How does the Electrical Planner work?
De Elektra Planner combineert al je berekeningen in één overzichtelijke flow.
Consumption as starting point
The Electrical Planner starts with your consumption profile. By entering your appliances, their wattage and daily usage hours, we calculate your daily energy consumption in Wh. This is the basis for all further calculations.
Integrated calculations
Based on your consumption, the tool automatically calculates: required battery capacity (accounting for depth of discharge and autonomy days), recommended inverter (if you use 230V), the right MPPT charge controller (if you have solar panels), and per circuit the cable size and fuse rating.
Schema with recommendations
The result is an electrical schema with all calculated values. For each cable you see the recommended size and fuse. The battery, inverter and MPPT show their recommended capacity. You can download this schema as PNG or print it.
Assumptions and defaults
When you add a charging source, the planner uses default values as a starting point: solar panel 200W with 4 peak sun hours per day, B2B charger 30A with 2 driving hours per day, shore power 20A with 4 hours per day. Charging efficiency is 85%. Depth of discharge (DoD) is 80% for lithium and 50% for AGM. All default values are adjustable. Cable sizing and fuse calculations use the same formulas as the individual calculators.
Sizing solar panels for your camper van
The planner uses this formula to recommend solar panel wattage (Wp): Wp = (daily consumption in Wh ÷ peak sun hours) ÷ system efficiency In Northern Europe count on 3-4 peak sun hours (PSH) per day on a yearly average. Southern Europe gives 5-6 PSH. A peak sun hour equals one hour at 1000 W/m² irradiance, the standard test condition for panel ratings. System efficiency typically lands at 70-80% (losses in MPPT charge controller, cables and battery). Example: 1500 Wh per day consumption ÷ 4 PSH ÷ 0.75 = about 500 Wp of solar needed for an average European summer day. For winter autonomy count on 1-2 PSH, which doubles the required panel size. The Electrical Planner factors all this in and outputs the recommended panel wattage, matching MPPT charge controller current and minimum cable cross-section from panel to controller.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Electrical Planner replace the individual calculators?
No, the Electrical Planner combines the calculations from the cable calculator, fuse calculator, battery calculator, inverter calculator and MPPT calculator into one flow. For detailed calculations per component, you can still use the individual tools.
How accurate are the calculations?
The calculations provide a good guideline but are not a substitute for professional advice. The tool uses standard values for cable resistance, fuse derating and solar yield. When in doubt, always consult a professional.
Can I use the schema for vehicle inspection?
The schema is a simplified block diagram, not a technical installation drawing. It can help with planning, but for official vehicle inspection you may need a more detailed schema that meets relevant standards.
Why does the planner recommend a larger battery than expected?
The battery bank is calculated for worst-case: multiple days without charging. Additionally, depth of discharge is factored in (80% for LiFePO4, 50% for AGM). The scenario bar chart shows how much less you need with charging.
Can I use the diagram to build myself?
The diagram is a planning aid, not an installation drawing. It provides correct cable sizes, fuses and components. Always have the final installation checked by a professional.
How do I connect multiple batteries in parallel?
Use the diagonal method: connect the main positive cable to the first battery and the main negative cable to the last battery. This equalises resistance for each battery so they wear evenly. Do not connect both main cables to the same battery.
Where should the shunt be placed?
The shunt must be the only connection between the battery negative terminal and the rest of the system. All negative cables (from MPPT, DC-DC charger, inverter, consumers) go to the negative busbar, not directly to the battery. Only then can the battery monitor measure all consumption and charging.
How thick should the earth cable be?
The cable from the negative busbar to the chassis (earth) should be at least as thick as your thickest positive cable. If you have an inverter, its earth terminal must also be connected to the chassis with a separate cable.
Can my inverter and 12V consumers run simultaneously?
Yes, but watch the total current. The main fuse protects the cable from battery to busbar. When your inverter runs at full power and all 12V consumers are on, the main fuse and cable must handle this total. The planner calculates this automatically.
What type of RCD do I need with an inverter?
Use a Type B RCD with an inverter. Standard Type A RCDs may not respond correctly to the DC component that some inverters produce. A Type B detects both AC and DC leakage currents, making it safer for camper installations with an inverter.
How many solar panels do I need for my camper van?
Rule of thumb: divide daily consumption (in Wh) by 3 to get required solar wattage in Wp for an average European summer. At 1000 Wh per day that means about 330 Wp of panels. For winter or full-time use, double it. The planner calculates this precisely based on your consumption profile and chosen peak sun hours.
What are peak sun hours (PSH) and which value should I use?
A peak sun hour is one hour at 1000 W/m² irradiance (the standard test condition for panel ratings). For Northern Europe count on roughly 3 PSH yearly average, 4-5 PSH in summer and 1-2 PSH in winter. Spain or Portugal: 5-6 PSH. For pan-European travel, 3 PSH is a safe planning value. The Electrical Planner lets you set this per charging source.
Which MPPT charge controller matches my solar panels?
MPPT current must match panel wattage ÷ system voltage, with about 20% headroom. 200 Wp on a 12V system: 200 ÷ 12 = 17A, so a 20A MPPT. 400 Wp on 12V: a 30A controller. Switching to 24V lets you size the controller smaller for the same wattage. The planner calculates this automatically.