Powering an edge-AI security system off-grid
How much power does always-on LiDAR and night vision really draw, and how to size solar and battery so your security never sleeps.
An always-on security system that drains your battery by morning isn't much use. The good news: edge AI on a Jetson is remarkably frugal, and with modest solar you can run Turova indefinitely without thinking about it.
What it actually draws
In normal standby — sensors active, models watching — the Base system draws around 22 watts. The 4D LiDAR alone accounts for ~10 W, with the camera and Jetson making up the rest. A multi-sensor Stealth build draws more. See the full breakdown with tables on the 4D LiDAR page.
- Base (roof-mast) system: ~22 W typical
- Stealth (hidden array): ~45–72 W depending on duty-cycling
- Cold-weather LiDAR self-heating: a few watts more, briefly
Sizing your battery
Take your standby wattage, multiply by the hours you'll be unplugged, and you have watt-hours. At ~22 W for 12 overnight hours, that's roughly 264 Wh — comfortably inside even a modest 100Ah (≈1,280 Wh) lithium house bank, leaving plenty for your fridge and lights.
If your fridge doesn't kill your battery overnight, Turova won't either. It draws far less than a 12V compressor fridge.
Keeping it topped up with solar
A 200W panel in reasonable conditions produces 600–1,000 Wh a day — comfortably more than the Base system's ~528 Wh draw, so it disappears into a typical van solar budget. Stealth builds want 400W+ for round-the-clock watching. For winter or heavily shaded camping, prioritize battery capacity over panel size, since short days limit harvest.
Smart power behavior
Turova also helps itself. Detection cadence adapts to activity, recording is event-driven rather than continuous, and a low-power watch mode can stretch runtime further when your battery is low. You set the floor; the system respects it.
Planning a fresh electrical build? Pair this with our installation guide to route power cleanly the first time.
