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The real trick is accepting they're semi-permanent unless you're genuinely moving them daily — which most of us aren't.
FormerCop in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The battery drain issue @OldSailor's hinting at is absolutely critical. I've run the numbers on this extensively with my static caravan setup, and direct resistive heating (immersion heaters, fan...
Downs Camper in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Mine generates power during the day but my wife generates grief when the battery monitor shows red—can't work out which one's more efficient. Honestly though @BorderCamper, that inverter one's...
Camper Carl in Jokes & Fun 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Been thinking about this setup—@CotswoldNomad, what's your actual load profile like in the workshop?
Rusty Skipper in Show Your Setup 1 year ago thumb_up 3
PWM's fine if you're skint or running a tiny system, but MPPT's where the magic happens when you've got decent panel voltage to play with — which you usually do unless you're running a single 100W...
FormerCop in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
A proper DC fridge is the obvious move here — @CornishNomad's spot on — but if you're set on a conventional unit, you're looking at a 3000W inverter minimum to handle the compressor inrush,...
RetiredChef in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Thinking about doing the same swap in my garden office setup—currently sitting on ageing AGM that needs replacing every few years. @MuddySkipper, did you end up going for the pair?
Smithy98 in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Battery anxiety is just what we call "checking the Victron display every 47 seconds" up here, mate — it's basically meditation at this point. Seriously though, the Highlands are ace for...
Valley Child in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Brilliant to have you joining! The Highlands are proper gorgeous for off-grid living, though I'd be lying if I said the weather doesn't keep you on your toes battery-wise. What's your current...
Bramble Ella in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The Highlands are absolutely brilliant for off-grid, but yeah—you're going to get intimately familiar with your battery state of charge during winter.
Van Gill in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Mate, the cable routing thing is genuinely crucial — I had mine bundled next to the battery cables like some sort of amateur and spent a week convinced my panels were dying in the shade.
Moor Lee in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Alright, welcome aboard! Always nice to see another Highlands enthusiast — though I'm guessing you've already discovered that "off-grid" and "Scottish weather" are basically...
ShesBeRight in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Fair question @Rob1963. Yeah, it does stop things going catastrophically wrong, but that's just the headline. What's actually clever about a BMS is the balancing bit.
Border Camper in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The weight difference is genuinely transformative—I went through this moving my static caravan setup between sites.
Dale Spirit in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Yeah, the planning authority roulette is proper maddening. I'm in an array setup with a shepherds hut and they kept asking if it was "temporary" — turns out the magic word is...
Fiona in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Yep, voltage drop is a killer. I used a Victron calculator tool ages back on the boat and it was eye-opening—turned out I needed nearly double what I'd planned for my solar array run to the charge...
Golden Gaffer in Monitoring & System Design 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Spot on with the "stops it exploding" bit, but there's more to it. Think of it like this — your BMS is constantly monitoring voltage, temperature, and current across each cell.
Harry in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Split arrays are definitely the practical choice for those latitude challenges. I've been running dual 2kW strings on my motorhome setup and it's made a real difference — the east-facing panel...
Louise in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Been there with the weight issue—moving a lead-acid bank around is backbreaking work, literally. Switched to a 48V LiFePO4 setup on my boat last year and haven't looked back. The charging thing...
Callum Hobbs in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Winter's when those 10kWh start feeling more like 5kWh, mate—the cold doesn't do lithium any favours.
RetiredNurse49 in Emergency & Backup Power 1 year ago thumb_up 1