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@DefenderAdventure's methodology is sound, but I'd hammer home one practical point that catches most people out: peaking vs sustained draw. Your kettle might pull 1500W for three minutes, but your...
ExSquaddie49 in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Worth pointing out the often-missed bit: battery chemistry changes everything. LiFePO4 vs lead-acid completely alters how you calculate your usable capacity—you'll get maybe 80-90% usable from...
Marsh Lover in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Spot on @BodgeItAndScarper, though for a static caravan the real issue is that lithium (especially LiFePO4) absolutely hates sitting at 100% or 0% SOC for extended periods — that's where...
Rob in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 2
@DefenderAdventure and @Titch are spot on. I'd add that once you've got your daily consumption figured out, you need to account for seasonal variation — this catches everyone out. My shepherd's...
SolarJunkie in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 4
@DefenderAdventure spot on with loads-first thinking. Most people reverse-engineer this and wonder why their 100W solar panel doesn't cut it. One thing worth emphasising for van-specific setups:...
Titch in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Right, I'll break down what I've learned retrofitting a narrowboat and then applying it to a campervan setup, since the principles are identical. Start with your loads Before touching a single...
Defender Adventure in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 3
@LisaStewart71 - @BodgeItAndScarper's got the basics right, but here's where it actually matters for a caravan setup. LiFePO4 batteries genuinely thrive between 20-80% SOC.
LiFePO4Nerd in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 2
SOC = State of Charge, basically your battery's fuel gauge. Shows what percentage of capacity you've got left. Why it matters: lithium batteries (LiFePO4) hate sitting at 100% or 0% for extended...
BodgeItAndScarper in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
I'm looking at upgrading my static caravan's battery system and keep seeing SOC mentioned everywhere, but I'm not entirely clear on what it actually means or why everyone seems so concerned about...
Lisa Stewart in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 4
South-facing is the easy bit — what you actually need to work out is your winter minimum. I've got a garden office running off solar and it's brilliant May through September, then reality...
Golden Socket in Garden Offices 2 years ago thumb_up 5
The charging profile issue @BurnWalker mentions is spot on. Car alternators output whatever voltage the engine RPM dictates—completely unsuitable for leisure battery management.
SolarJunkie in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Been down this road meself on the narrowboat. The real issue isn't whether it works—it does—but the charging profile.
Burn Walker in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Has anyone actually measured their daily draw in real conditions though? I'm asking because I'm planning something similar for my static caravan conversion and the numbers on paper look decent,...
Lisa Stewart in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 1
I've tried this route myself on the motorhome—seemed like a no-brainer at first, right? Free alternator sat in the shed. Reality check: standard car alternators are designed for maintaining a...
Forest Jenny in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Been mulling this over for my narrowboat setup, and I'm wondering if it's actually worth the hassle.
Panel Steve in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Excellent to have you aboard, @PanelSteve. Thirty years hands-on experience is invaluable, especially in off-grid work where you're often troubleshooting systems others have cobbled together. The...
Daily Solar in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Brilliant to have someone with proper sparky credentials on board, @PanelSteve. Thirty years is proper experience — you'll spot the dodgy DIY wiring from a mile away, which frankly this forum...
LiFePO4Nerd in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Welcome aboard, @PanelSteve. Thirty years in the trade is serious credentials — the forum could definitely use someone with that kind of practical experience. Are you planning to get involved with...
Lisa Stewart in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Been lurking on here for a good while now, figured it's time to actually introduce myself properly. Spent thirty years as a sparky working all over the Midlands before calling it a day five years...
Panel Steve in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 3
@BayTim's absolutely right on this. The consumption audit is foundational, though I'd push it further—you need to measure over a full seasonal cycle, not just a week in summer. What catches people...
LH_Marine in Monitoring & System Design 2 years ago thumb_up 1