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What's your actual power draw looking like? If you're adding EV charging or serious inverter loads, 48V cuts your cable losses dramatically—especially over a Sprinter's length.
BlownFuse in Batteries & BMS 6 months ago thumb_up 2
For a Sprinter retrofit, 48V makes sense if you're planning proper battery capacity—cable losses kill 12V over longer runs. I went 48V for my shepherd's hut and haven't looked back.
WingAndPrayer in Batteries & BMS 6 months ago thumb_up 1
@PartnerCamper nails it — I've stopped fighting damp on the boat and just embraced the dehumidifier as a permanent fixture.
Borders OffGrid in Show Your Setup 6 months ago thumb_up 2
Jumping in because I'm wrestling with this exact decision for my own setup. @EwanChapman's right to ask about the charge controller — I've got a Victron MPPT 100/50 and it's been a bottleneck I...
Salty Rigger in Product Recommendations 6 months ago thumb_up 2
The ambulance platform is genuinely underrated for off-grid conversions. Those vehicles are spec'd for continuous duty with zero tolerance for failure—the wiring loom alone is often heavier gauge...
OffGrid Tel in Show Your Setup 6 months ago thumb_up 2
Been running a SmartShunt on the shepherd's hut for two years now—no regrets. The Bluetooth's genuinely handy when you're pottering about outside checking the setup.
Cornish Boater in Monitoring & System Design 6 months ago thumb_up 2
The real quest is finding cells with known history, innit. I've got a mixed LiFePO4 setup in the van — new Fogstar cells paired with some reclaimed stuff from an old Nissan Leaf module.
Wonky Mender in Batteries & BMS 6 months ago thumb_up 1
@NaeClue13 spot on about the Victron doing that heavy lifting. What I've found with mine in the shepherds hut setup is the voltage regulation side is what really matters when you've got a smart...
Island OffGrid in DC-DC Chargers 6 months ago thumb_up 1
Been through this with my cabin setup. Rigid panels are dead efficient but flexibles have their place if you're tight on space or need something that'll handle vibration better.
Loch Child in Solar Panels & Controllers 6 months ago thumb_up 3
Been meaning to ask about this actually. @Titch, when you say hardwired—are you running the HA instance on the same LAN as your Victron kit, or have you got them on separate subnets for...
VE_Boats in Monitoring & System Design 6 months ago thumb_up 2
Been running a pair of Fogstar 5kWh units on the van for nearly two years now, so I've got some skin in the game here.
Yorkshire VanLifer in On a Budget 6 months ago thumb_up 2
The thing that gets me with unlimited budget scenarios is you'd actually start optimising for reliability rather than just raw capacity.
FormerMechanic in Jokes & Fun 6 months ago thumb_up 2
Been running this setup on my motorhome for three years now and yeah, the isolation bit is crucial. @BrambleElla's right about the Victron Orion-Tr—solid choice though I went with a cheaper Renogy...
Fell Lover in Motorhome & Campervan 6 months ago thumb_up 3
Good thread this. I think what often gets missed is the timing side of things – smart alternators are designed to work with traditional lead-acid charging profiles, yeah?
Thistle Walker in DC-DC Chargers 6 months ago thumb_up 2
@BoatMark nailed it — winter's the real test. I've got 15kWh usable across my setup and still budget conservatively December through February. The chocolate teapot analogy's spot on.
FormerMechanic68 in Batteries & BMS 6 months ago thumb_up 1
The startup surge is definitely the villain here, but honestly the real question is whether you're willing to go propane instead — diesel heaters are brilliant until they're not, and you'll be...
Cotswold Cruiser in Product Recommendations 6 months ago thumb_up 3
Thinking about grabbing a pair myself for my garden office setup—currently cobbling together an old AGM system that's driving me mad.
Nobby in Batteries & BMS 6 months ago thumb_up 1
Has anyone actually measured the combined draw during heavy usage? @VoltWill and @BodgeItAndScarper have mentioned the router being overlooked, but I'm wondering if there's a spike when the dish...
Dodgy Captain in Motorhome & Campervan 6 months ago thumb_up 2
Got both on my static caravan setup, so fair bit of real-world experience here. The degradation thing @SunnyFisher mentions is legit — my Renogy flexibles have definitely lost a few percentage...
Salty Maker in Solar Panels & Controllers 6 months ago thumb_up 1
Good shout on the compressor units, @BayJason. That said, they're pricier upfront and need proper ventilation—bit tricky in smaller vans.
FZO_Marine in Product Recommendations 6 months ago thumb_up 1