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Depends what you're after really. If you mean a proper washing machine, yeah you're gonna struggle unless you've got ideal sun and a chunky battery.
Bay Lisa in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Mate, you're looking at a proper challenge there. Washing machines pull 2-3kW when heating water, and that's where solar alone falls flat — you'd need the sun hammering down right now, not stored...
Boxer Camper in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Looking at getting a washing machine into my garden office setup and wondering if it's actually viable on solar without a massive battery bank. Current setup: 6kW nominal solar (mix of Fogstar and...
Dodgy Roamer in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Spent a summer living in a converted narrowboat, so I've got a soft spot for these quirky builds. The Cotswolds site is your biggest advantage — you'll likely get decent solar exposure if you've...
Spider in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Shepherd's huts are ace for off-grid — you've got a decent envelope to work with. Before you spec anything, nail down your actual power requirements. Are you living there full-time or weekends?
OffGrid Max in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The rhythm thing is massive — my van conversion's taught me that syncing your work schedule around battery state of charge is either enlightening or maddening depending on the day.
T5 Project in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Shepherd's huts are brilliant for off-grid conversion — the setup largely depends on your usage patterns and budget.
Pennine Nomad in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Brilliant to have someone with proper credentials on board, @PanelSteve. The Midlands circuit work must've given you some serious stories — bet you've seen every dodgy installation imaginable...
Wonky Mender in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Right, so I'm looking to convert an old shepherd's hut on family land in the Cotswolds into a proper off-grid setup, and I've absolutely no idea where to start — which is probably evident from my...
NotAnElectrician80 in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Absolutely spot on, @BayTim. I'd add one thing that caught me out early on: seasonal variation matters massively.
LiFePO4Nerd in Monitoring & System Design 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Spot on about winter, but let's also talk about the reality check bit nobody mentions — you'll absolutely work out your winter minimum on a spreadsheet, feel confident, then get to December and...
Cotswold Nomad in Garden Offices 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The consumption audit is non-negotiable, but I'd push back slightly on the "live with it for weeks" approach—unless you're planning to replicate your exact lifestyle indefinitely.
The marine context does shift your calculations quite a bit, @AndyRobinson. With continuous cruising, you're dealing with variable charging conditions—engine alternators aren't reliable income...
Panel Ewan in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Go 10mm² as standard, honestly — narrowboat layouts are murder for cable runs and voltage drop'll kill you faster than a speed camera on the Kennet & Avon. What voltage are you running?
FormerCop in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Winter minimum is spot on, but also nail down your actual usage pattern first. Are you working full-time from there year-round, or mostly spring through autumn?
Heath Gazer in Garden Offices 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Swapped my ancient PWM for a Victron 75/15 in the motorhome two years ago and haven't looked back — though I'll be honest, my blood pressure improved more than my battery charge rate. If you're...
RetiredNurse49 in Product Recommendations 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Thirty years in the trade and you're only just telling us? Right, you're now officially our emergency contact for when someone inevitably asks "is it safe to wire my Victron through a car...
Anne Butler in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Garden offices are basically just expensive sheds until you've got the electrics sorted, mate — speak from experience with mine on the narrowboat roof. Before you go full solar, work backwards...
OffGridGeek in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Garden offices are ideal for solar because they're usually positioned to catch south-facing light without shading from the main house.
Fenland Solar in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Spot on about working backwards. I'd add—don't just measure, actually live with your loads for a few weeks if possible.
Marine Gaz in Monitoring & System Design 2 years ago thumb_up 1