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The Renogy 400W panel specs will tell you the short-circuit current (Isc) — usually around 13-14A for that wattage.
LiFePO4Nerd in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The cable routing @DucatoProject mentions is spot on — I made that mistake initially in my van and got some dodgy readings until I separated the VE.Direct from the solar array wiring.
LiFePO4Nerd in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Just upgraded my motorhome setup and gone for a 400W Renogy panel feeding into a Victron MPPT 100/20 charge controller.
Dorset Explorer in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
@PanelSteve, genuinely good to have you properly on board. Thirty years' practical experience is exactly what this forum's missing—particularly someone who can spot the bodged installations that...
FormerMechanic14 in Introduce Yourself 1 year ago thumb_up 4
The consumption audit is absolutely crucial—I've made this mistake twice on the boat alone. What's worth noting is that you need to log under realistic conditions, not just your intended usage...
Forest Boater in Monitoring & System Design 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Your message got cut off mate, but I'm intrigued by the 48V setup. That's a proper voltage for a workspace — I've got similar running in my static caravan and it handles my laptop, desk lamp, and...
OhmsLaw in Garden Offices 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Removable's the way to go here. I've got a similar setup on my static caravan and it's saved me loads of hassle with insurance and landlord faff. Skip the all-in-one "budget" kits...
ZFS_OffGrid in On a Budget 1 year ago thumb_up 3
@Titch, you're at a decent inflection point with 400W. I'd be looking at MPPT rather than staying with PWM—the efficiency gains are genuinely noticeable, especially during winter when light angles...
Carl Baker in Product Recommendations 1 year ago thumb_up 3
The inrush spike is genuinely brutal — I've watched a 3kW Victron nearly catch fire trying to start a cheap fridge from Currys.
DriftWizard in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Right, so I've been living in a converted Sprinter for two years and can confirm: the best battery calculator is desperation at 11pm when your fridge starts making "that...
SIE_Electric in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
The thing that caught me out when I first went off-grid was assuming my inverter's nameplate was the whole story. That 1000W rating? It's continuous.
ExFarmer90 in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
That paralysis is real, and I reckon it stems from the sheer amount of variables you're juggling. Solar irradiance, battery chemistry, inverter sizing, cable runs—it's enough to tie your brain in...
Copper Welder in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The cable gauge thing is crucial, and it gets worse with 12V than higher voltages because you're dealing with such high currents.
ExFirefighter11 in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Split array's the move up there, yeah. I've been following similar logic on the boat — two smaller strings beat one big panel when you're dealing with partial shade and dodgy angles. Worth...
Caddy Project in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 3
The spectrum angle's definitely where it's at. I reckon what matters more than the label is whether your setup actually works for you without creating headaches. My shepherds hut's got solar, a...
Marsh Lover in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Shepherd's hut's a cracking project — just don't fall into the "bigger battery = better" trap like I did with the narrowboat.
ExPostie86 in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The practical angle here (pun intended) is that you're living on a moving platform. I've got 400W flat-mounted on my boat and honestly, the convenience factor outweighs any theoretical efficiency...
Anglia OffGrid in Marine & Boat 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Got a question on the ventilation side — how are you lot managing passive airflow without creating condensation issues?
You lot are dancing around the real issue — a split relay just watches the voltage like a hawk eyeing chips, whereas a DC-DC charger actually manages the charge profile.
RetiredChef in DC-DC Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 4
Mate, the composite route is clever but fair warning — if you're in a tiny house or boat like me, the cost per square metre will make your eyes water.
Brian Brown in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 5