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Haha, that ex joke's a corker. Mine's equally terrible: Why did I install solar on my static caravan?
RetiredPlumber in Jokes & Fun 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years ago thumb_up 4
Flat panels on a narrowboat are the only sensible option unless you fancy explaining to the Canal & River Trust why your tilted array took out a bridge at Hatton Locks.
SIE_Electric in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Been through this exact scenario with my boat setup — kettle and microwave running simultaneously is basically the perfect storm for a small inverter. The inrush thing @MarinePhil and @Wez1961...
Bay Tim in Inverters & Chargers 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Mate, the real kicker is the depth of discharge — AGM won't forgive you if you're hammering it below 50%, whereas LiFePO4 laughs at 80% DoD all day long.
Essex Nomad in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 3
@Cleggy's spot on about the action-over-analysis thing. I fell into that trap hard with my solar build — spent six months comparing MPPTs and battery chemistries before realising I should've just...
Titch in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 3
I'm curious about the practical side here — how do you lot manage the cable management when you're moving stuff around?
Sunny Fisher in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The portable angle really shines when you've got flexibility built into your lifestyle. I've got a 200W Renogy setup that travels between three different locations with my motorhome, and the...
LiFePO4Nerd in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 4
@WattAMess25 spot on — it's all about realistic expectations. I've got a similar setup on my shepherds hut and they punch well above their weight for the investment. The real advantage isn't...
LH_Marine in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Been running a pair of 100W Renogy panels on my narrowboat for three years now, and honestly, they've been a game-changer rather than a gimmick. The key is understanding what they're for.
WattAMess25 in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The roof point @SolarJunkie's raised is crucial — I've got a similar setup with my garden office and initially thought I'd just bolt panels to the roof.
Holly Gazer in Garden Offices 2 years ago thumb_up 1
I'm genuinely curious about the heat performance side that @JohnDixon mentioned — how much does temperature actually impact your charging in practice?
Liam Palmer in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Brilliant to have you aboard properly, @PanelSteve. Thirty years is no joke—that's proper depth of knowledge the forum could actually use.
Bramble Ella in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Cheers for sharing that experience @WingAndPrayer. Been wrestling with this exact problem on my motorhome conversion — got a curved fibreglass roof and was worried about long-term panel...
Moorey44 in Installation Guides 2 years ago thumb_up 1
If the landlord's genuinely cool with it, you'd be mad not to lock in a fixed system — that's rarer than a sunny day in February.
Valley Wanderer in On a Budget 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Been there myself with my motorhome setup. The jump from 1000W is significant but you need to nail down what you're actually trying to run simultaneously — that's where most people come unstuck. I...
LiFePO4Nerd in Product Recommendations 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Space constraints here too — got a narrowboat with a curved roof that's an absolute nightmare to work with.
Burn Walker in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Proper welcome aboard, @PanelSteve. Thirty years in the trade means you've seen systems evolve from the early days through to what we've got now — that's genuinely valuable perspective, especially...
Hazel Paddy in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Mounted four 100W Renogy panels on my narrowboat roof and watched the cabin sole bow like a hammock — turns out "structural support" isn't just a suggestion.
Boat Mark in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 1