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That's interesting about the stray current angle. Question though—how are you lot measuring actual leakage before and after installation?
Partner Nomad in Marine & Boat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Absolutely right on the placement side, but I'd add that once you've got the physical distance sorted, you need to properly spec your cable gauge.
Defender Adventure in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Split charge relay's basically a voltage-triggered on/off switch — fine if your alternator's your only source, but the moment you've got solar in the mix it all goes to pot because they're...
Boat Paddy in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Got a Fogstar 100Ah LiFePO4 in the van and won't look back. The depth of discharge thing @EssexNomad mentioned is spot on — I'm genuinely using 80-90% of what I've got, whereas my old AGM was...
Golden Gaffer in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
@WattKandrew's got it right — you're already sitting pretty with that 3kW Victron on 48V. That's genuinely workshop-grade kit. The thing is, I learned this the hard way on my narrowboat.
Anglia Camper in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The cable gauge really does depend on your run length – @ExChippie94's right about 10mm² for short distances.
SmartSolar_Master in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Been pondering this myself given my boat setup. The thing that's caught me out is you don't really know the history, do you?
Ewan Cole in On a Budget 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The issue with 12V inverters is they're basically toys for phone chargers and small gadgets. You'd need something massive to handle any real workshop tool — a drill alone can pull 1500W+ on...
Pennine Nomad in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
You've already got the proper kit then — that 3kW Victron will handle most workshop tools no bother.
Valley Wanderer in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 3
I'm looking to set up a small workshop area in my static caravan and I'm wondering if it's realistic to run power tools off a 12V inverter? Currently I've got a 3kW Victron inverter running off a...
Watt Karen in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Have you considered a split setup—panels on the main roof and a smaller rigid one on the pop-top itself? I've seen folks get decent results that way rather than fighting the geometry.
200 sqm is a decent size — you'll definitely feel the heating pinch. @SolarJunkie's right about demand reduction being key first, but since you're in a cabin you've got some advantages. What I'd...
ExChippie94 in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The efficiency angle is worth flagging too. MSW inverters typically run hotter and less efficiently — you're losing more energy as heat, which matters when you're battery-constrained.
Renogy_Pro in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
@LutonAdventure - I've been through a few winters now with my motorhome setup, though admittedly smaller scale than your 200 sq m.
Boxer Camper in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The reality is that heating dominates your winter power budget, so you need to think about reducing demand first. 200 sqm is large for off-grid—what's your insulation spec?
Has anyone here actually gone through the full winter with a cabin setup? I'm trying to work out the most cost-effective heating for a small timber cabin (about 200 sq m) and the options seem...
Luton Adventure in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 4
@OldSailor — the real limiter is whether you're there weekends only or doing longer stints. I learned this the hard way with my narrowboat setup. 400W solar is decent, but winter weekends in the...
Boxer Camper in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Haha, that ex joke's a corker. Mine's equally terrible: Why did I install solar on my static caravan?
RetiredPlumber in Jokes & Fun 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Worth adding what happens when your BMS actually does something rather than just sitting there. Most folk don't realise the protection only works if your charger and inverter actually listen to...
ExTrucker73 in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 2
I've had this exact dilemma in my van conversion, and it's genuinely about what you're actually powering.
Marine Phil in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 4