Whether it is a weekend at a campsite, a converted van or months of boondocking, power on the road comes down to the same thing: storing enough energy for your devices and putting it back each day from solar, your vehicle’s alternator or shore power.
Plan your mobile power
Battery sizeAdd your 12V fridge, lights, fans and devices to size your battery.Open →
RuntimeSee how long your battery lasts overnight.Open →
Roof or portable solarFind the panel watts that keep you topped up.Open →
Typical camping and van power needs
| Trip style | Typical daily use | Common setup |
|---|---|---|
| Tent camping weekend | 100–300Wh (phones, lights, fan) | 300–500Wh power station |
| Car camping with 12V fridge | 500–800Wh | 1,000Wh power station + 200W solar |
| Van life, working remotely | 1,000–2,000Wh (fridge, laptop, Starlink, fan) | 2,000Wh+ battery + 400W+ roof solar |
Three ways to recharge on the road
- Solar: free and silent; best for long stays and boondocking.
- Vehicle charging: a 12V car socket charges slowly (often around 100W); a dedicated alternator charger is much faster.
- Shore power: plugging in at a campground is the fastest way to a full battery.
Guides in this section
Van build power plans, campground tips and 12V fridge guides are in the RV, Van & Camping Power guides archive.