Five years of full-time van life. One honest guide to the setup that actually works.
I'm not going to pretend I had this all sorted from day one. When I first moved into Sioux — my van — I was running everything off a Jackery power station and hoping for the best. Five years later, living full-time on the road across the UK, Europe and Spain, I've replaced, upgraded and learned from every mistake.
This guide is my actual setup. The things I use every single day. The stuff I wish someone had told me before I started.
I'm not sponsored by any of these brands. I'm not getting paid to recommend anything. This is just what works — after five years of living it.
My system runs on a 220Ah lithium battery charged by 620W of solar panels and a Victron Multiplus 5000 inverter/charger. It powers everything from my fridge to my MacBook Air to my projector — 365 days a year, in all weathers, across multiple countries.
For the first five years I used a Jackery portable power station as my inverter. It did the job — just about. But as I added more devices and spent longer stretches off-grid, especially in hotter countries like Spain, I needed something more capable and more permanent.
The switch to a full 12V lithium system with the Victron Multiplus was the single biggest upgrade I've made to Sioux. Everything is more reliable, more efficient and far less stressful.
Don't rush to go full 12V immediately. Starting with a Jackery or similar is actually a great way to learn what you use, what you need, and what's worth investing in properly. I don't regret a single year of running on the Jackery — it taught me everything.
These are realistic daily figures based on my actual usage — not the best-case manufacturer claims. Your numbers will vary depending on weather, location and how you live.
| Appliance | Typical Draw | Daily Use | Est. Daily Wh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dometic 55L fridge | 13–20W avg | 24 hrs (cycles) | ~310–480Wh |
| MaxxFan Deluxe | 7–60W | 8–24 hrs | ~100–300Wh |
| Diesel heater | 8–14W (electric only) | 4–8 hrs (UK winter) | ~40–112Wh |
| Water pump | 30–90W | 10–20 mins | ~5–30Wh |
| Underfloor heating | ~50–150W | 1–3 hrs | ~50–450Wh |
| 8 x LED ceiling lights | Up to 28W | 3–5 hrs | ~50–140Wh |
| LED strip lights | ~10–20W | 2–4 hrs | ~20–80Wh |
| MacBook Air | 20–65W | 4–8 hrs | ~80–520Wh |
| Projector (charging) | ~45–65W | 1–2 hrs | ~45–130Wh |
| Typical daily total | — | — | ~700–2,200Wh |
In good UK summer sun, 620W of solar can produce 2,000–3,000Wh per day. In Spain it's even better. In a grey UK winter you might only get 300–600Wh — which is why the diesel heater (which runs on fuel, not batteries) is so smart for winter heating.
In hot countries the fridge works harder and the MaxxFan runs continuously, which pushes daily usage up. But solar output goes up too — it balances out better than you'd think.
I ran a Jackery portable power station as my inverter for five full years. It worked. But eventually I wanted more lights, more flexibility and less faff. The Victron Multiplus 5000 was the answer.
Converts your battery power to mains electricity. Charge your MacBook, run your projector, power any standard plug — cleanly and efficiently.
If you're on a campsite with electric hookup, the Multiplus charges your lithium battery from mains power. Intelligent multi-stage charging for lithium.
Plug into hookup and it automatically switches. Unplug and it switches back to battery. Seamless, instant, no intervention needed.
If a device briefly demands more power than hookup provides, Victron supplements from the battery. Prevents tripping the campsite breaker.
My 220Ah lithium battery has built-in Bluetooth — so I can open an app and see exactly what's going on: voltage, state of charge, amps in from solar, amps out to appliances. No guessing. No surprises. I know exactly when I need to find some sun or a hookup.
Yes — but only because I'd grown out of it. If you're new to van life, start with a Jackery or similar. Learn what you actually use. Then invest in a permanent system based on real data, not guesswork.
Hands down, my diesel heater is one of the best things I've ever fitted to Sioux. It burns diesel — so it barely touches your battery (just 8–14W to run the fan and electronics). But the features on modern heaters are genuinely impressive.
I genuinely cannot imagine van life without this fan. It runs nearly 365 days a year. In summer it keeps the van cool and pulls out cooking smells. In winter it manages condensation. In Spain it runs continuously on hot days.
Even in winter, run your MaxxFan on a low speed when you sleep. It clears condensation overnight and you'll wake up to dry windows and fresher air. Make sure the rain cover is on!
I have electric heating mat panels running under the centre walkway of the van. They're sheets with heating elements running through them — the same technology as electric blankets but designed for floors. They only cover the centre strip, but it's enough to keep your feet warm when you're cooking or moving around.
They do draw more power than the diesel heater (50–150W), so I use them selectively — usually in the evening when solar has topped the battery up nicely, or when I'm on hookup.
All my cooking is done on gas. I have a 30L underslung LPG tank that lasts me approximately 8 months of full-time use. That's incredible value and it means I'm not draining my battery on a hob or kettle. Zero power consumption for cooking. A complete non-issue.
For one person, yes — comfortably, with 620W of solar. For two people with higher usage you might want 300Ah. But 220Ah has never left me stranded in 5 years.
This is why the diesel heater is genius — your biggest winter power draw (heating) uses almost no electricity. The fridge and fan will comfortably run on a partially charged 220Ah battery through a cloudy day or two.
Genuinely, no — not since going to 620W solar and the 220Ah lithium. Before that, occasionally in deep UK winter. The Bluetooth monitoring on the battery means I always know exactly where I stand.
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