12V vs. 48V Camper Van Electrical Systems: Compared

As camper van builds become more sophisticated, power demands have surged—think induction cooktops, air conditioning, hydronic heating systems, and high-output charging systems. This evolution begs the question:

Is it time to move beyond the standard 12V camper van electrical system to a more efficient 48V system for your off-grid adventure van?

Let’s explore the technical, practical, and cost differences between 12V (Standard on Basecamp Trim) and 48V (Pro + Pro-X) systems to help you decide which is right for your adventure van.

Camper Van Electrical Systems: Compared

Feature	12V System	48V System
Voltage	12 Volts DC	48 Volts DC
Current for 1kW Load	~83 Amps	~21 Amps
Wire Size for 10 ft @ 1kW Load	2 AWG	10 AWG
System Efficiency	Lower (more heat loss)	Higher (less heat loss)
Component Availability	High	Moderate
2nd Alternator	No	Required
Expandability	Limited for high-demand systems	Ideal for high-demand systems

1. Understanding the Basics

What is a 12V System?

12V DC systems have been the standard in RVs and camper vans for decades. Most appliances like lights, water pumps, fans, and small fridges are well optimized and will function as expected with a 12V system.

What is a 48V System?

A 48V system operates at four times the voltage of a 12V system. This style of system allows us to run more major systems including an induction cooktop, up to 200L fridge, high-performance A/C units, and more without having to worry about constantly recharging thanks to our 48V dual-alternator charging system.

The main advantage lies in its efficiency

Power = Voltage × Current

So, for the same power, a 48V system draws significantly less current.

2. Efficiency & Power Loss

One of the biggest inefficiencies in a 12V system is voltage drop and heat generation due to high current. This high current has consequences across your system including increased power loss due to heat.

Example: 

To achieve 4800 watts at 48V, the current draw is 100A. However, to achieve the same 4800 watts at 12V, the current draw would be 400A (4800W / 12V = 400A)

Voltage Drop Comparison Chart

Load (Watts)	Voltage	Current (Amps)	Voltage Drop @10ft (10 AWG)	Power Loss (W)
1000	12V	83	~4.1V	~340W
1000	48V	21	~1.1V	~23W

Result: 

The 48V system loses far less power in transmission—critical in high-load builds and builds running A/C units, large fridges, induction cooktops, and more.

3. Charging & Solar Integration

Off Highway Van builds all our vans with the option to add up to a 330W solar energy system on our Dark Star Offroad roof racks.

Charging Source	12V System	48V System
Alternator Charging	12V | Single Alternator	Lithionix ION Gen 6500W Dual-Alternator Kit
Solar Panels	100V 20A MPPT	150V 35A MPPT
Shore Power	Up to 30A/110V	Up to 30A/110V

Skip the Generator With The 48V Dual Alternator System

By adding a 2nd alternator (with your 48V power system) you can leave that old gas-burning, noisy, unwieldy generator behind in the garage: where it belongs. With a secondary alternator, your adventure van can essentially act as its own generator that charges itself automatically.

No more carrying around leaky gas cans and lugging around that 150lb generator dad handed down in 1995. Lithionix has made it possible to bring all the power of a 6500W gas generator into your van using a single additional pulley in your engine bay.

4. Components + Systems

At Off Highway Van, we can option our systems differently depending on which power option is chosen for your offroad adventure van build.

12V Component Options

• 4.2kW Power System

• 3000W Inverter

• 85L Fridge

• Espar D2 Diesel Heater

• Single Induction Cooktop

• 3-Zone Dimmable LED Lighting

• 12V A/C System

• Maxxair Fan(s) (Up to 2)

• 700W Microwave

48V Component Options

• 8.4kW Power System

• 3000W Inverter

• 130L - 200L Fridge

• 4-Season Hydronic Heating System

• Single or Dual Induction Cooktop

• 3-Zone Dimmable LED Lighting

• 48V High-Performance A/C System

• Maxxair Fan(s) (Up to 2)

• 700W Microwave

• Dual Alternator Setup

• Premium Garmin Audio System

• Hydronic Heated Flooring

5. Wire Size & Weight

Because current is lower at 48V, you can use thinner wire for the same wattage, reducing both weight and cost in copper. Due to the higher current draw in a 12V system, thicker wires are required to handle the increased load without overheating.  48V systems can use thinner wires with less voltage drop over distances.

• 12V system at 1kW may require 2 AWG copper (heavy, bulky).

• 48V system at 1kW can use 10 AWG or even 12 AWG depending on run length.

This adds up to significant weight savings and cost savings alike in large systems.

Which System Is Right For Your Camper Van?

When you are building your van, it may be tempting to save a bit of cost and go with the system that is fully-functional at 12V, but the advantages of the 48V power system upgrade are hard to debate.

When to Choose 12V

Stick with 12V if:

• Your van uses under 2kWh/day

• You use mostly 12V appliances

• You're on a tight budget

• You want maximum ease of sourcing and replacement

When to Choose 48V

Upgrade to 48V if:

• You run high-demand appliances: A/C, induction, microwaves, sound systems

• You want thinner wiring, less weight, and higher efficiency

• You plan to integrate advanced solar and high-output charging systems.

Our Expert's Recommendation

Both systems have their place in the camper van world. For simple builds and traditional RV systems, 12V remains a safe bet.

But if you're designing a modern, energy-hungry off-grid vehicle, 48V unlocks serious advantages in performance, scalability, and efficiency. This is why, for Pro trim and above, we've decided to option Off Highway Van models with a 48V power system. From efficiency to weight savings, 48V systems are the way of the future. If you'd like to learn more about Off Highway Van, our builds, our process, or to get started on your dream van build, talk to one of our camper van experts today!