Skip to main content
DIY Off-Grid Advisor
Off-grid adventure
How to Use This Site

Everything you need.
In the right order.

This site has guides, calculators, a component wizard, a product database, a community, and more. This page shows you what everything does — and the best path through it for where you are right now.

18chapters in Electrical 101
20+practical how-to guides
5+free design tools
1,000+products in the database
Freeeverything, always
Your Path

Where are you right now?

Pick the option that best describes where you are. We'll show you exactly what to do next.

I'm brand new to off-grid

Start here. We'll walk you through everything.

01

Read Electrical 101

~45 min

18 chapters of plain-language theory. Volts, amps, watts, batteries, solar, fuses — everything you need to understand before you spend a cent.

Start Electrical 101
02

Create your first build

~5 min

Set up your build in Setups — vehicle type, voltage, and any equipment you already own. This is the foundation everything else builds on.

Open Setups
03

Add your loads

~10 min

List every appliance you want to run. Fridge, lights, phone charger, coffee machine — all of it. Your daily Wh total drives every sizing calculation.

Open Load Calculator
04

Size your components

~15 min

The Component Wizard uses your system and loads to recommend the right battery, solar panels, MPPT, and inverter — from a real product database.

Open Component Wizard
05

Check your cables

~5 min

Size every cable run for voltage drop and ampacity. Get the right wire gauge and fuse rating for each circuit.

Open Cable Checker
The Core Workflow

The 5-Step Build Workflow

Each step builds on the last. Do them in order — the Component Wizard needs your system data and loads before it can size anything.

Total time: ~35 minutes

From zero to a complete, sized system design

Start the Workflow

Tips for Getting the Most Out of This Site

Things that make a big difference — from someone who's seen a lot of builds go wrong.

Do the steps in order

The Component Wizard needs your system data and loads before it can size anything. Don't skip ahead — each step feeds the next.

Use the GPS locator

The GPS locator in Locations pulls real peak sun hours for your exact coordinates. Don't guess — your battery and solar sizing depends on this number.

Set your autonomy days

Autonomy days = how many cloudy days you need to survive without sun. Most van builds need 2–3 days. Cabins often need 5–7. This drives your battery size.

Add every load, even small ones

Phone chargers, LED lights, USB hubs — they add up. A thorough load list gives you an accurate daily Wh total, which gives you accurate sizing.

Measure actual cable run length

Not straight-line distance — the actual path the cable takes. A 2m straight run might be a 4m cable run. Undersized cables cause voltage drop and heat.

Ask the community

If you're stuck, ask. The Community Q&A has real builders who've done it. Search first — your question has probably been asked before.

FAQ

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about using the platform.

We use cookies

We use essential cookies to keep you logged in and remember your preferences. No tracking or advertising cookies. Privacy policy

Ask Watt anything

Watt knows your build. Ask about wiring, sizing, troubleshooting — from any page. Press Cmd /

Ask Watt anything

Press Cmd+/ or click here to ask Watt about your build, wiring, sizing, or troubleshooting.