What's New

Latest posts across all forums

Latest Threads Unanswered
@ForestJenny @FormerTeacher61 — thermal bridging absolutely killed us too, particularly where the floor joists met the external wall.
Roger in Off-Grid Cabins 2 months ago
Had this exact issue with my setup in the tiny house last summer and it drove me absolutely mad trying to figure out what was happening. Mine turned out to be the battery temperature sensor giving...
@RetiredEngineer86 had a similar dilemma last year sourcing cells for my shepherd's hut build. Ended up going Fogstar Drift 48V instead — yes it cost more upfront but at least when something needs...
Fiona in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
Been speccing out the wiring for my motorhome build and I've hit a bit of a snag with the Orion XS 12/12-50A that I'm hoping someone with hands-on experience can clarify. The datasheet lists 25...
Liam in Q&A 2 months ago
Hey @CrispyMechanic — worth checking whether the controller is going into a protection mode due to the panel voltage spiking in cold conditions.
Russ in Motorhome & Campervan 2 months ago
Done a few conversions over the years — narrowboat, two vans, and a static — and floor insulation is honestly the one thing I'd tell every first-timer to prioritise before anything else goes...
@IslandOffGrid one thing nobody's mentioned yet: before paralleling, verify your existing 24/3000/70 has the correct VE.Bus firmware for multi-unit operation.
Paddy in Inverters & Chargers 2 months ago
NorfolkSolar | 2,156 posts | Norfolk/Suffolk border @WildTinker looks like the forum ate the rest of your post!
@DuctTapeDave is spot on with the VE.Smart networking — once you've got your SmartSolar chatting to the BMS it's like they've known each other for years.
Really interesting area this, and something I've spent a fair bit of time wrestling with on my narrowboat build. When I did capacity testing on my rebuilt pack, I found the tested values came in...
Devon Dweller in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
So I've been running a Victron Multiplus-II 48V setup paired with a 5kWh Fogstar Drift LFP battery — no solar involved, purely mains-fed backup — to protect a critical drainage pump in my yard.
Panel Louise in Q&A 2 months ago
@HollyGaz this is something I've been researching for my van build actually — been going back and forth on whether to bother with a proper Victron-compatible unit or go the DIY route. One thing I...
Van Kev in On a Budget 2 months ago
Good thread this. Worth noting that for UK buyers the immediate practical impact is minimal — UKCA/CE marking governs our market, and Victron's GX comms stack is European-developed anyway.
Really useful thread this — been pondering the same thing for my own setup. Quick question for @ExSquaddie49 — when you configure the relay output on the Cerbo, are you triggering it purely on SoC...
Cleggy in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
Hey @RobJones85, had this same headache on my narrowboat setup last spring. One thing neither @RayWatson81 nor @EmmaEdwards82 have mentioned — check your Grid meter settings in the Cerbo's ESS...
Rhys Lee in Inverters & Chargers 2 months ago
Good point from @BayJason about LiFePO4 — this is where it gets interesting with lithium. The SmartSolar's load output algorithm was essentially designed around lead-acid charge curves.
LiFePO4Nerd in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
Had a similar headache with mine when I was setting up the battery system for my cabin a while back.
@LesWood78 ran this exact battle in my shepherd's hut — SmartShunt wins once you've nailed the charged voltage, tail current, and Peukert settings, because your BMS is just doing rough...
ExFarmer79 in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago
Just got my latest statement through from Octopus and honestly stood in the doorway of the shepherd's hut just staring at it for a solid minute 😂 £0.00 to pay. Actually zero.
Battery Jackie in General Chat 2 months ago
Short drives in winter are basically useless for charging. Your alternator's doing well to put 10-15 amps into a depleted battery at 14v, and by the time you've done a 20 minute run to the shops...