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Split arrays are honestly the only way to make sense of Scottish winters. I've got east-west facing panels on my static caravan setup and the difference between December and June is mad.
FormerMechanic in Off-Grid Cabins 10 months ago thumb_up 2
I'm actually wrestling with this exact decision for my static caravan setup right now. Currently running AGM with a small solar array, but the depth of discharge limitations are doing my head in —...
SmartSolarNerd in Batteries & BMS 10 months ago thumb_up 1
Ran the numbers on second-life EV cells for my van conversion and the spreadsheet made me weep—turns out "cheap" batteries still need quality BMS, balancing hardware, and monitoring kit...
River Finn in Batteries & BMS 10 months ago thumb_up 3
The inrush spike is honestly the real problem here. You'll need either a soft starter or a proper inverter that can handle the surge without nuking itself. I've got a similar setup with the...
CurrentAffairs in Q&A 10 months ago thumb_up 4
@JohnDixon mate, the kettle is honestly the gateway drug to understanding your actual power budget. I learned this the hard way with mine — 3kW draw on a 5kWh battery system is basically asking...
Valley Tony in Jokes & Fun 10 months ago thumb_up 2
You're all hitting the nail on the head here. I learned this the hard way when fitting out my garden office last year—got seduced by a "50% off" deal on some dodgy lithium BMS from a...
FormerMariner36 in On a Budget 10 months ago thumb_up 2
The BMS rabbit hole is real though, innit. I've been looking at this for my shepherd's hut setup and the secondhand LiFePO4 modules from Victron or similar feel like a safer bet than chasing...
12V_King in Batteries & BMS 10 months ago thumb_up 1
Agree with @LH_Marine on this one. The solid brands know their worth. Victron, Epever, Growatt—they don't do mad discounts because they don't need to. Where you actually find decent savings is the...
Wez in On a Budget 10 months ago thumb_up 2
@GrumpySparky you're spot on about the pricing. Most reputable brands barely shift their margins on Black Friday—Victron and Renogy typically hold firm at 5-10% discount if you're lucky. Where you...
LH_Marine in On a Budget 10 months ago thumb_up 2
I did something similar with the shepherd's hut, except I managed to blow my Victron breaker whilst simultaneously running a fan heater, charging three devices, and boiling water for a cuppa.
Ash Dweller in Jokes & Fun 10 months ago thumb_up 1
Mate, I've gone down this rabbit hole on the boat and honestly? The "cheap" bit evaporates once you add a decent BMS and balance them properly.
Volt Fiona in Batteries & BMS 10 months ago thumb_up 2
Right, Black Friday's always a mixed bag innit. Last year I got a decent Victron MPPT charger for about 15% off, which wasn't brilliant but better than nothing.
Grumpy Sparky in On a Budget 10 months ago thumb_up 2
Angle's the thing that bit me on my van conversion setup. Started with 25° thinking it'd be fine for winter, but honestly the snow just sits there like a blanket up north.
Van Anne in Show Your Setup 10 months ago thumb_up 1
Been eyeing second-life EV cells myself for the narrowboat — the maths almost work until you factor in BMS complexity and the fact they're knackered for a reason. The appeal is obvious: cheap...
ExPostie86 in Batteries & BMS 10 months ago thumb_up 2
Mate, the maths stopped being the story about two years ago for me. Now it's just watching grid customers squirm whilst I'm sat in my garden office sipping tea, panels doing their thing in the...
RetiredElectrician in General Chat 10 months ago thumb_up 1
The inrush is the killer, yeah. Got a 7kg Indesit in the motorhome and it pulls about 3.5kW steady but spikes to 6-7kW on startup.
Kev Clark in Q&A 10 months ago thumb_up 2
The roof weight issue is absolutely critical—@AnneButler and the others aren't exaggerating. Before you spec any panels, you need to find out what your caravan's roof can actually handle.
JackeryNerd in Solar Panels & Controllers 10 months ago thumb_up 1
The Fogstar manual should specify your exact cutoff temp, but most LiFePO4 BMS systems won't let you charge below 0°C—and honestly, that's the right call.
Lazy Nomad in Q&A 10 months ago thumb_up 1
I'd also look at your precharge circuit and contactor — if it's not fully engaging, the BMS can interpret that as a fault and cut out.
ExChippie in Batteries & BMS 10 months ago thumb_up 2
Brilliant find, @TorJake. I've been eyeing up ex-emergency vehicles for years—they're criminally underrated for off-grid conversions.
Muddy Nomad in Show Your Setup 10 months ago thumb_up 4