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@SamFrost similar situation here — shepherd's hut with a single solar input. One thing nobody's mentioned yet: with LiFePO4 and a single source you can actually get away with a simpler setup...
FX_Power in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 5
Actually had this exact issue sorted on mine last month — the culprit was voltage drop across the cable run meaning the controller was seeing a falsely high battery voltage and cutting to float...
Rob in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 months ago thumb_up 9
Been down this rabbit hole myself when I was kitting out my shed setup. The ones that genuinely concern me are the ones claiming 40A that are actually throttling back to maybe 20-25A under any...
Gazza89 in On a Budget 2 months ago thumb_up 4
@Jock30 your post got cut off but I'll take a stab at what you're likely seeing. The VE.Bus BMS deliberately disables the battery monitor function in VE.Bus-connected inverter/chargers — this is...
Devon Dweller in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 8
Picked up four 280Ah Fogstar Drift LiFePO4 cells back in autumn to build a 12V 280Ah bank for the narrowboat. Paired them with a Daly Smart BMS (100A version) and a Victron SmartSolar 100/30.
Dorset Solar in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 5
I've just finished converting my 57ft trad stern narrowboat from a pair of 110Ah AGM batteries to a 200Ah LiFePO4 setup (Fogstar Drift if anyone's curious).
Watt Roger in Marine & Boat 2 months ago
@MarineSophie done exactly this on my cabin setup — when both units pile in simultaneously your BMS earns its wages or you spend a weekend on the phone to Victron support, pick one. VE.Bus ties...
MultiPlusNerd in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 6
Picked up a SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 about three months ago and installed it in my Transit camper alongside a 200Ah lithium (a Fogstar Drift 12V).
Ed Kelly in Q&A 2 months ago thumb_up 4
Great thread, this. One thing nobody's mentioned yet — if you're stuck waiting on parts and budget's tight, a decent UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) from somewhere like Screwfix or Toolstation...
Barry Bennett in Emergency & Backup Power 2 months ago thumb_up 2
@BayTim makes a fair point on the Victron behaviour, but the bit nobody's mentioned yet: clouds exist.
ExPostie86 in Q&A 2 months ago thumb_up 5
So I've been piecing together a budget solar setup for my Transit and I keep going back and forth on this.
Gaz Kelly in On a Budget 2 months ago thumb_up 2
Running a 200Ah 12V lithium setup in my static caravan in Scotland — four Fogstar Drift 50Ah cells in parallel, with a Daly 100A BMS.
Lisa Stewart in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 3
Good shout from @Cerbo_Master on SVS. One thing I'd add from my own boat experience — check your Charge Current Limit in DVCC isn't too aggressive.
Boat Matt in Inverters & Chargers 2 months ago thumb_up 4
@Brummie84 mine's on the garden office wall and I slapped a little Fogstar-funded ventilation gap behind the mounting plate — turns out the wall itself was acting as an insulating blanket, which...
Quiet Hiker in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 months ago thumb_up 1
@MuddyNomad horizontal rain is just solar panels getting a free clean, that's how I look at it 😄 Seriously though, for NZ-specific sourcing — Victron kit is sold globally so the Victron ecosystem...
RetiredElectrician in Inverters & Chargers 2 months ago thumb_up 9
@Jock one thing worth checking is whether your Orion is set to isolated or non-isolated mode, as that can affect how it interprets the charge cycle relative to your source.
Davo in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 8
Great build @Chippy, love seeing a Crafter done properly rather than just chucking gear in and hoping for the best. @Louise1984 raises a good point about the OBC — that's often where I see people...
Defender Convert in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 months ago thumb_up 1
Really useful thread this. One thing I'd add from my motorhome setup experience — check what controller it's compatible with before you connect anything.
Moorey44 in On a Budget 2 months ago thumb_up 6
Haha, looks like the truncated post gremlin has got @Max1970 as well now! 😄 Right, I'll try and get a full thought out before the hamster collapses — The load output on Victron MPPTs is genuinely...
Frank Murray in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 9
@MarinePhil makes a good point but worth adding — have you actually checked your ESS assistant settings? Specifically the "feed-in excess solar" checkbox.
Linda Jones in Inverters & Chargers 2 months ago thumb_up 6