What size solar generator for camper van?
Check, uncheck or adjust the typical device list below — watts, startup surge and battery size update instantly. Numbers come from U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer spec sheets, not marketing copy.
1. Check what you need to power
Refrigeration & Freezers
Kitchen
Heating, Cooling & Fans
Water & Pumps
Laundry & Cleaning
Electronics & Office
- 2
Medical Devices
Power Tools & Outdoor
Lighting
- 3
2. Your sizing
3. Best cross-brand matches
No single portable power station covers this load — look at expandable systems (e.g., EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 + extra battery, Anker SOLIX F3800 expansion packs) or a fixed home battery instead.
Static answer (crawlable summary)
Typical device list: Portable AC (10,000 BTU, single-hose)×1, Starlink Standard (Gen 3)×1, Portable 12V Fridge/Freezer (Dometic CFX3 45 class)×1, Induction Cooktop (portable single burner)×1, Blender×1, Laptop Computer×2, LED Bulb (60W equivalent)×3, Phone / Smartphone Charger×3.
| Continuous load | 3,789 W |
|---|---|
| Startup peak | 6,049 W (driven by 1× Portable AC (10,000 BTU, single-hose)) |
| Daily energy use | 14,725 Wh |
| Recommended capacity | 18,410 Wh (25% margin included) |
| Minimum inverter | 4,170 W continuous |
Frequently asked questions
What size solar generator for camper van?
For a typical setup (portable ac (10,000 btu, single-hose), starlink standard (gen 3), portable 12v fridge/freezer (dometic cfx3 45 class), induction cooktop (portable single burner) and blender), you need at least 3,789W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× portable ac (10,000 btu, single-hose) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 6,049W. For overnight runtime we recommend at least 18,410Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 14,725Wh per day, plus a 25% margin).
Which power stations can handle this?
Look for a station whose surge rating covers 6,049W and whose capacity is at least 18,410Wh.
Why is the startup surge higher than the running watts?
Motor-driven devices (fridge compressors, well pumps, air conditioners) draw 2-5× their running power for a split second at startup — measured as locked-rotor amps (LRA). A generator that only meets the running load will trip or stall when the biggest motor starts. Our data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified product database, and manufacturer spec sheets (Franklin Electric, Goodman, Zoeller).