Off Grid Power for Queensland Caravans: 12V, 24V or 48V?

Queensland is off grid heaven — but it is also hot, humid, and hard on cheap electrical systems. Here is a plain English guide to the three off grid setups we fit in our Burpengary workshop, and which one suits which kind of trip.

What "off grid" actually means

At minimum, off grid means running your fridge, lights, water pump and phone charging without plugging in. Above that, it usually means:

• Induction cooking
• Air conditioning off battery (yes, really)
• Coffee machines, microwaves, hair dryers
• Starlink, laptops, power tools

The more you want off battery, the more you need to step up in voltage.

12V: the classic weekender setup

Good for: weekends, powered site trips, small families, budgets under $6 to 8k.

• 200 to 300Ah lithium
• 300 to 600W of solar
• 25 to 40A DC DC charger
• 2000W inverter (surge only — kettle, toaster, low draw)

This is enough for 3 to 5 days off grid running a fridge, lights, water, and light 240V use. It is what most weekenders actually need.

24V: the sweet spot for touring couples

Good for: long term touring, remote work, running an induction cooktop, occasional aircon.

• 300 to 460Ah at 24V (roughly 600 to 900Ah equivalent at 12V)
• 800 to 1200W of solar
• Bigger DC DC (60A+)
• 3000W pure sine inverter

Smaller cabling than a big 12V system, more headroom for real appliances. Most of our long lap customers end up here.

48V: for full time travellers and remote workers

Good for: running aircon off battery, all electric cooking, home office loads, months off grid at a time.

• 460 to 920Ah at 48V
• 1500 to 2000W+ solar
• Multi stage inverter/charger
• Often EV style battery management

Expensive, but genuinely home like. Only worth it if you actually spend months at a time off grid or work from the van.

Queensland specific considerations

• Heat kills cheap lithium. Insist on cells rated for high ambient temps and mounted somewhere ventilated.
• Humidity kills cheap connections. Marine grade lugs and proper heat shrink on every joint.
• Storms drop panels. Bolt solar down properly and use two independent MPPTs so a shaded panel does not kill the array.

How to choose

Ask yourself three questions:

1. How many nights a year will you actually spend off grid?
2. Do you want to run aircon off battery?
3. Are you cooking with gas, induction, or both?

Answer honestly and the right voltage is usually obvious. If you are unsure, book a chat with our workshop team — we design and fit these systems in house, so we are not upselling something we cannot service.