Understand more. Build smarter.
Short, no-nonsense guides on how power, solar and batteries actually work — so the calculator's numbers make sense.
C-rate & peak power
What C-rate says about how fast you can charge and draw from a battery — and why inverters need extra headroom in the system for peak power.
Solar & the Wh budget
How to turn appliance power and running time into a daily energy budget — and how many panels you need.
Battery life: DoD, cycles & EoL
How deeply you discharge, how often, and at what temperature decides how long the battery lasts.
DC vs AC — 12V or 230V?
When is 12V direct current enough, and when do you need an inverter for 230V alternating current?
Cable sizing and fuses
How cable sizing, fuses and voltage drop work — and why the right cable area is decisive for safety, performance and an efficient off-grid system.
Safety and installation
Learn the common risks, the safety principles that matter, and how to build a system for van life, boats, motorhomes and off-grid that is safe and dependable.
DC-DC charging & smart alternators
A DC-DC charger gives stable, safe charging between the vehicle's alternator and the house battery. This guide covers smart alternators, lithium batteries, split-charge relays and how to build an efficient charging system.
PWM vs MPPT controllers
PWM and MPPT controllers decide how your solar panels charge the battery — but MPPT is considerably more efficient. This guide covers the differences between the technologies, why MPPT harvests more energy, and why Kraftur recommends MPPT for modern off-grid systems.
How a complete off-grid system works
An off-grid system is made up of several parts that together produce, store and use energy. This guide covers how batteries, solar panels, controllers, inverters, DC-DC charging and fuses work together in modern 12V and 24V systems.