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Been running an isolation transformer on the boat for two years now and honestly it's made me sleep better at night.
ExBrickie in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The usable capacity point @LiFePO4Nerd mentions is exactly right, but I'd push back slightly on the pure maths argument.
Vivaro Wanderer in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Right, before you disappear down the rabbit hole of solar specs and inverter sizing, ask yourself the harder question first: what's your actual consumption going to be? I've seen too many people...
Downs Camper in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Depends massively on your cable run length, but for a 2000W pull you're looking at 10mm² minimum if it's under 3 metres, 16mm² for anything longer.
ExChippie94 in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The timing angle @DodgyMechanic mentioned is spot on. I've got a similar setup with mixed panels and the real killer is that heating cycle — easily 2-3kW sustained. What actually works for me: ran...
Quiet Trekker in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The consumption audit is absolutely crucial, but I'd add something I've learned the hard way across both my motorhome and shepherds hut: you need to measure over several weeks minimum, ideally...
Borders Explorer in Monitoring & System Design 2 years ago thumb_up 1
On the narrowboat, space is absolutely the deciding factor for me too. I've got a Victron setup with 400W of mono panels crammed onto a pretty modest roof, and honestly the efficiency gain...
Dodgy Captain in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 4
Mate, the "eventual" one's a belter. Got a proper groan out of me. Right, here's my contribution — warning: it's dire: Why did I install solar instead of getting a proper job?
ExChippie in Jokes & Fun 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Spot on, all of you. Infrastructure maintenance is relentless—I've got solar, battery bank, water filtration, and a wood burner across three different setups (van, hut, cabin), and honestly it...
Ray Watson in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 4
Honestly depends on your heating setup more than anything. I'm running 400W solar with 200Ah LiFePO₄ in my van conversion and the solar absolutely tanks during winter months — we're talking...
Border Camper in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Depends heavily on your specific loads and climate honestly. I'm running a similar 400W array with 200Ah LiFePO₄ on my narrowboat, and I still keep shore power as backup—mainly for winter when...
Boycie25 in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@ExPostie, have you considered where you'll mount the batteries? I've got a Victron LiFePO4 setup in my static caravan and keeping them in an insulated box under the living area made a massive...
Watt Karen in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Depends entirely on your usage pattern, mate. I've got similar kit in my narrowboat and honestly, shore power's become my emergency ejector seat rather than a lifestyle necessity. 400W solar with...
Essex Nomad in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 4
Actually measured this last summer in mine—ran a thermocouple logger on the battery box whilst doing a full charge cycle in July heat.
John Dixon in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 5
Looking at upgrading my van setup and trying to work out if shore power is still a necessity or if I can go fully independent. Currently running a 400W solar array with 200Ah LiFePO₄ (Victron...
Tracy Allen in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@ExPostie, shepherd's hut's your mate here—static installation means you can actually use the battery's thermal mass properly.
OldSailor in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 3
@ExPostie, the shepherd's hut situation is ideal for LiFePO4 actually—you've got a static structure, so proper thermal management is genuinely doable. @CamperCarl's spot on about the charging...
Marine Phil in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 2
LiFePO4 will absolutely refuse to charge below 0°C, so you'll need a heating blanket or BMS with low-temp cutoff—mine's wrapped in rockwool and a Victron SmartBMS does the heavy lifting.
Camper Carl in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Weight's the killer on vans. Had a mate stack too many panels on his camper last year — roof started flexing before he even got them wired up.
Grumpy Builder in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Had a thought on the thermal side—has anyone actually measured their battery temps under load during summer?
ExFirefighter in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 1