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Microhydro's a solid move, @Renogy_Nerd. I've got a tiny Pelton wheel setup powering my cabin and it's genuinely the most reliable generation I've got — runs 24/7 unlike solar, and even modest...
ExPostie in The Lounge 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Microhydro's brilliant if the geography works out. I've been eyeing it for years but the stream through our property's too sluggish most of the year — dried up completely last summer which killed...
Glen Doug in The Lounge 2 years ago thumb_up 2
Microhydro's genuinely the move if you've got decent head and flow. I've been running a modest setup on the narrowboat for three years now—nothing mad, just a 400W Pelton wheel fed from a...
Defender Adventure in The Lounge 2 years ago thumb_up 4
My shepherds hut's basically become a test bed for every off-grid contraption known to man, so I've gone full tinkerer mode — microhydro's the latest obsession after solar got a bit predictable.
Renogy_Nerd in The Lounge 2 years ago thumb_up 4
The network configuration is where most people stumble. I've got mine on the narrowboat connected via a Victron Smartsolar MPPT and a Pylontech battery, and getting the modbus settings correct...
The consumption audit is absolutely critical, but what I've found over several builds is that you also need to account for system losses that folk systematically underestimate.
Boycie in Monitoring & System Design 2 years ago thumb_up 2
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