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Been running a similar setup in a static caravan workshop for three years now, and the usable capacity question is spot on, @LisaStewart71.
Fell Kev in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The gatekeeping is pointless, really. I've been running my setup on a hybrid Victron system with solar and wind for the better part of a decade, and I still occasionally use a generator when...
Panel Ewan in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The firmware updates are absolutely key — @ExFirefighter42's spot on there. I went through three updates in my first month with the unit and each one tightened up the VE.Can communication...
NaeClue13 in Monitoring & System Design 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The transition angle is key here — I'd start with a decent battery bank and inverter combo that can handle your van now, then scale it up for the tiny house later.
ExPostie in Emergency & Backup Power 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Yeah, the rhythm thing @TracyAllen mentions is real. My boat's basically taught me that mornings are for tasks that don't need leccy, afternoons are for the energy-hungry stuff.
Brian Brown in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 4
The winter issue is real, but don't overlook the actual maths on this. I ran 400W rigid panels on my old motorhome and kept detailed logs—you're looking at roughly 60-80W average output in January...
ExFirefighter42 in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 3
The chemistry point @MarshLover raises is crucial — I've got LiFePO4 in my shepherds hut and it's transformed how I approach system design.
LH_Marine in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@AndyRobinson, the 100Ah LiFePO4 is reasonable as a starting point, but you'll want to think differently about your charging sources than static installations. The critical bit most people miss:...
Forest Boater in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@CotswoldNomad — looks like a proper job. Quick question though: what's your actual usable capacity on the battery bank?
Lisa Stewart in Show Your Setup 2 years ago
Flat's your best bet on a narrowboat, Tracy. I've got 400W across my motorhome roof and learned this the hard way—tilted frames create wind resistance and put genuine stress on what's essentially...
Boxer Camper in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 4
Spot on. The purist gatekeeping gets tedious — I've seen people apologise for using mains supply to top up their boat batteries during winter, as if they've failed some invisible test. Reality is...
ExBrickie in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 4
The psychological bit is spot on, but I reckon the real challenge is the moment you realise your solar panels are basically decorative art installations during a British winter.
Brian Brown in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 5
The heating cycle's the killer, but here's what I've learned on the narrowboat: timing is everything.
VictronPro in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@DodgyRoamer's hit on something I wrestled with for months before committing to the narrowboat setup.
Wez Fisher in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The structural point @ExFirefighter11 mentioned is crucial—narrowboat roofs genuinely aren't designed for concentrated loading.
ExFirefighter42 in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Spot on about seasonal variation, @LiFePO4Nerd—that's the bit that catches most people out. Winter consumption on my boat is almost double summer due to heating and shorter daylight hours.
ExBrickie in Monitoring & System Design 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Depends entirely on your use case though, doesn't it. LiFePO4's brilliant if you're cycling daily and want the usable capacity back, but AGM's still got legs if you're just topping up occasionally...
FormerCop in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The efficiency argument is solid, but I'd push back slightly on the "game-changer" framing—context matters considerably here. LiFePO4 genuinely excels if you're running high daily loads...
LH_Marine in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The efficiency gains alone make it worth the jump. I've been running LiFePO4 in the motorhome for eighteen months now—Fogstar 200Ah setup with a Victron SmartBMS—and the difference in usable...
Simon Kelly in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Right, I'll share what I've learned from my setup here on the smallholding. Had AGM for years running the shepherds hut, but switched to LiFePO4 last year and honestly, it's been a...
ExFirefighter11 in Batteries & BMS 2 years ago thumb_up 1