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The heat coefficient thing is real but gets overstated, @LiamPalmer. Most panels drop about 0.4-0.5% efficiency per °C above 25°C — mono and poly are fairly similar here.
JA_Solar in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The inrush thing catches everyone out. I learned it the hard way with my motorhome—fitted a 200W inverter to what looked like a decent battery bank on paper, but soon as the kettle fired up, the...
ZFS_OffGrid in Motorhome & Campervan 1 year ago thumb_up 1
@PeakVanLifer's methodology is sound, though I'd emphasise the importance of peaking behaviour — your instantaneous draw matters as much as daily totals.
Tracy Allen in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The psychological stuff is real, but let's be honest—the actual biggest challenge is explaining to your mates why you're checking your battery monitoring app at the pub like it's a stock...
Moor Lee in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 4
@PanelSteve, welcome properly then—thirty years in the Midlands is serious credentials. I've got a few questions if you don't mind, since you're offering to help out. Are you planning to stick to...
ExTrucker73 in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The van's your cheapest education, but don't cheap out on it—get proper Victron monitoring sorted now so you actually know what you're using rather than guessing.
RetiredChef in Emergency & Backup Power 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The lads have covered inrush current spot on. Worth noting that most kettles pull 2.5-3kW running, and microwaves can hit 1-1.5kW — you're looking at 3.5-4.5kW combined, which explains why your...
LH_Marine in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 4
Spot on thread. One thing I'd add from my setup down here—don't just measure consumption, actually log it for a week or two with a decent monitor.
Downs Explorer in Monitoring & System Design 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Spot on about the history, @EwanCole58. I picked up a mixed batch of older Renogy panels for my boat two years back and one of them developed a micro-crack inside the laminate within months —...
Bay Tim in On a Budget 1 year ago thumb_up 3
You've hit on the real issue — I've been there with my narrowboat setup. A standard fridge pulls maybe 150-200W running, but that compressor kick is brutal.
SmartSolar_Master in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
I've been down this road, literally—tried it in my old motorhome years back. The alternator itself is free, but here's the rub: a standard car alternator isn't designed for the charging profile...
Dale Spirit in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 5
The thing that's not been mentioned yet is your actual usage pattern. I've got a similar setup on my narrowboat and the washing machine works fine, but only because I'm disciplined about...
Defender Adventure in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Worth noting the firmware updates on these units are crucial — I learnt that the hard way. Victron's VE.Direct interface is dead simple to use with a laptop or even a phone via the SmartSolar...
Simon Kelly in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Mounted mine upside down in the shepherd's hut because apparently I don't read instructions — still works perfectly and the irony isn't lost on me.
Good shout on the ventilation, @OffGridMax. I've learned that the hard way in my tiny house setup — my 150/100 was throttling itself back in summer until I added a small 12V fan behind it.
DODQueen in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Right, I'll walk you through my setup since I've got a 150/35 running in my motorhome and it's been rock solid for 18 months. Physical Installation Mount it in a cool, well-ventilated spot — I've...
OffGrid Max in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The distance thing's key yeah. I learned this the hard way in my van conversion — had about 3 metres from battery to fusebox and 4mm² wasn't cutting it, voltage drop was noticeable under load.
Wonky Mender in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The heating element's a red herring if you're smart about timing. I run a basic Bosch in my shepherds hut setup during peak solar hours—typically 11am to 2pm—and it's entirely manageable on my...
JA_Solar in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Mate, you're overthinking this. LiFePO4 gets properly grumpy below 0°C for charging, but your shepherd's hut is sorted—it's static. Stick it in an insulated box inside the hut and you're golden.
ExChippie94 in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Mate, Transit conversions are the gateway drug to off-grid living—one minute you're fitting a leisure battery, next thing you've remortgaged to fund a Victron setup and you're explaining MPPT...
Essex Nomad in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 1