Every number on this site carries one of four labels.
If you see a watt-hour figure without one, that's an error. Tell us.
Order of trust: measured → spec → reported → estimate. Estimate is still labeled, never guesswork.
The four labels
Four labels. Different evidence. Different weight.
Tested firsthand
Real numbers from our unit, in our rig, in real climates.
- Strongest evidence we publish
- Multi-climate field use, not bench tests
- Individual results may vary slightly
Manufacturer claim
From the spec sheet or product page. Cited and linked.
- Useful for comparison
- Not a real-world guarantee
- Always linked to source
Third-party
Cited from a credible reviewer, independent test, or community pattern.
- Source identified
- Used when we haven't tested it
- Quality of source noted
Modeled assumption
Based on real-world experience, clearly flagged.
- For planning, not promises
- Always combined with the inputs
- A flagged guess beats a hidden one
The test rig
What "measured" means in real terms.
- Vehicle
- 2017 Ram ProMaster 2500, black exterior
- Locations
- Arizona summer heat, Colorado winter cold, Florida humidity, California, New York
- Duration
- Eight years of full-time daily use
- Daily loads
- Dometic CFX65DZ fridge (24/7), 2× MaxxAir fans (7500 + 4500), 6 LED lights, water pump, laptop, phones, iPad
The black ProMaster matters. A black van in Arizona amplifies heat load significantly — interior temps exceed what most experience in temperate climates. Extreme-heat results are noted where they differ meaningfully.
Real measured data
Tap to see the numbers.
Dometic CFX65DZ fridge — power draw+
This fridge has run 24/7 for years across all climates. Real average draw varies significantly by ambient temperature:
| Condition | Avg draw |
|---|---|
| Florida summer (high heat) | 20–25 W/hr |
| Mild / room temp | 10–12 W/hr |
| Cold weather | Minimal — compressor cycles rarely |
Observed averages, not spec claims. Florida summer is the planning number that matters — it's what determines whether your system can sustain continuous fridge through a bad week.
BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 — charge time+
Via wall outlet: approximately 1 hour to full from near-empty.
Measured, our unit. Individual results may vary slightly depending on outlet quality and ambient temperature.
300W solar — harvest reality+
Three 100W Renogy slim panels roof-mounted on the ProMaster.
- Adequate on clear sunny days in good solar regions
- Tight in Colorado winter or extended overcast
- Building today: 500–600W minimum — modern slim panels pack more output in the same footprint for similar prices
Goal Zero Yeti 1400 — long-term durability+
Ran this unit for six years full-time starting 2018. Battery held up well — no significant capacity degradation in daily use.
Upgraded to BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 not because it failed, but because capacity needs grew and modern LFP offers meaningfully better recovery speed and cycle life.
What we don't claim
The line between honest evaluation and review-mill noise.
Three things you won't find on this site — and why.
- No charge times we haven't observed or can't source to a credible test. Manufacturer wattage used for estimates is labeled Spec + Estimate.
- No combined spec numbers implying real-world performance. A 1,200W AC input charges faster than a 400W — but real time-to-full depends on thermal conditions, outlet quality, and battery state, not just the spec.
- No step-by-step electrical wiring procedures. Vehicle electrical systems carry real safety stakes. That's not a space for general tutorials.
Recovery-first framework
Why we rank by time-to-recover+
We rank products by how reliably they help you recover from a depleted state and return to a stable weekly routine — not by headline capacity specs alone.
Real van routines are constrained by outlet access, rules, and schedule. A unit that recovers quickly in your actual window is usually a better buy than a larger unit with slower refill behavior.
Why our picks start at 700Wh++
Lower-capacity units force charge-chasing in bad weather or tight refill windows. The goal is repeatable stability, not one good day.
Weekend and light-load use cases can sit below 700Wh — those just aren't what these picks are scoped to.
Update policy+
Reviewed monthly. Sooner when:
- A new model is released in a covered tier
- A firmware change meaningfully affects behavior
- A major spec revision or correction appears
Methodology, applied