powers your appliances AND recharges the battery, with no manual intervention. Need more than 2000 W (induction hob, air conditioner)? Request a custom quote.
3. Vanpower pack comparison
The three packs share the same Victron components (Orion-TR Smart 30A DC/DC charger + MPPT 100/30 solar charge controller), 3-source charging (solar, mains, alternator), the optional 230V inverter and ECE R10 / VASP certification. Here is what sets them apart:
| VANPOWER | VANPOWER SMART | SMART LITE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LiFePO4 Battery included | ✓ choice of 100 / 200 / 314 Ah | ✓ choice of 100 / 200 / 314 Ah | ✗ to be added (or your own) |
| Switches | 12V, 5-way box | SMART-connected | SMART-connected |
| Phone control | — | ✓ controllable switches | ✓ controllable switches |
| Bluetooth monitoring | Battery + Victron | Battery + Victron + switches | Victron + switches |
| Victron components | DC/DC Orion 30A + MPPT 100/30 | DC/DC Orion 30A + MPPT 100/30 | DC/DC Orion 30A + MPPT 100/30 |
| 230V inverter (600–2000 W) | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Solar / mains / alternator charging | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECE R10 / VASP certified | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ideal for | A complete turnkey kit, with a controlled budget | Maximum comfort, everything controlled from your phone | You already have a battery (or want to choose one separately) |
All packages come with a detailed wiring diagram, pre-sized connectors and protection devices, a step-by-step tutorial and free technical support. The system is fully repairable, component by component.
Not sure about your setup? Our team can build a custom package - contact our technical team, Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.