Solar generator for van life?

Check, uncheck or adjust the typical device list below — watts, startup surge and battery size update instantly. Numbers come from U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer spec sheets, not marketing copy.

1. Check what you need to power

Refrigeration & Freezers

  • 1

Kitchen

Heating, Cooling & Fans

Water & Pumps

Laundry & Cleaning

Electronics & Office

  • 1
  • 2
  • 1

Medical Devices

Power Tools & Outdoor

Lighting

  • 2

2. Your sizing

Running load218 W
Startup peak418 Wdriven by 1× Portable 12V Fridge/Freezer (Dometic CFX3 45 class)
Daily energy1,830 Wh
Recommended capacity2,290 WhBasis: 1 day of typical usage, incl. 25% margin for inverter loss & battery depth of discharge
Backup duration:

Assumptions: daily hours per device follow DOE / ENERGY STAR duty cycles; capacity adds a 25% margin. Check your appliance nameplates — actual draw varies by model.

3. Best matches from our 6-brand database

  1. Anker SOLIX F3800~$2,199
    • rated 6,000W covers your 240W continuous load
    • surge 9,000W covers your 418W start peak
    • 2.1 days of your typical daily use (3,840Wh / 1,830Wh)
    • 120/240V split-phase output
    Check price →
  2. EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3~$2,799
    • rated 4,000W covers your 240W continuous load
    • surge 8,000W covers your 418W start peak
    • 2.2 days of your typical daily use (4,096Wh / 1,830Wh)
    • 120/240V split-phase output
    Check price →
  3. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Maxpartial coverage ~89% of target~$899
    • rated 2,400W covers your 240W continuous load
    • surge 4,800W covers your 418W start peak
    • covers about 89% of the target capacity for your selected duration (2,048Wh vs 2,290Wh recommended)
    Check price →

Static answer (crawlable summary)

Typical device list: Starlink Mini×1, Portable 12V Fridge/Freezer (Dometic CFX3 45 class)×1, Laptop Computer×1, LED Bulb (60W equivalent)×2, Phone / Smartphone Charger×2.

Estimated from: Mfr spec: Starlink · Mfr spec: Dometic · VT Extension table (DOE-derived) · Energy Star Certified Products (bulbs) · Unbound Solar Power Table (secondary) — some household values are cross-checked class estimates (not single-model nameplates); check your own appliance nameplate before buying.

Continuous load218 W
Startup peak418 W (driven by 1× Portable 12V Fridge/Freezer (Dometic CFX3 45 class))
Daily energy use1,830 Wh
Recommended capacity2,290 Wh (25% margin included)
Minimum inverter240 W continuous

Frequently asked questions

What size generator do I need for van life?

For a typical setup (Starlink Mini, Portable 12V Fridge/Freezer (Dometic CFX3 45 class), Laptop Computer, LED Bulb (60W equivalent) and Phone / Smartphone Charger), you need at least 218W of continuous power. The single biggest moment is startup: when 1× portable 12v fridge/freezer (dometic cfx3 45 class) kicks on, the momentary draw peaks at 418W. For a full day of runtime we recommend at least 2,290Wh of battery capacity (your devices use about 1,830Wh per day, plus a 25% margin for a full day of use).

Which power stations can handle this?

Based on published specs, Anker SOLIX F3800, EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3, EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max cover the 418W startup peak and deliver 2.1 days / 2.2 days / about 89% of a full day of typical daily use. Check the comparison cards above for the full numbers.

Why is the startup surge higher than the running watts?

Motor-driven devices (fridge compressors, well pumps, air conditioners) draw 2-5× their running power for a split second at startup — measured as locked-rotor amps (LRA). On this page the biggest spike comes from the Portable 12V Fridge/Freezer (Dometic CFX3 45 class): a station that only meets the running load will trip or stall when it starts. Data sources: U.S. DOE Energy Saver, ENERGY STAR certified products, manufacturer spec sheets.

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