1) Vanlife profile & typical needs

• Cold : 12 V refrigerator/cooler with compressor (30–60 W in operation; daily consumption 200–500 Wh depending on the weather).
• Lighting : LED strips/garlands (2–10 W each) + reading lamp.
• Comfort : 12 V 5–10 W fans , extractor, 12 V shower/pump, independent heating (non-electric) if winter.
• Connected : 2–4 smartphones , 1–2 tablets , 4G/5G router, USB-C laptop (45–100 W).
• Outdoor : drones, cameras, headlamps → USB charging.

Objectives: last 24 hours without mains power, recharge while driving , supplement with 160 W solar power on a spot, and remain silent at night.

2) Choose the station: capacity (Wh), power (W), chemistry

• Ability
  • ~300 Wh : mini set (LED + phones + pump, very economical fridge in mild weather).
  • ~512 Wh : vanlife sweet spot (compressor fridge + LED + fan + recharges + occasional laptop).
  • ~700 Wh : summer/heatwave margin, teleworking, more simultaneous devices.
• AC 230V (pure sine) : 500–700W is sufficient for chargers and non-DC devices (keep AC for exceptions).
• Chemistry : LiFePO4 = longevity, thermal stability, on-board safety.
• Inputs : fast mains, MPPT solar, 12V car (charging while driving).
• Display : % battery + W in/out to control consumption live.

300/512/700 Wh stations

3) Essential ports: 12V regulated , USB-C 100W , pure sine AC

• 12V regulated (cigarette lighter socket + DC outputs): fridge, fans, pump, router. Higher efficiency than AC.
• USB-C Power Delivery 100W : Powers your laptop , portable monitor, hubs. Use a 5A e-marker cable .
• USB-A : 12–18 W for phones, cameras, lamps.
• AC 230 V pure sine wave : for devices without DC/USB alternative (special chargers, small, very punctual mixer).

4) 12 V fridge (compressor vs thermo): actual consumption & settings

• Compressor : the right choice for a van. 30–60 W in operation, variable duty cycle → ~200–500 Wh/d depending on volume, insulation, weather, setpoint.
• Thermoelectric : simple but energy-intensive in hot weather → 300–600 Wh/day, to be avoided for autonomy.
• Settings : pre-cooled at home; loads food already fresh; setpoint 4°C day / 6–7°C night; avoids repeated openings.
• Connection : 12 V direct (regulated socket). Short & thick cable (see §13.3) to limit voltage drop.
• Placement : free ventilation; protects from the sun; wedge to prevent vibrations.

5) Ventilation & comfort: fans, extractor, night

• 12V fans : 5–10W each. Two small fans opposite each other are better than one large one (gentle & quiet flow).
• Extraction : a small 12 V (10–15 W) extractor removes heat & humidity after showering/meals.
• Night : Aim for <40 dB(A). Position the station outside the sleeping area to avoid any ventilation noise.
• Tip : USB-C → USB fans (5 V) in “low consumption” mode for the night.

6) LED lighting & ambiance

• Dimmable 12 V LED strips (3–8 W/m) + 1–3 W reading lights.
• Temperature : 2700–3000 K for cozy atmosphere; 4000 K for kitchen.
• Wiring : regulated 12V outputs + clean DC splitter, accessible switches .

7) Water: 12 V pump/shower, filtration & safety

• 12 V pump : 12–24 W, intermittent use → low impact over the day.
• Duchette : 12 V portable (12–24 W). Dry storage; waterproof connectors.
• Filtration : if you take water from nature, favor filter/gravity bag (zero energy).
• Safety : always isolate electricity from water; use 12 V in wet areas.

8) Autonomy: formulas & examples 300/512/700 Wh

 Autonomie (h) ≈ Capacité(Wh) × Rendement / Charge(W)
 USB-C/12 V ≈ 0,90 | AC ≈ 0,85

“Balanced summer” profile : fridge ~350 Wh/d (~15 W average) + 30 Wh LED + 50 Wh fans + 40 Wh chargers + 60 Wh laptop → ~195 W·h/8 h active, ~500 Wh/d total.

• 512 Wh → typical day if solar top-up midday/pm.
• 700 Wh → margin without solar 24 h, + evening comfort.

“Nomadic teleworking” profile : fridge 300 Wh/d + router 10 W × 8 h (80 Wh) + laptop 55 W × 4 h (220 Wh) + LED/fans 80 Wh → ~680 Wh/d .

• 700 Wh → 1 day autonomy without solar; aims for 160 W MPPT to last the week.

“Cool night / out of fridge” profile : 40 Wh LED + 30 Wh fans + 40 Wh refills → ~110 Wh (a small 300 Wh is more than enough).

9) 160 W solar (MPPT): portable top-up

• Realistic output : 160 W → 110–135 W useful in the sun (correct angle, short cables).
• Daily gain : 2–3 h → +220 to +405 Wh → enough to compensate for most of the fridge.
• Placement : panel facing the sun , correct the angle 2–3×/day; ban partial shade (trees, gallery).
• Cables : Thick & short MC4/DC (16–14 AWG). Store in a dry & clean place.

See 120–160 W panels

10) Charging while driving: 12 V car (alternator)

• 12V car input : 60–120W typical depending on vehicle/outlet. Perfect for recharging the battery between two spots.
• Good reflex : plug in after starting , unplug before switching off (avoids voltage dips).
• Cigarette lighter socket : respect the amperage and fuse (often 10–15 A). Use the cable provided by the station.
• Ventilation : charging while driving = heat → keeps the station ventilated, in the shade, away from objects.
• Permanent : For advanced fixed installations, we prefer dedicated DC-DC chargers . For nomadic use, the 12 V socket is sufficient.

11) Organization & safety on board

• Fixing : anchored station (straps/rings) for braking/turning. Never under a duvet/carpet (ventilation).
• Network : dedicated 12V router (or eco 4G sharing); antenna near a window for better reception and lower consumption.
• 12V distribution : DC fuse distributor per line (fridge/fans/pump). Polarities respected.
• Cables : USB-C 5A e-marker , thick DC/MC4, minimum lengths, color labeling.
• Humidity : 12V is preferred in humid areas; protected connectors; ventilated box for the station if there is condensation.
• Thermal : the hotter it is, the more the fans run → place in the shade & air the van.

12) Ready scenarios

13) Practical tables

13.1 Typical consumption

13.2 Station × recommended sign

13.3 Sections & fuses (low voltage 12–20 V)

13.4 Solar midday (120–160 W, MPPT)

14) Vanlife express checklist

1. Capacity : 512 Wh (road) or 700 Wh (summer/teleworking).
2. Ports : 12V regulated , USB-C 100W , AC sine , MPPT .
3. Fridge : 12 V compressor, 12 V direct , short & thick cables.
4. LED & fans : 12 V dimmable, silent.
5. Solar : 160W (kickstands), thick MC4/DC, angle corrected.
6. Driving : 12V car charging (connect after starting, disconnect before stopping).
7. Cables : USB-C 5A e-marker , fused DC distribution.
8. Safety : station secured, dry, ventilated; polarities respected.

15) LymobileShop Selection

16) FAQ vanlife & energy

17) Trust & Services LymobileShop

• Delivery : free in France, fast shipping.
• Payment : secure, several methods to choose from.
• After-sales service : team in France, tailor-made 12V/USB-C/MPPT/vanlife advice.
• Returns & Warranty : 14 days to change your mind, 2 year warranty .

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