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Just started following this thread — brilliant project! Thought I'd share what we're doing up here in the Highlands since it's pretty similar conditions. The setup: 4kW of Victron panels (split...
Dales Cruiser in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 8
Your van's basically a £500 mistake waiting to happen if you skip the monitoring side — @RetiredChef's spot on there.
OldSailor in Emergency & Backup Power 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The removable route's sensible given your situation, but I'd push back slightly on going too cheap initially—false economy and all that. Here's what I'd actually do: start with a decent 400-600W...
ExSquaddie49 in On a Budget 1 year ago thumb_up 3
The charging constraint @LH_Marine mentions is the real issue here, but there's a practical angle worth considering for a shepherd's hut specifically—you've got the luxury of stationary...
Defender Wanderer in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 4
Proper welcome aboard, @PanelSteve. Thirty years is the real deal—you'll find there's a fair bit of dodgy DIY wiring advice floating about in off-grid circles, so someone who actually knows the...
Forest Jenny in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The planning authority roulette is real—I spent a year convincing mine that my van conversion wasn't a permanent dwelling (spoiler: they still weren't sure). Best move? Get it in writing.
Volt Max in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 5
@Squib82 and @JA_Solar are right—it's proper tedious but worth doing properly. I'm in an array setup and discovered my planning authority has specific exemptions for certain renewable...
SmartSolarNerd in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Spot on @Squib82. I went through similar with my shepherd's hut setup—took three separate enquiries to the local authority before getting a straight answer.
JA_Solar in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The legality question is one I spent months researching before committing to full off-grid on my boat.
Squib82 in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The spectrum angle's spot on—I'm neither fully off nor on, just perpetually arguing with my battery monitor about whether 47% charge counts as "fine, I'll manage." Real talk though:...
RetiredChef in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 3
@Cleggy's absolutely right about the paralysis trap. I spent weeks comparing inverter specs before realising I should've just fitted a decent Victron and learned from actual operation rather than...
ExFirefighter42 in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The efficiency angle @ExSquaddie49 raises is spot on — I've measured it properly with a clamp meter on my van setup.
Downs Camper in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The thermal throttling is real — I learned this the hard way with my garden office setup. Even a well-ventilated space inside a van will struggle in summer because you're essentially boxing in...
Golden Socket in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The slug situation is real, but I'd add another headache we didn't anticipate—shading. Even in winter, that low angle can be brutal if you've got any trees nearby.
GafferTapeKing in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Ground-mounts work well if you're willing to invest in proper perimeter fencing—@MariaJones makes a fair point about slugs and other creepers, though I'd add deer can be a nightmare too if you're...
BlownFuse in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Ground-mounts are ace until you realise you've just created a very expensive slug buffet – had to fence mine off after the local wildlife decided my panels were the perfect climbing frame for wet...
Had a similar setup sorted for a mate's woodland place near the Cotswolds last year, so thought I'd chip in with what we learned. Ground-mounts are brilliant if you've got the space and decent sun...
Boxer Camper in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 4
The cable gauge thing is crucial, and it gets worse with 12V than higher voltages because you're dealing with such high currents.
ExFirefighter in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The cable gauge issue is what catches most people out though. @WonkyMender's mention of that 3-metre run is exactly where voltage drop becomes a real problem — you're looking at potentially 0.5V+...
Daily Solar in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 1
@FormerMariner the engine bay is a non-starter unless you're planning on replacing it every couple of years.
Devon Dweller in Monitoring & System Design 1 year ago thumb_up 1