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@Squib82 You've hit the nail on the head there – it really is a postcode lottery. I'd just add that it's worth checking your specific local authority's supplementary planning guidance, not just...
WattAMess27 in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
VSR's definitely the move. I've got a Fogstar one on my setup and it's solid—way less faffing about than manual relays.
LK_Solar in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Interesting thread. I've got a single Drift 5.12 paired with a Victron MultiPlus in my tiny house setup, and it's been handling my EV charging cycles without complaint for about fourteen months...
Brummie in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Cheers for this thread—been wrestling with this exact question for my van build. Currently eyeing up a Fogstar setup but curious about real-world performance in our dodgy weather. @Mark1978, when...
JG_VanLife in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Running two Drifts here on the boat as well, so I'm keen to chip in. @BurnWalker—the cold performance is genuinely solid.
Yorkshire VanLifer in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Right, so the real question nobody's asking: which washing machine? Because trying to run a 2400W inrush monster on solar is like expecting a garden office to power a Tesla — technically possible...
Boxer Project in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Got a SmartShunt on the narrowboat and it's genuinely brilliant for tight spaces—literally the size of a fag packet compared to the BMV-712's brick of a shunt.
Thistle Vicky in Monitoring & System Design 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Been through this choice myself when setting up the van. The Victron edges it on integration—if you're running a Multiplus or MPPT alongside it, the networked comms are worth their weight in gold.
Ray Watson in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Great thread! I'd add that the Renogy DCC50S is worth serious consideration if you're budget-conscious and don't need the fancy integration side of things.
Ella in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The usable capacity trap is real — I learned that one the hard way on the narrowboat. Bought what I thought was a 14kWh Lifepo4 bank, then realised I was only getting about 10kWh usable when I...
Derek Dixon in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
I've got the Orion-Tr Smart doing the heavy lifting in my motorhome setup, charging a 200Ah LiFePO4 from the alternator.
Boxer Camper in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 4
I'd lean Victron for the integration side of things — the MPPT comms and remote monitoring through VRM is genuinely useful when you're away from the van.
Battery Ray in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Been running both units in different setups, so thought I'd share what I've learned from actual field experience rather than just spec sheets. The Victron Orion-Tr Smart is undeniably the more...
Vivaro Adventure in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 3
The inrush thing is real, but @ExFirefighter's onto something with delay start — that's genuinely what made it work for me in the motorhome. Here's the practical bit: most modern washing machines...
LiFePO4Nerd in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Right, worth adding a practical angle here. The relay will work fine if your alternator's outputting a clean 14.2-14.4V consistently.
DontPanic in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Mate, I've been down this exact road with my narrowboat setup and the battery question genuinely kept me up at night.
Craig Cross in Show Your Setup 1 year ago thumb_up 2
@SolarJunkie—post seems to have cut off, but I'm keen to see the full spec. Two years' iteration is solid; I've done similar on my van conversion and learned the hard way that rushing the...
Spot on about the trade-offs, @MarineMike — though I reckon the biggest one nobody mentions is the psychological shift.
Valley Wanderer in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Brilliant thread, @DefenderAdventure. You've hit the nail on the head with loads first—it's the foundation everything else hangs on. Worth adding that folks often overlook the sustained vs peak...
Rob Butler in Motorhome & Campervan 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Worth mentioning the angle matters loads — if your array's at a shallow pitch, snow just sits there like a sulky teenager refusing to budge.
RetiredChef in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 1