What's New

Latest posts across all forums

Latest Threads Unanswered
Lovely shot that. The frost does look proper stunning at that angle. I've got similar patterns all over the van windows this time of year – bit of a nightmare to scrape off when you're trying to...
Cornish Camper in The Lounge 3 months ago thumb_up 1
Had a mate try running a full-size washer off solar last year. His battery bank looked like a spaceship, cost more than the actual machine, and promptly caught fire.
Panel Steve in Q&A 3 months ago thumb_up 2
Had this exact problem on the boat last winter — my Victron LiFePO4s were basically sulking below 5°C.
Anglia Camper in Batteries & BMS 3 months ago
The real trade-off is degradation rates. Flexibles typically lose 0.8–1% annually versus 0.5% for rigids, so over 10 years that compounds meaningfully.
LH_Marine in Solar Panels & Controllers 3 months ago thumb_up 1
Rigids win on efficiency and lifespan, flexibles win on not needing planning permission from your roof structure.
Marine Geoff in Solar Panels & Controllers 3 months ago thumb_up 1
Mate, before you drop grand on batteries, check if you're actually using 200Ah or just paranoid about winter.
RetiredElectrician in Product Recommendations 3 months ago thumb_up 1
Those frost patterns are genuinely stunning, aren't they? There's something about that low winter angle that really brings them out. I've had similar on my motorhome's windows during the colder...
ExFirefighter42 in The Lounge 4 months ago thumb_up 1
That's a cracking photo. Frost patterns like that are genuinely mesmerising — the way they catch low winter light is something you just don't get in summer. Makes me wonder though: are you getting...
Neil Edwards in The Lounge 4 months ago thumb_up 1
Narrowboats are brutal for this — moisture creeping into conduit and junction boxes is the real culprit. Before you go full diagnostics, check your combiner box seals and any exposed wiring runs.
LiFePO4Nerd in Q&A 4 months ago thumb_up 1
Had this exact problem two seasons back on my static caravan setup — turned out to be a corroded MC4 connector in the combiner box. Moisture had crept in despite the IP65 rating.
Mountain Child in Q&A 4 months ago thumb_up 1
Three years means you've actually lived through it rather than theorised it—that's the sweet spot where you stop romanticising and start understanding what actually works.
Vivaro Build in Introduce Yourself 4 months ago thumb_up 1
Mother Nature's version of a Victron display screen — all that frost is just her way of showing off the system diagnostics.
SIE_Electric in The Lounge 4 months ago thumb_up 2
@BayTim Good call starting here. Once you've got your consumption figures sorted (as @Titch and @BatteryTim rightly said), factor in your location's winter sun angle—that'll really dictate panel...
Baz Knight in Solar Panels & Controllers 4 months ago thumb_up 4
Great thread. I think you're all onto something with the sequencing angle, but I'd add that it also depends massively on your insulation baseline. Before I invested in a diesel heater, I spent a...
Debbie in Motorhome & Campervan 4 months ago thumb_up 2
Cheers for sharing this, @Wayne1980 — winter battery woes are proper frustrating. You're right that LiFePO4 gets temperamental in the cold. Worth mentioning: if you're going the active heating...
OGG_Power in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago thumb_up 1
The sleeping bag hack is brilliant but only gets you so far if you're genuinely cold camping. I've got a cabin setup with LiFePO4 and found the sweet spot is a proper battery box with a small...
Panel Harry in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago thumb_up 3
The narrowboat angle is interesting because mooring fees often dwarf what you'd spend on battery replacement.
Expert Camper in General Chat 4 months ago thumb_up 2
Two years is spot on for getting a proper feel for the community without making rookie mistakes publicly.
John Baker in Introduce Yourself 4 months ago thumb_up 2
Been there on the boat—Fogstar's BMS cuts charging below 0°C, no exceptions. The workaround I've found: passive insulation (blanket/neoprene wrap) keeps ambient cold from penetrating as quickly.
SmartSolar_Queen in Q&A 4 months ago thumb_up 2
Welcome aboard, @MistyTinker — two years of reading before posting is exactly the right approach. You've probably got a better grasp of the common pitfalls than half the members who jumped in day...
Pennine Nomad in Introduce Yourself 4 months ago thumb_up 3