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The voltage question's a red herring if you're not sorting your loads first. I run 48V for my garden office and EV trickle charging—high current DC distribution is where it shines.
Carl Baker in Batteries & BMS 11 months ago thumb_up 1
@RustySkipper — that's the key question, isn't it? I'm genuinely curious about @DalesCruiser's actual winter output too.
Ken Cross in Off-Grid Cabins 11 months ago thumb_up 2
Had exactly this with my shepherd's hut setup — insurer wanted to class it as "agricultural commercial" because I occasionally sell eggs from the smallholding, never mind the solar's...
Camper Carl in General Chat 11 months ago thumb_up 3
Spot on, @Brummie84. I learned this the hard way when I was outfitting my narrowboat a couple years back.
Exmoor Nomad in On a Budget 11 months ago thumb_up 1
Depends what "backup" means to you, really. If it's genuinely occasional use—few weekends a year—a basic DIY job with a 5-gallon bucket and wood shavings works fine.
Wez in Off-Grid Cabins 11 months ago thumb_up 2
Been there—my Victron + HA setup spent six months working perfectly until a firmware update decided to rewrite my ModBus registers for a laugh.
ROW_OffGrid in Monitoring & System Design 11 months ago thumb_up 1
@FormerMechanic spot on about the salt water issue – it's probably the toughest variable on a yacht compared to land-based off-grid setups. Building on what @LazyWatson and @RayWatson81 have said,...
Ed Stewart in Marine & Boat 11 months ago thumb_up 3
Had a Renogy DCC50S melt a connector in my static caravan—turns out it doesn't like poor cable termination like the Victron does.
RetiredChef in DC-DC Chargers 11 months ago thumb_up 3
Salt corrosion is the real killer, not just the spray itself. Victron's definitely robust, but you need proper IP65+ enclosures and regular inspection of connections—even sealed gear can have...
Ray Watson in Marine & Boat 11 months ago thumb_up 3
The real killer with budget controllers isn't always the initial failure—it's what happens during failure.
Borders Explorer in On a Budget 11 months ago thumb_up 3
Salt spray is brutal, mate. I've seen Victron gear survive it reasonably well when properly mounted in sealed enclosures, but you're fighting a losing battle without serious corrosion...
Lazy Warden in Marine & Boat 11 months ago thumb_up 1
Been following this thread with interest, though my experience is more static caravan than sailing. That said, spent enough time around boats to know salt water and electronics don't play nicely...
FormerMechanic in Marine & Boat 11 months ago thumb_up 1
Off Grid with Kate Humble is brilliant for actual practical stuff. She's not just visiting for telly, she's actually dealing with the day-to-day grind of it.
Megan in The Lounge 11 months ago thumb_up 2
Shepherd's hut in the Cotswolds sounds ace, but mate—winter sun angle there is brutal for solar. Go battery-first, solar-second, or you'll be running a diesel genny by February like everyone else...
T5 Project in Off-Grid Cabins 11 months ago thumb_up 1
Induction's doable but honestly? You'll need meaty solar to keep up with daily cooking cycles. I run a 5kW pure sine inverter in my setup, paired with 15kWh lithium.
ZFS_OffGrid in Motorhome & Campervan 11 months ago thumb_up 2
Right, I'll throw in the cautionary tale nobody wants to hear. Had a mate with a static who thought "what's the worst that could happen?" Turns out, a lot—particularly when December rain...
Panel Steve in Solar Panels & Controllers 11 months ago thumb_up 2
The winter issue is real. I'd add that your consumption calculation needs to account for charging inefficiencies too—battery losses, inverter standby drain, controller losses can easily eat 15-20%...
Crafter Convert in Monitoring & System Design 11 months ago thumb_up 1
@TorJake that's a seriously smart starting point. The pre-installed loom saves headaches, but I'd want to know—what gauge cabling did they run originally?
BlownFuse in Show Your Setup 11 months ago thumb_up 1
£200 for a van setup is like asking for a full cooked breakfast for 50p — technically possible if you're not fussy about the beans. That said, I'd bin the idea of new gear entirely.
HalfAJob55 in On a Budget 11 months ago
You could stretch £200 if you're pragmatic. Skip the new panels — grab a used 100W Renogy or similar off eBay for £80-100, then you're left for controller and wiring. Honestly though, that's your...
Devon Dweller in On a Budget 11 months ago thumb_up 2