How Much Solar Power Do I Need for My Camper? | How to Calculate Camper Solar System Size

EXPLORIST life Mobile Marine & Off-Grid Electrical

День тому

If you're asking yourself "How much solar power do I need for my camper?" you're in the right place. This video will teach you step-by-step, how much solar power do I need for my van. By the end of this video, you will have learned how much solar power you will use on a daily basis, how big of a battery bank you'll need, and how many watts of solar you need for your RV.
Interactive Solar Wiring Diagrams: www.explorist.life/solarwirin...
If you are looking for more detailed information, here are the resources mentioned in the video:
Blog Post (with spreadsheet): www.explorist.life/what-size-...
Our Solar Shop: www.EXPLORIST.life/shop
DIY Campervan Crew Facebook Group: / diycampervancrew
Referenced Solar Topics:
Free Solar Academy: Learn How-To Design and Install a Camper Solar Setup:
www.explorist.life/diy-camper...
Step 1: Learn the Basic Parts of a DIY Camper Solar Setup:
www.explorist.life/basic-part...
Step 2: Learn How Many Batteries You'll Need to Power Your Camper (Power Audit Calculator)
www.explorist.life/choosing-a...
Step 3: Choose the Type of Batteries You'll Use to Power Your Camper
www.explorist.life/how-many-s...
Step 4: Learn how many solar panels you'll need to charge your Batteries:
www.explorist.life/how-many-s...
Step 5: Learn how to choose the correct charge controller for your solar panels (with calculator)
www.explorist.life/how-to-cho...
Step 6: How to size and choose the inverter for your camper
www.explorist.life/how-to-cho...
Step 7: How to add Shore Power to your Camper Electrical System
www.explorist.life/how-to-add...
Step 8: Learn How to Charge your House batteries with your Engine Alternator:
www.explorist.life/how-to-cha...
Step 9: Learn How to Choose the correct Battery Isolator for your System:
www.explorist.life/how-to-ins...
Step 10: Learn how to Install and why you need a Battery Monitor:
www.explorist.life/how-to-ins...
Step 11: Learn how to choose wire sizes and types:
www.explorist.life/what-wire-...
Step 12: How to Size Fuses in your System:
www.explorist.life/what-size-...
Step 13: How to wire 12v Accessories in to your system:
www.explorist.life/how-to-wir...
Step 14: Learn how to wire Lights & Switches (Including 2 way switches):
www.explorist.life/how-to-wir...
See how it all works together in our Interactive Solar Wiring Diagrams:
www.explorist.life/solarwirin...

КОМЕНТАРІ: 318

@EXPLORISTlife 4 роки тому

*Blog Post (With Spreadsheet):* www.explorist.life/what-size-of-solar-system-is-needed-to-power-a-camper/ *Interactive Solar Wiring Diagrams:* www.explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams

@georgefenrich4119 4 роки тому

WOW, I had no idea that I would need (want) 600 AH of batteries! ! ! $,$$$ :(

@EXPLORISTlife 4 роки тому

Yeah. It can add up in a hurry. What was your biggest energy demand?

@derekraisor8451 4 роки тому

Nate, you are the man. Thanks for all the info and taking the time to explain the process and how do it right. I have a dumb question. If I need 300 watt solar panel why can't I buy (1) 300 watt panel and not (3) 100 watt panels? I was just thinking of (1) set of wires to run on the roof and into the van. I am sure you have addressed this before but I am looking for a reason to not buy (1) panel. Thanks and keep up the great work and helping people like myself Be safe and stay healthy

@EXPLORISTlife 4 роки тому

Thanks! Glad this has all helped. If you can fit a 300w panel; That's a fine choice. With 3x100w panels you gain a bit of extra voltage but I'd speculate those gains wouldn't be worth the hassle given most 300w panels are already 40+ volts anyway.

@NickGled 3 роки тому

THANK YOU! This has to be the best explanatory video on electrical usage and solar power requirements. I have downloaded the spreadsheet but, ask do I need to change anything for the UK and 230v standard appliances?

@deerob7956 4 роки тому

This dude is a rocket scientist.

@user-rq2mq8nx3f 3 місяці тому

I can't see the chart what website is this

@ourhomeontheroam3352 4 роки тому

Just wanted to say thank you for all your awesome content. We just started our van build out today and we've already found so many of your videos helpful for us! Thank you thank you!

@nelsoncasamalhuapa1554 4 роки тому

Great job on the spreadsheet, thank you for that. It will save me lots of time!

@Mark2790 4 роки тому

I just followed the link to your site. Brilliantly explained and answered my question perfectly. Thanks and keep up the good work.

@ROCKNROAD4X4 29 днів тому

Nate, you sir are a legend for creating and sharing your spreadsheet. I cannot thank you enough for the time and money you will be saving me when calculating and then deciding on my build components. Living in the UK where the sun is more like a UFO, solar efficiency is definitely not something i want to guess at. Top man, top channel, Happy Subscriber. Cheers.

@ds4050 4 роки тому

Thanks guys, I can't express how much your build, the solar information and all the tips you guys provide help me!

@lennieunderscoreboy 3 роки тому

Very informative, concise, not too fast not too slow , easy watching and clearly described thanks!

@kelliebeckham952 3 роки тому

Sir, you deserve some kind of metal for putting this spreadsheet together and making it available like this. Fantastic help!

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@fastway007 Рік тому

What kind of metal would you recommend, steel, iron or perhaps some aluminum. I on the other hand would maybe suggest a medal to show appreciation of his work…..just sayin

@VinceBadovinatz88 Рік тому

Gosh you are totally right 100%

@heathshaw1563 4 роки тому

Nate Great video. You guys always make videos that are great! Thanks for making our life easier on the DIY projects.

@jaykaydee5772 4 роки тому

Great job Nate! Good editing from your partner getting it down to 9 minutes! Very informative and hopefully I’ll use this soon . . .

@jimmyc15 4 роки тому

Wow, thanks so much for this! Makes things much clearer!!

@ThisNomadicIdea 4 роки тому

Thanks for putting in the hours to provide the RV community with a spreadsheet that is actually easy to use. Really appreciate all the hard work.

@thisdaveisforyou 4 роки тому

Fantastic video! Short, digestible, and informative. I'll be sure to use your Amazon site when ordering.

@jamesm4435 4 роки тому

Amazingly helpful video. Thank you for taking the time to make that spreadsheet.

@happycamper5193 4 роки тому

This was a incredible idea. This will help me alot when I get to our build.

@pbaylis1 4 роки тому

This is so useful and thorough. A man after my own heart. Subscribed.

@user-vt5hx1kz7l 4 роки тому

What a great video! Nate, you sir are a legend. We have just started our van build and I've been watching UKposts videos all day, and yours are by far the best, most concise and easy to understand. Thank you for providing such great content.

@fishhuntadventure 3 роки тому

things often are very hard to understand when being explained by people who regurgitate but don’t actually know what they’re doing. This guy has useful info as opposed to most others

@tanja8907 4 роки тому

Great video thank you. It's guys like you that make society so much better.

@skeeeeeter1002 3 роки тому

I never comment but this was SO HELPFUL DUDE. I have been so stressed over my conversion and especially the solar and this helped me so much. Cant believe you don't have well over a million subs, just gained one more though. Thank you again dude

@frogz2006rule 4 роки тому

Dear god im so happy to have found this. Youre amazing.

@shellieneubauer8490 2 роки тому

You're amazing. Best 10 minute s of my year. Seriously, thank you!

@mannab2975 Рік тому

I am thankful for your help and appreciate your videos!! You are obviously very competent and geared to master this difficult topic!! Your videos are great and complete!! Need not to watch anything else!! Thank you, great work!!

@chrisrea7347 4 роки тому

You are amazing, clear and helpful; thank you.

@kjonesy4142 4 роки тому

Glad we came across your info, going to be very helpful!!👍

@moroccobama 4 роки тому

You're doing a wonderful service.

@cjmiles7 2 роки тому

Man this video is so helpful! He work you put into this with the spreadsheets is amazing. An extra step you didn’t have to do for us. Much appreciated!

@EXPLORISTlife 2 роки тому

Hey cjmiles7, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

@bradheward140 3 роки тому

Great information and very helpful. Straight to the point video! Thank you.

@scott4fire 3 роки тому

So stoked I found this series of videos to help guide us thru our project. Amazingly well done. Thank you!

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Hey Scott Dailey, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

@mikegreb9766 3 роки тому

outstanding. The spreadsheets are exactly what I have been looking for. Its like the missing link for all things solar

@henrikm4657 4 роки тому

Great info as usual!

@rose8662 4 роки тому

Thank you so much! This was really helpful! 💖

@rvscootin3457 4 роки тому

Another AWESOME posting!!!

@andreajaquelinearellanodia6250 4 місяці тому

I'm so impressed on the super valuable information and the staright to the point explanation! I appreciate this and keep up the good work

@loganvendrix6332 3 роки тому

Hey, I just wanted to let you know this video and your excel sheet really helped me figure out how much solar power and batteries I need in my campervan. There are so many numbers and things to pay attention to, but you made it easy. Thanks a lot!

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@ericstewart8993 2 роки тому

This is so thorough! Awesome.

@Nikitafrom233 3 роки тому

Amazing work done, many thanks for the content)

@SaMiChi 4 роки тому

For a beginner trying to get electrical system together, this is really helpful, thanks!

@EXPLORISTlife 4 роки тому

Very welcome!

@EvaMonteiroevamonteiroalmeida 3 роки тому

Best spent 9 minutes of my day. Thank you for doing this.

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@donaldcarbone2073 4 роки тому

Very helpful. Great not having bad background music. Going to subscribe.

@max-zl1vm 4 роки тому

You're amazing, thanks for posting

@lakishabaldwin3972 3 роки тому

Thank you so much, this is going to help me so much for my mini bus conversion!

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@garfiale 4 роки тому

I'm an overplanner, and love to go through all the aspects of these builds to ensure I'm maximizing my space, time, value, and money spent. So far your videos are head and tails above the rest, are far more informative, and really well done. Those spreadsheets are incredible, and they save people a bundle of time. It would take me hours to go back, re learn basic electrician formulas, and prepare and set up a spreadsheet just like you did. Thank you for providing this service to people for free, it truly is incredibly generous! Cheers!

@hugoscreations 3 роки тому

I'm so glad I found you! I'm about to start my van conversion, this is great info Thank you!

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Hey Hugo's Auto Clinic, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

@davekelly8230 2 роки тому

So helpful. Thank you so much 💪🏻

@rozefit 3 роки тому

SAVED ME HOURS. THANK YOU

@GypsyFireDance 4 роки тому

This is awesome!!!!! Thanks a bunch.

@tristanmartel503 4 роки тому

Great video.

@thetravelingbrowns Рік тому

Awesome spreadsheet! Thank you for your time creating and sharing it!

@EXPLORISTlife Рік тому

Hey Jenna Brown, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

@danteishearer9126 Рік тому

Brooooo I've never subscribed so fast. So so helpful👍🏼

@onemansthought Рік тому

Dude this is the greatest video ever! That spreadsheet makes it so easy, THANK YOU!!!!

@EXPLORISTlife Рік тому

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

@mcgovern123 4 роки тому

You’re the best man

@agustinmarioascanio1260 4 роки тому

Great job. Muchas Gracias.

@sonyacolomer 3 роки тому

This is a super informative and very clear video, so useful... Thank you so much!

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@24ZEN 4 роки тому

Thank you 😊

@gsftom Рік тому

This video and spreadsheet are “friggin awesome”. There is no telling how many people u have helped, but I bet it a ton. Thanks for the video and the resources!

@EXPLORISTlife Рік тому

Hey Tom Freer, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

@micahharris1398 3 роки тому

God bless you for making these videos dude. You’re awesome as such a big help.

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Hey Micah Harris, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

@celeste491 3 роки тому

This is SO incredibly helpful and is helping me reduce a lot of time on my travel camper conversion, I'm truly grateful. You guys are awesome!!! 💙⚡️

@simoping 2 роки тому

Man.. I love your approach and thanks for helping us all out here... its appreciated

@EXPLORISTlife 2 роки тому

Awesome! Happy to help. Thanks for watching!

@Michael-zp9kl 3 роки тому

This just saved my life. Thank you.

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

@Networkprofessor 4 роки тому

One stop portal for solar system information.

@A.P.L.O. 3 роки тому

Thank you bro this is the best !

@Nikitafrom233 4 роки тому

Great content, an amazing amount of job done for providing such content, many thanks

@EXPLORISTlife 4 роки тому

Glad you enjoy it!

@WULFWERKS 3 роки тому

Man, thank you so much for making these videos. I am an electrical dummy, which is doubled when addressing solar, making me a dum dum pertaining to that subject. Seriously though, you’re helping me get this broke ass airstream working, thank you.

@hammer8809 Рік тому

Outstanding!! Now I can get to work. Best video I’ve seen by far on the subject, thank you heaps 👍🏼🇦🇺.

@EXPLORISTlife Рік тому

Glad it helped!

@tangerinedreamer50 Рік тому

This guy makes it so easy to understand and is really fantastic at his job thank you sir its very much appreciated 🙏

@EXPLORISTlife Рік тому

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

@brucebryan2806 3 роки тому

this is awesome thank you just saved me a major headache

@kentbullard6917 4 роки тому

XLNT and very helpful. Thanks.

@songkim3939 4 роки тому

This is exactly what I've been looking for! I wasn't sure if I wanna go with solar or without in my van. This is amazing! Many thanks from Canada :)

@lukefildes6466 4 роки тому

Excellent

@johnplyler7054 3 роки тому

I feel so lucky to have found your video's.

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@rebeccadavitt5448 2 роки тому

Wow, THANK YOU!!!

@melimoo6656 3 роки тому

Thank you so much! This is so helpful! 😁

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Hey Meli Moo, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

@ims7187 4 роки тому

i love channel bro. all the best to you

@justintrussell7739 2 роки тому

I'm going to use a 48 volt solar power system on my skoolie. This is a great vid

@westisthebest4221 2 роки тому

Nate yarbrough you made me understand something which I could have naver understood. Although English is not my first language. Well done bro

@DIYMoMUniqueCreations 7 місяців тому

this will be so helpful.

@BEAdventurePartners 4 роки тому

You just earned our 👍@EXPLORIST life - DIY Campers AND we hit the bell! Dude! We made a spreadsheet, but it was not organized as good as yours. Right now, we're converting a school bus into a tiny home on wheels, and have no prior experience with electrical stuff (like most people, right?) We're checking out your other vids now and your guide on your site to gather the links and get our system pieced together. Thanks so much!! - Brian + Erin

@EXPLORISTlife 4 роки тому

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@compumatterllc 2 роки тому

Awesome content ! Will bookmark that one

@EXPLORISTlife 2 роки тому

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

@raymondcastro8066 4 роки тому

Very good !🇵🇷

@tonyflanagan5682 2 роки тому

Cracking stuff Nate

@EXPLORISTlife 2 роки тому

Thanks! 🙂🙌

@ArijanaLukic 3 роки тому

Amazing! Thank you!

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

@terrydou7938 4 роки тому

It really Bums me out that you guys don't get more views. You provide really useful info and real life views of van life, but don't get the views that "Van lifers" get where a lot of what they show is just the trendy side of living in a van, and tend to lean on the sexy side of the thumbnails (bikinis, tight pants, etc etc), which I have nothing against, its just more clickbaity. I think I have watch your van build series 3-4 times in preparation for our van build, and I don't think I'll take other information as seriously as I take yours.

@TheBlackSheepChronicles 4 роки тому

Great comment. I agree with ya for sure

@CheeseOnEverything 4 роки тому

That's the yt algorithm for u...but with content like this, they'll grow fast.

@fishhuntadventure 3 роки тому

People generally don’t actually want to think these days, so they tantalize themselves with kewl videos and either copy other people (not necessarily useful), over-buy the need cuz they’re guessing, or - buy cheap, inadequate equipment with lots of reviews that tickle their ears. Or pay some solar place to install a bulky, mismatched snd often overpriced system that provides power with ancillary compromises the uneducated won’t have the ability to immediately see. What he described here doesn’t take a lot of work but it involves work. Way to many people these days are averse to work. And thinking. But this is very solid advice.

@thepoorblackman 2 роки тому

We're at 100k views and over 100k subs..good content wins!

@simonmorter9341 2 роки тому

Idk I think this thumbnail is pretty sexy… 🤣

@omniaparatus1890 3 роки тому

Great video! Thanks!

@EXPLORISTlife 3 роки тому

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

@MariaSilva-rz1xd Рік тому

A God among men! Thank you!

@EXPLORISTlife Рік тому

Glad it helped

@Thebluelandy 9 місяців тому

Hey Nate, really good and informative videos! We're since one and a half years on the road and I just calculated our installed solar system and our consumption with your table. I gotta say in our case, it fits pretty well with your recommendation. The only thing is our inverter that's only 250VA instead of 1000VA

@EXPLORISTlife 9 місяців тому

Nice work!

@charlottesnider4587 Рік тому

Ty for this!

@EXPLORISTlife Рік тому

Hey Charlotte Snider, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

@sander620206 11 місяців тому

thanks mate, very usefull, nice voice to listen to, great sense of humor ;-)

@EXPLORISTlife 11 місяців тому

Hey Sander Bremmers, Thanks so much! Cheers!

@giuliobaecker5476 Рік тому

Thank you - Gracia Mille - Merci

@sergiocavazos8963 4 роки тому

tks, very good video

@MrJoshuadh81 11 місяців тому

Wow, great spread sheet! Very user friendly. Thanks for sharing that! DEFINITELY deserves a 'Like' and 'Subscribe' 👍👍

@EXPLORISTlife 11 місяців тому

Hey, Joshua D! I appreciate that. Thanks for watching! 🙂😀

@GNARLOUSE 2 роки тому

Nice thanks!

@EphraimKiptiony Рік тому

you are Awesome man

@EXPLORISTlife Рік тому

Hey Ephraim Kiptiony, Thanks so much! Cheers!

@MISSIONRIDERMOTOVLOG 4 місяці тому

Thank you. Now i know.

@ozzzyd922 5 місяців тому

Thank you sir

@flyingdutch9818 4 роки тому

Nice one; there’s a noticeable step up in quality since the rebrand

@EXPLORISTlife 4 роки тому

Thanks! And thanks for that. Before we were trying to pump out quantity. Now, it's all about the attempt at being genuinely helpful/useful.

@sausagefingers714 2 роки тому

i simply purchased a plug-in power meter to monitor just how much power my caravan is consuming over a 2 week period while running on mains electric, living normally after 2 weeks i ended up with a true numbers of my power consumption.. heaters, hot water and the cook run off gas :) lasts a long time and works out pretty cheap.

@howardcagle9295 Місяць тому

Thanks!

@PompeyBoy66 2 роки тому

Wow. A scientist.

@EXPLORISTlife 2 роки тому

Just a guy who likes spreadsheets.

@alexvelez2141 8 місяців тому

I definitely need to do this. I fell asleep watching it last night. I'm trying to figure this out so I can go full-time while I still work. My question is is it possible to run ac around the clock on solar? I have pets that will be with me. I get hot easy and I worry about the pets especially while I'm at work. Trying to get away from renting