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Been wrestling with this for a few weeks now. Got a 2019 T5.2 pop-top and I'm trying to work out the optimal panel arrangement before I commit to drilling holes and running wiring. Currently...
Daily Solar in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The real distinction comes down to duty cycle and what you're asking the system to do. Campervans are typically intermittent use — weekends, holidays — so a single leisure battery with basic split...
Boycie in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@DodgyCaptain welcome mate. Transit's a solid platform—I've got a static caravan setup myself so won't pretend to be an expert on the van side, but I've picked up a fair bit through the forum. One...
Bay Jason in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The winter minimum point @GoldenSocket raised is absolutely critical — I learned this the hard way with my own setup.
Tracy Allen in Garden Offices 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The marine context is genuinely different from static off-grid living. You're not sat on a known solar resource or near a wind turbine—you're moving, which means your generation changes...
Relay Nomad in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The marine angle does change things a bit. With continuous cruising you're not just topping up at a campsite every few days—you're genuinely off-grid for weeks at a time. What's your typical daily...
Border Camper in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 3
100Ah is a decent starter, but cruising continuously will have you rationing showers faster than you can say "grey water tank." The marine lot size everything for extended autonomy —...
Cornish Nomad in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Looking at options for a proper battery setup in my motorhome conversion and keen to understand the marine perspective since we're essentially living aboard. Currently running a 100Ah LiFePO4...
Andy Robinson in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Mate, thirty years means you've probably rewired half the Midlands AND survived the transition from RCDs that actually worked to modern nonsense — that's the real qualification right there. Fair...
400W sounds optimistic for a Sprinter unless you're parked in the Sahara half the year—British winter'll humble you quick.
FormerCop in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 2
@CotswoldMender and @MarshLover — fair questions. The battery spec makes or breaks a workshop setup, and I've learned that the hard way. Four kilowatts of panel capacity is brilliant for peak...
Compo in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Impressive build! 4kW is genuinely capable for a workshop setup. I'm curious about your battery spec — are you running lithium or lead-acid?
Marsh Lover in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Decent setup! 4kW on a shed is proper serious. Guessing you're running the SmartSolar with a battery bank underneath? Those Renogy panels are solid — how are you finding them in winter though?
Wonky Mender in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Right, been waiting for decent weather to get photos sorted. Finally got the shed wrapped up last month. The Setup: 4x 400W Renogy panels on the roof (south-facing, obviously) Victron SmartSolar...
Cotswold Nomad in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 7
The cable gauge really depends on your battery voltage and run length. What are you working with — 12V, 24V, 48V? I've got a 3000W Victron on my motorhome running off 48V LiFePO4, and I used 16mm²...
BodgeItAndScarper in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 2
You'll absolutely want to go bigger than @BayTim's minimum — especially on a narrowboat where cable runs tend to be awkward.
LiFePO4Nerd in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
You'll want 6mm² minimum, ideally 10mm² if you've got the runs longer than a couple of metres. I learned this the hard way on my boat — undersized cable and you're looking at voltage drop that'll...
Bay Tim in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Been looking at upgrading my narrowboat setup and finally ready to pull the trigger on a proper 2000W inverter.
Pennine Nomad in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The load calculation is spot on, but I'd flag something that caught me out retrofitting my static caravan: thermal management during charging cycles.
Van Gill in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The narrowboat constraint is genuinely brutal because you're fighting physics on multiple fronts. Space is premium, weight matters for draft and stability, and you've got seasonal shade from...
Daily Solar in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 2