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Calcimator

Boondocking Power Calculator

Size your battery bank and solar panel array for off-grid RV camping. Calculates amp-hours, solar wattage, and estimated system cost.

Inputs

kWh
hrs
days

Results

Battery Bank Size

938 Ah

Solar Array Size

750 W

≈ 13 laptops

200W Panels Needed4
Estimated System Cost$2,307
Daily Energy Surplus0.2 kWh
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter your estimated daily energy usage (kWh) by totaling major loads (fridge, lights, fans, devices).
  2. Set peak sun hours for your camping location (4-6 hrs for most of the US, less in cloudy regions).
  3. Enter days off-grid between charges and select battery type (lead-acid or lithium).
  4. Review required battery bank size (Ah) and solar panel capacity (W), along with 200W panel count and estimated system cost, to sustain your usage.
  5. Check the daily energy surplus output to see whether your solar array covers usage with room to spare, or falls short.

How the result changes with Daily Energy Usage

Daily Energy UsageBattery Bank SizeSolar Array Size
2.45766 Ah613 W
7.322,288 Ah1,830 W
134,063 Ah3,250 W
185,625 Ah4,500 W

What each input means

Daily Energy Usage
Total electricity consumed per day. A typical RV uses 2-5 kWh/day. Check your inverter or power monitor.
Peak Sun Hours
Average peak sun hours at your camping location. Desert: 6-7, Midwest: 4-5, Pacific NW: 3-4.
Days Off-Grid
How many days you plan to camp without shore power or a generator.
Battery Type
0 = Lead-Acid (50% depth of discharge), 1 = Lithium/LiFePO4 (80% depth of discharge).

What each result means

Battery Bank Size
Total amp-hours at 12V needed to cover your off-grid stay at safe discharge depth.
Solar Array Size
Total solar panel wattage needed to replenish daily energy usage.
200W Panels Needed
Number of standard 200-watt solar panels required.
Estimated System Cost
Rough cost for batteries and panels (does not include charge controller, wiring, or installation).
Daily Energy Surplus
Excess solar energy produced beyond daily needs. Negative means a deficit.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Daily Energy Usage = 3, Peak Sun Hours = 5, Days Off-Grid = 3, Battery Type = 1 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Battery Bank Size
    Battery Bank Size
    938 = 938
  3. Calculate Solar Array Size
    Solar Array Size
    750 = 750
  4. Calculate 200W Panels Needed
    200W Panels Needed
    4 = 4
  5. Calculate Estimated System Cost
    Estimated System Cost
    2307 = 2307

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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