Budgeting a van or RV electrical system before you start buying parts avoids both overspending and being surprised mid-build. Here's a realistic US cost breakdown at three build sizes (parts only, 2026 pricing).
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Basic build (~100Ah, no inverter)
| Component | Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | LiTime 100Ah LiFePO4 | $220 |
| Solar | 1x Renogy 100W rigid panel | ~$100 |
| Charge controller | Victron SmartSolar 100/30 | $159 |
| DC-DC charger | Victron Orion-XS 30A | $287 |
| Monitor | Victron SmartShunt | $120 |
| Wiring, fuses, bus bars | Misc. | ~$150 |
| Total | ~$1,036 |
Good for: weekend use, 12V fridge, lighting, USB charging, no AC appliances.
Mid-size build (~200Ah, small inverter)
| Component | Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | LiTime 200Ah LiFePO4 | $399 |
| Solar | 2x Renogy 200W rigid panels | ~$320 |
| Charge controller | Victron SmartSolar 100/50 | $228 |
| DC-DC charger | Renogy 50A DCC50S | $200 |
| Inverter | Renogy 1000W pure sine | $150 |
| Monitor | Victron SmartShunt | $120 |
| Wiring, fuses, bus bars | Misc. (heavier gauge for inverter) | ~$250 |
| Total | ~$1,667 |
Good for: full-time-capable, microwave or blender occasionally, larger fridge.
Full build (~300Ah, inverter/charger, shore power)
| Component | Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | LiTime 200Ah + Renogy AGM 100Ah, or 2x LiTime 200Ah | ~$800-1,000 |
| Solar | 2x Renogy 200W rigid panels | ~$320 |
| Charge controller | Victron SmartSolar 100/50 | $228 |
| DC-DC charger | Renogy 50A DCC50S | $200 |
| Inverter/charger | Victron MultiPlus 12/2000 | $900 |
| Monitor | Victron SmartShunt | $120 |
| Shore power inlet + wiring | TT-30 inlet, breaker panel | ~$150 |
| Wiring, fuses, bus bars (2/0 AWG for inverter) | Misc. | ~$300 |
| Total | ~$3,000-3,200 |
Good for: full-time living, induction cooking, campground shore power, larger appliance use.
Don't forget labor and consumables
These figures are parts only. Add crimpers/tools if you don't already own them (~$100-300, one-time), and budget extra for connectors, heat shrink, mounting hardware, and the inevitable "one more thing" — typically another 10-15% on top of the core parts list.
Where to spend, where to save
- Don't skimp on: the main battery fuse (Class T for LiFePO4), wire gauge, and the battery monitor — these are safety- and usability-critical.
- OK to start smaller: solar array (can be added to later) and inverter size (right-size to actual loads, not "just in case").
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