Van life power setup: how to run a fridge, charge devices, and stay off-grid
Size it right the first time — here's how.
Power is where most van life setups go wrong. People either undersize and spend the trip rationing energy or overbuy a system they'll never fully use. The variables that matter: what you're running, for how long, and whether you can solar-charge during the day.
This guide covers the practical math and the specific gear that works — starting with the most common van life power need and building from there.
Start with what you're actually running
Before buying anything, add up your loads:
A 12V compressor fridge (the kind worth having) draws 30–45W when the compressor runs, which averages out to roughly 20–30Wh per hour depending on ambient temperature. Over 24 hours, that's 480–720Wh just for cold food.
Device charging — phones, laptops, cameras — adds 50–150Wh per day depending on usage. A laptop alone is 60–90Wh per charge.
Lighting with LED strips or a lantern runs 5–20W and is almost negligible.
Add it up and most van life setups need 600–900Wh of daily capacity before accounting for inefficiency and cloudy days. That determines your power station size.
Power stations
Weekend trips and light use
The Anker PowerHouse 521 ($199.99 — 256Wh) is the entry point. Enough to charge phones and a laptop for a weekend and run a small 12V cooler overnight once. It won't sustain a compressor fridge for multi-day use — treat it as a device charger with emergency fridge backup.
The most common van life setup
The Anker PowerHouse 535 ($499 — 512Wh) is where most part-time van lifers land. Runs a 12V fridge for roughly 20 hours, charges all devices, and handles a fan and lighting. For 2–3 night trips without solar, this works cleanly. Pair it with solar for extended travel.
The Anker PowerHouse 555 ($899 — 1,024Wh) doubles the capacity. This is the right call if you're running a larger fridge, working remotely (laptop all day), or parking in overcast conditions where solar input is unpredictable.
Full-time or extended travel
The Anker PowerHouse 757 ($1,099 — 1,229Wh) is built for serious use — AC outlets for appliances, 1,500W output, and enough capacity to run a dual-zone fridge plus full device load for a day without any solar input. If you're living in the van, not just weekending, this is the floor.
Browse the full lighting & power collection for the complete lineup.
Solar panels
Solar extends how long you can stay without shore power. The math: a 100W panel in good sun produces roughly 300–500Wh per day (5 hours of effective sun). A 200W setup gets you 600–1,000Wh — enough to roughly replace what a fridge and devices consume daily.
The Anker 625 100W Solar Panel ($299.99) folds flat, connects directly to Anker power stations, and is the right starting point for a 535 or 555. One panel won't fully replenish a 1,000Wh station in a day but will meaningfully extend your range.
The Anker 531 200W Solar Panel ($549) is the upgrade — pairs well with the 757 and gives you a fighting chance of staying energy neutral in decent sun. For extended off-grid travel, two 100W panels or one 200W panel is the practical minimum.
The Jackery SolarSaga 100W ($299.99) pairs with Jackery power stations and is an alternative if you're in that ecosystem. Browse solar for the full range.
12V fridges
A quality compressor fridge is the appliance that changes van life the most. No ice, no water, no food spoilage — you eat and cook like you're at home.
The Dometic CFX2 28 ($659.99 — 28L) is the right size for one or two people on a van trip. Fits behind most front seats or in a small cargo area, draws modest power, and holds a weekend's worth of food for two without the ice management ritual.
Step up to the Dometic CFX2 37 ($769.99 — 37L) if you're cooking most meals rather than snacking, or traveling with two people for more than 3 nights.
For full-time setups, the Dometic CFX5 75DZ ($1,349.99) runs as a split fridge-freezer — keep actual frozen food in the freezer side and stop thinking about ice entirely. Pair with the PowerHouse 757 and 200W solar for a system that handles extended travel without shore power. Browse all fridges & coolers.
The setups in short
Weekend van tripper: PowerHouse 535 + 100W solar + CFX2 28 — covers most situations, fits any cargo area, total outlay around $1,460.
Extended travel / remote work: PowerHouse 757 + 200W solar + CFX2 37 — energy independent in good sun, handles full device load, around $2,420.
Full-time: PowerHouse 757 + 200W solar + CFX5 75DZ dual-zone — built to run without shore power indefinitely, around $2,998.