Heading off-grid? Whether you're camping in a 4x4, touring in a canopy build, or towing a caravan, having a properly sized solar setup can make or break your trip. No one wants warm beers, flat batteries, or dead phones halfway through a getaway. The good news? Setting up your off-grid solar system doesn't have to be complicated, especially when you're using quality gear from Elevate Automotive.
Let’s run through how to size a solar system that works — real talk, real numbers, and no techy overload.
What Are You Powering?
Forget what everyone else is doing — your solar system should be built around what you use. Most off-grid campers are running a 12V fridge, some LED camp lights, charging phones or cameras, and maybe an inverter for a coffee machine or laptop.
Here’s a quick example of what a typical setup might use per day:
-
Fridge (running 24/7): 1,200–1,500Wh
-
LED lights (night use): ~100Wh
-
Charging phones, speakers, etc: 50–100Wh
-
Occasional inverter use: 200–300Wh
That puts most campers somewhere between 1,500 and 1,800 watt-hours per day. Always add a little buffer just in case — say 2,000Wh daily use.
Sizing Your Solar Panels
You’ll need to replace what you use each day, and that’s where your solar panels come in. In WA and most of Australia, you get about 5 hours of good sun a day.
If your daily energy use is 2,000Wh:
2,000Wh ÷ 5h = 400W of solar panels
So a solar panel setup of at least 400W will get the job done. Two of our KT 200W fixed panels is a popular option — solid performance and easy to mount.
Prefer to go portable? We’ve got folding solar panels too, so you can chase the sun around camp.
Choosing the Right Battery
Once you’ve got power coming in, you need somewhere to store it. That’s where a good lithium battery comes in.
If you’re using 2,000Wh per day, divide by 12V to get your amp-hour requirement:
2,000Wh ÷ 12V = ~167Ah
Lithium batteries can be discharged more deeply than AGM, so a 150Ah lithium battery like the Amptron 150Ah will suit most setups, especially for weekend or short multi-day trips.
If you’re planning to stay put longer or want a bit more backup, the Amptron 200Ah Lithium gives you a bit more headroom.
Don’t Guess — Monitor It
A battery monitor isn’t just a luxury — it’s a lifesaver when you’re off-grid. No more guessing if your battery’s got 90% or 9% left. We highly recommend the Victron BMV-712 Smart or the Victron SmartShunt, both of which link to your phone for real-time tracking.
You’ll know exactly what’s coming in from your solar panels, what you’re using, and how long your battery will last.
While You're Driving
Want to keep your batteries topped up while you’re on the move? A DC-DC charger like the Redarc BCDC1225D will do the job. It’ll charge your lithium battery properly from your alternator, and many units also allow for solar input at the same time.
It’s a great backup option when the weather isn’t playing nice with your panels.
Real-Life Setup Example
Let’s say you’re touring in a Hilux with a canopy setup, running:
-
95L dual-zone fridge
-
2 camp lights
-
Laptop charging
-
Phone & camera gear
-
2000W inverter for short bursts (coffee or tools)
We’d recommend:
✔️ 2x KT 200W solar panels
✔️ Amptron 200Ah lithium battery
✔️ Victron SmartShunt or BMV-712
✔️ Redarc BCDC charger
And if you want us to build it in — we’ve done dozens of canopy and 12V touring installs, so just give us a shout.
Wrap-Up: Keep It Simple, Build It Smart
Sizing your solar setup doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on what you actually use, choose quality gear, and don’t cut corners on batteries or wiring.
If you need help working out your setup or want to chat through options, flick us a message or visit ElevateAuto.com.au — we’ll sort you out.
We’ve got everything from solar panels and lithium batteries to full electrical fit-outs and 4x4 touring gear.
