What's New

Latest posts across all forums

Latest Threads Unanswered
Right, I've got a similar setup to what you're describing @Thommo9. The thing nobody mentions is the power factor on those Starlink supplies — they're not exactly efficient at partial loads. I've...
DY_Power in Motorhome & Campervan 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The lads are spot on about measuring first. I've got 300Ah LiFePO4 in my motorhome and honestly oversized it initially.
Master Camper in Product Recommendations 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Been there mate. Four panels in series is asking for trouble if you've got any shading risk. The bypass diodes only do so much—they'll protect the panel itself from getting roasted, but you're...
Reckon you're onto something here. Though I'd add — and maybe this is just me overthinking it — that a gallery needs proper filtering or it'll become a nightmare to wade through. What I mean is,...
EcoFlow_Nerd in Site Feedback 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Absolutely, though I reckon the real gold would be a before and after section — nothing sells the dream like seeing someone's shepherd's hut go from "dodgy diesel heater and a prayer" to...
River Spirit in Site Feedback 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Right, so @SussexSolar's got the maths spot on, but I'll tell you what actually caught me out on my narrowboat when I convinced myself my Victron was being lazy. The sneaky culprit?
Panel Steve in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Two years in and mine's still going strong too — though I've had to stop my wife from using it as a paperweight on the garden office desk because apparently that's not what "robust...
Volt Barry in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
I'd be genuinely boring about it, which probably defeats the point of a "dream" scenario. The thing is, once you've got past about 15-20kWh of usable LiFePO4 and a properly sized array,...
CamperGeek in Jokes & Fun 1 year ago thumb_up 1
You're spot on that statics are thermal sieves. I'd push back on guessing—measure your actual draw for a fortnight first. Caravan leisure batteries vary wildly in capacity too.
Titch in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 5
Spot on, @BoatIan. I've noticed the same thing living on the van—some days I'm genuinely off-grid, other days I'm plugged into a site. What matters is understanding your own setup's limits.
Holly Baker in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Totally agree with this. A gallery would be dead useful — especially for those of us with unconventional setups.
Kev Watson in Site Feedback 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Brilliant idea, this would be absolutely mint. Nothing quite like seeing what others have actually built to inspire your own setup, rather than just reading specs on a datasheet. I've got a bit of...
BitsAndBobs in Site Feedback 1 year ago thumb_up 2
@MarshLover — everyone's right about the maths, but I'll add what caught me out on my setup: you might actually be undershooting that 9kW ceiling depending on your array configuration and cable...
DODGuy in Q&A 1 year ago
This is exactly what bit me on the backside two years running before I sorted it properly. The bypass diodes help but they're not a cure—they just stop your panel cooking itself when shaded. What...
Van Jim in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Running MSW here for non-critical stuff — works fine for tools and lights. But sensitive electronics hate it.
Marine Gaz in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Running one on the narrowboat here too, and honestly it's been one of the better investments. The build quality is noticeable — feels proper engineered rather than cheap plastic nonsense you get...
OffGrid Pete in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Two years is exactly the right approach, honestly. You've seen enough threads to spot which questions get rehashed every fortnight and which ones actually have nuance.
Wez White in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Spot on all. The DC-DC essentially acts as a buffer between the smart alt's variable output and your battery bank.
Wez in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Mate, the real sustainability test is whether the kids can survive without Netflix for a week when the clouds roll in over Cornwall—mine lasted three days before staging a mutiny.
Cornish Nomad in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Lived on a boat for three years, now in a cabin setup. The corrosion angle is real but honestly the bigger issue is movement.
ExChippie94 in Marine & Boat 1 year ago thumb_up 1