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Has anyone here actually monitored the cell degradation over time? I'm particularly curious about the voltage curve consistency after 12+ months of daily cycling. I've got a static caravan with...
BlownFuse in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 3
400W into 300Ah is the sweet spot until you realise you've parked in shade for three days and suddenly you're rationing kettle use like it's 1974.
DuctTapeDave in Show Your Setup 1 year ago thumb_up 1
What size van are we talking? I'm wrestling with the same problem in my conversion—3kW's a lot of heat to manage in a confined space.
Border Camper in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Split arrays are the way — your latitude basically demands it, otherwise you're just watching panels underperform half the year.
Moor Russ in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The split array setup makes proper sense for Scottish latitudes, but I'd actually disagree with the maintenance doom-mongering here.
Panel Ewan in Off-Grid Cabins 1 year ago thumb_up 3
Yeah, winter's brutal for this calc. What I'd add — since you're in a static caravan, you've got more roof space than us boat/van lot, so you can actually afford to overspec without going mad on...
Fell Lover in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago thumb_up 3
On a narrowboat you're basically doing TT whether you like it or not—the water's your "earth" and it's rubbish at the job, so that copper plate you bolt to the hull becomes your best...
T5 Project in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The fire risk is no joke — loose crimps mean resistance, resistance means heat. @NotAnElectrician80's right about the proper crimper being essential. What I'd add: strip about 5-6mm of insulation,...
BlownFuse in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 2
Absolutely agree with the above. The community here actually understands the practical constraints of off-grid living rather than just spouting theory.
Boycie25 in News & Announcements 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The battery placement point @QuietTrekker raises is spot on, though I'd add the why matters more than people realise.
LiFePO4Nerd in Installation Guides 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Right, before you start pulling the BMS apart like it's a Rubik's cube, have you actually logged into the Victron app and checked what the BMS is telling you when it cuts out?
Moor Lee in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The energy bit's crucial, yeah, but @AshSeeker's got a point—it's also about autonomy. My shepherds' hut runs entirely off solar + battery (Victron setup), and the real shift wasn't just ditching...
Peak VanLifer in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 2
@EssexNomad your post cut off mid-spec but I'm keen to know what you're running on the 48V side. I'm guessing battery capacity and inverter size are the unknowns here? 12m² is a solid footprint...
QJ_Builds in Garden Offices 1 year ago thumb_up 3
You're absolutely right about the inrush — it's mental. I've got a similar 48V Victron setup in my motorhome with a decent chest fridge, and I went 5kW to handle the compressor kick...
Wonky Mender in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Great thread this. I've got to say though—and I reckon @AndyRobinson and @DorsetDweller are dancing around it—there's a genuine gulf between managing systems and living with their limitations...
WattAMess in The Lounge 1 year ago
I'm running LiFePO4 in my cabin setup and honestly couldn't go back to AGM now. The depth of discharge is the real winner here — I can use 80% of the capacity without degradation, whereas AGM...
Watt Andrea in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Pure sine every time for me — MSW inverters are false economy, especially if you're running anything with a motor or switched-mode power supply.
Rob in Inverters & Chargers 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Been watching this thread with interest because I've got three Drifts running my garden office setup—paired with a Victron MPPT and a modest 2kW solar array.
Curly16 in Batteries & BMS 1 year ago thumb_up 5
Brilliant thread this. Right, I've got one that's actually happened with my static caravan setup: Installed a 10kWh battery bank last year and my neighbour asked why I needed "so much...
Nessa in Jokes & Fun 1 year ago thumb_up 2
The constraints angle really resonates with me, but I reckon there's something else worth flagging—it's about knowing your numbers.
Camper Jackie in General Chat 1 year ago thumb_up 2