How to Set Up Your Van for Off Grid Living

G'day, fellow adventurers! Steve here from Sunrise Caravans. One of the biggest trends we're seeing is folks wanting to go fully off grid — no more relying on powered sites, no more being tied to caravan parks. Just you, your van, and the great Australian outback.

Setting up for off grid living doesn't have to be complicated or cost a fortune. Let's break it down into the key areas.

1. Solar Power

Solar is the backbone of off grid caravanning. Here's what you need:

• Solar Panels: We recommend at least 400W of rooftop solar for comfortable off grid living. More panels = more flexibility.
• Solar Controller (MPPT): An MPPT controller is more efficient than PWM, especially in varying light conditions. Worth the investment.
• Portable Panels: A great backup option. You can position them in the sun while your van stays in the shade.

2. Battery Bank

Your batteries store the energy your solar panels generate. The two main options:

• Lithium (LiFePO4): More expensive upfront but lighter, last longer (2000+ cycles), discharge deeper (up to 100%), and charge faster. Our recommendation for serious off gridders.
• AGM: Cheaper initially but heavier, shorter lifespan (300 to 500 cycles), and should only be discharged to 50%.

We recommend at least 200Ah of lithium (or 400Ah of AGM) for comfortable off grid living.

3. Water Management

Water is life on the road:

• Tank Size: Aim for at least 200L of fresh water for a couple. More if you like long showers!
• Water Pump: A quality 12V pump with a pressure switch.
• Filtration: A good water filter system lets you safely top up from creeks and bores.
• Grey Water: Many free camps require grey water to be contained. Fit a grey water tank if you don't have one.

4. Gas

• Dual Gas Bottles: Always carry two bottles so you can switch over when one runs out.
• Gas Bayonet Fittings: Makes connecting your BBQ a breeze.
• Consider Diesel Heating: More efficient than gas for heating in cooler climates.

5. Inverter

A quality pure sine wave inverter converts your 12V battery power to 240V for running household appliances:

• 2000W Inverter: Sufficient for most needs — charging laptops, running a toaster, etc.
• Don't overdo it: Running a microwave or air conditioner off an inverter requires a massive battery bank.

6. Connectivity

Staying connected while off grid:

• 4G/5G Router with External Antenna: Boosts your mobile signal significantly.
• Starlink: The game changer for remote connectivity. Works almost everywhere in Australia.

Our Off Grid Packages

At Sunrise Caravans, many of our vans come off grid ready out of the box. Pop into our Burpengary dealership and we'll walk you through the options that suit your travel style and budget.

Steve and the Team at Sunrise Caravans