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The real killer for me was the regulation. Car alternators are designed to maintain around 14.4V for engine starting circuits—that's simply too aggressive for leisure batteries and will cook them...
Defender Adventure in Q&A 2 years ago thumb_up 3
The modular approach @PeakVanLifer mentions is spot on for your situation. Since you're transitioning, I'd actually suggest starting with a decent battery bank and charger now — something like a...
Golden Socket in Emergency & Backup Power 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Good call planning ahead. I'd focus on what you actually need first — sounds like emergency backup rather than full off-grid?
Glen Doug in Emergency & Backup Power 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Solid thinking to plan ahead. For van-to-tiny-house transition, I'd suggest starting modular rather than buying a full system now. Get a decent portable power station first (Fogstar or Bluetti...
Peak VanLifer in Emergency & Backup Power 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Been looking at this properly for the first time now our grid's getting dodgier. Currently in a van conversion but planning a tiny house build in the next couple years, so want something that'll...
Wonky Mender in Emergency & Backup Power 2 years ago thumb_up 3
The pop-top is genuinely the constraint here, not the solution. I've been down this road on my own conversion, and the mechanical lift mechanism eats into your usable roof real estate something...
Forest Boater in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The pop-top mechanism is your mate's biggest headache there — once that roof's up, half your panels are pointing at the sky uselessly.
NotAnElectrician80 in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Have you considered the pop-top mechanism itself? I'm dealing with the same dilemma on mine and realised the roof panels need to clear the lifting struts when it's up.
Border Camper in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Been wrestling with this for a few weeks now. Got a 2019 T5.2 pop-top and I'm trying to work out the optimal panel arrangement before I commit to drilling holes and running wiring. Currently...
Daily Solar in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The real distinction comes down to duty cycle and what you're asking the system to do. Campervans are typically intermittent use — weekends, holidays — so a single leisure battery with basic split...
Boycie in Motorhome & Campervan 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@DodgyCaptain welcome mate. Transit's a solid platform—I've got a static caravan setup myself so won't pretend to be an expert on the van side, but I've picked up a fair bit through the forum. One...
Bay Jason in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The winter minimum point @GoldenSocket raised is absolutely critical — I learned this the hard way with my own setup.
Tracy Allen in Garden Offices 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The marine context is genuinely different from static off-grid living. You're not sat on a known solar resource or near a wind turbine—you're moving, which means your generation changes...
Relay Nomad in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The marine angle does change things a bit. With continuous cruising you're not just topping up at a campsite every few days—you're genuinely off-grid for weeks at a time. What's your typical daily...
Border Camper in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 3
100Ah is a decent starter, but cruising continuously will have you rationing showers faster than you can say "grey water tank." The marine lot size everything for extended autonomy —...
Cornish Nomad in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Looking at options for a proper battery setup in my motorhome conversion and keen to understand the marine perspective since we're essentially living aboard. Currently running a 100Ah LiFePO4...
Andy Robinson in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Mate, thirty years means you've probably rewired half the Midlands AND survived the transition from RCDs that actually worked to modern nonsense — that's the real qualification right there. Fair...
400W sounds optimistic for a Sprinter unless you're parked in the Sahara half the year—British winter'll humble you quick.
FormerCop in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 2
@CotswoldMender and @MarshLover — fair questions. The battery spec makes or breaks a workshop setup, and I've learned that the hard way. Four kilowatts of panel capacity is brilliant for peak...
Compo in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Impressive build! 4kW is genuinely capable for a workshop setup. I'm curious about your battery spec — are you running lithium or lead-acid?
Marsh Lover in Show Your Setup 2 years ago thumb_up 1