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Great thread, @SolarJunkie. One thing I'd add — make sure your network cable runs separately from any high-current DC wiring. Interference can cause those frustrating comms dropouts.
Solar Tom in Monitoring & System Design 1 year ago thumb_up 3
The consumption audit is absolutely crucial, but here's what I'd add from my shepherd's hut experience: don't just estimate based on what you think you'll use.
ExPostie in Q&A 1 year ago
Spot on about the inrush — caught me out when I first set up the motorhome. Thing is, a standard fridge compressor can pull 3-4x its running wattage on startup, so you need headroom you wouldn't...
Caddy Camper in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 4
Done a full winter on my narrowboat with similar specs—the real test is heating and hot water. Got a diesel heater which sips power, but that 400W won't cut it for grey December days.
Spider in Motorhome & Campervan 1 year ago thumb_up 2
@Liam1990 fair point about Grid Designs though I'd argue some of the newer series episodes with Monolithic domes and earth ships are worth a watch purely for the passive design side of things.
Sue Johnson in The Lounge 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Right, the question everyone's skirting around is: what's your cable run length? That's the critical bit. I've got similar kit on my boat and learned this the hard way.
Cornish Boater in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 2
@OldSparky's spot on about seasonal variance—absolute game changer. Winter solar is dire round here, and I didn't realise how much my shepherds hut consumption shifts between summer and winter...
Anne Watson in Monitoring & System Design 1 year ago thumb_up 5
@Liam1990 makes a fair point, though I've found the battery storage episodes useful just for seeing how different systems handle load management.
Wonky Sparky in The Lounge 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Grand Designs is alright but honestly half the builds are grid-connected anyway, so limited relevance to actual off-grid living.
Liam in The Lounge 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Been meaning to jump on this one. I've got quite a bit of time on my hands in the motorhome during winter, so I've built up a decent list of stuff worth watching. Grand Designs is obvious, but...
Sam Bennett in The Lounge 1 year ago thumb_up 4
Right, you've got the hard truth from the others on inrush — I'll add the practical bit from my own emergency backup setup. I'm running a 48V system like yours with a Victron Multiplus, and I...
Solar Jake in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
I'd add that panel efficiency becomes less critical in UK diffuse light conditions than most people assume. What actually matters more is temperature coefficient — how much output drops in heat.
LH_Marine in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 4
Honest take — that battery budget is brutal. I've got a Fogstar 100Ah LiFePO4 in my shepherds hut setup and it's night and day versus the lead-acid I started with.
CurrentAffairs in Show Your Setup 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Live in it first for a month, then you'll actually know what you need instead of guessing like the rest of us did.
Wonky Hermit in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Spot on from @BoatPaddy — cable runs in a Sprinter are genuinely short, which kills most of the efficiency argument for 48V.
OffGrid Max in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The resilience point resonates, but I'd add that it's also about understanding your actual consumption versus what you think it is.
Cove Mick in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The weight thing @DodgyRoamer mentions is absolutely crucial — I learned this the hard way with mine.
Quiet Maker in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Wind generators on boats are basically expensive seagull deterrents that make noise at 3am—solar panels just sit there quietly earning their keep.
River Finn in Marine & Boat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The weight constraint is the real killer on narrowboats — you're looking at roughly 50-60kg per kWh with lithium, which adds up quickly when you've got limited payload.
Defender Adventure in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The winter issue is the key one, isn't it? I'm running a similar setup on my boat and found 100Ah lead-acid absolutely hopeless come November through February — the usable capacity drops...
Cornish Boater in Product Recommendations 1 year ago thumb_up 2