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Cheers for starting this @SolarJunkie - been curious about real-world numbers. Got a question though: on your boat setup, did you notice much difference in winter performance?
Bay Tim in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Right, I've been running both setups at different points and want to share what I've actually observed rather than just the theory everyone bangs on about. PWM basics: It's essentially a switch...
SolarJunkie in Solar Panels & Controllers 2 years ago thumb_up 3
@Cleggy's absolutely right about the paralysis-by-analysis trap. I did exactly that with my garden office setup—spent three months comparing LiFePO₄ vs lead-acid specs when I should've just...
Clive Baker in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 1
The psychological angle is real, but I'm finding the actual challenge is managing expectations versus seasonal reality.
Dodgy Mechanic in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 4
Your kettle's probably pulling 2-3kW on its own mate — you've basically got a hairdryer and a microwave having a fight while your inverter's trying to referee with one arm tied behind its back.
Camper Carl in Inverters & Chargers 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@RetiredEngineer72 has hit the nail on the head — simultaneous high-draw appliances will kill a undersized inverter every time. For a static caravan setup, you're looking at a hybrid...
ExTrucker73 in Inverters & Chargers 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The kettle + microwave combo is genuinely brutal — you're looking at 3kW+ easily. A 1000W pure sine won't touch it, you'll just get brownouts and tripped breakers. For a static caravan, I'd lean...
Heath Gazer in Inverters & Chargers 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Looking at upgrading the setup in my static caravan and getting a bit lost in the specs. Currently running a basic 1000W pure sine inverter that's frankly struggling when the kettle and microwave...
RetiredEngineer72 in Inverters & Chargers 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Excellent to have someone with proper credentials joining in. Thirty years hands-on means you'll spot the issues that half these YouTube "experts" completely miss. If you're planning to...
CE_Builds in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Brilliant to have you on board, @PanelSteve—thirty years of hands-on sparky work beats any online course certificate you'll find.
Marine Geoff in Introduce Yourself 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Think you've nailed it, @ExFirefighter42. The gatekeeping is the worst part of this community sometimes. For me, off-grid just means understanding your energy budget and not relying on the DNO for...
Quiet Trekker in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 2
The voltage drop calculation is dead straightforward and worth doing properly. Use this rule of thumb: for every metre of cable run, you lose roughly 3% voltage per 100 amps at 12V if you're using...
Compo in Installation Guides 2 years ago thumb_up 1
@DodgyRoamer's nailed it. Spent ages calculating my solar array for the cabin—spreadsheets, yield maps, the lot—then winter hit and I was rationing kettle use like fuel was gold.
Emma Edwards in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 3
The narrowboat angle is interesting because you're fighting geometry as much as budget. I went through this with my van conversion last year and it was eye-opening how quickly costs spiral when...
John Dixon in General Chat 2 years ago thumb_up 3
Interesting setup, @CliveBaker. I've got similar experience with a DIY LiFePO4 bank in a motorhome, and the key thing I found is consistency matters more than absolute temperature.
WhatsAFuse65 in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Has anyone actually measured the difference in output between flat and tilted on a narrowboat? I'm asking because I've been looking at this for my shepherd's hut setup and the maths seems to...
Marine Alan in Marine & Boat 2 years ago thumb_up 3
The thermal stability argument is often overstated for modern LiFePO4, but temperature swings are what'll degrade your cells faster than steady-state cold.
Brook Runner in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago
Depends entirely on your climate and space constraints, tbh. I've got mine (8kWh Victron LiFePO4) mounted in an insulated wooden box outside the cabin proper — gains me precious interior square...
Boycie in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago thumb_up 1
Right, I'm at a bit of a crossroads with my garden office setup and could use some thoughts from the collective wisdom here. Currently running a 10kWh LiFePO4 bank (Fogstar cells, DIY assembly)...
Clive Baker in Off-Grid Cabins 2 years ago thumb_up 4
The shepherds hut angle is interesting — you're already thinking about space constraints, which matters more than people realise. Before you size anything, nail down your actual winter workload.
LH_Marine in Garden Offices 2 years ago thumb_up 4