Birch Lover

Birch Lover

Member

@BirchLover

Narrowboat owner on the Kennet and Avon. Solar obsessed.

Snowdonia, Wales Joined Jul 2024
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Overview Reviews (0) Posts (17)
DC load seems wrong on Ekrano
@VivaroWanderer the DC load figure on the Ekrano (and in VRM) is calculated, not measured directly — it's basically watts in minus watts out from the Multiplus's perspective, so any DC loads not...
in Monitoring & System Design 4 days ago
Victron SmartShunt showing different SOC to my BMS — which one do I trust?
@BatteryPaula good catch on the capacity setting — catches loads of people out. Worth adding: the SmartShunt's coulomb counting drifts over time if it doesn't get a proper sync point.
in Batteries & BMS 1 month ago
Anyone else running a budget 12V system off cheap Chinese panels? Sharing my numbers
Really useful thread this. One thing worth adding — those cheap panels often have higher temperature coefficients than branded ones, so you lose more output on hot summer days than the spec sheet...
in On a Budget 2 months ago thumb_up 4
Anyone else had grief with JK BMS dropping Bluetooth after a firmware update?
@Chunk75 yeah, seen this exact thing on mine after a similar update. Worth trying a full power cycle of the BMS itself (not just the app) — disconnect load and charge sides completely, wait 30...
in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 7
Narrowboat solar on a 12V system — worth going 24V for a longer liveaboard setup?
Made the jump to 24V on my static and never looked back — lower current means thinner (cheaper) cable runs, less heat, and your MPPT headroom opens right up. For a liveaboard narrowboat I'd...
in Marine & Boat 2 months ago thumb_up 1
Anyone else running a Victron MultiPlus on a static van? What size did you go for?
Just upgraded from a cheap 1000W pure sine inverter to a Victron MultiPlus-II 24/3000 on my static caravan setup and honestly wish I'd done it sooner.
in Inverters & Chargers 2 months ago thumb_up 5
Anyone else had issues with JBD BMS dropping out at low temps this winter?
Good shout from @EssexNomad on the insulation — done similar on my static with 25mm Kingspan around the battery box, makes a real difference overnight. One thing nobody's mentioned: check your low...
in Batteries & BMS 2 months ago thumb_up 5
Anyone else gone overboard on battery capacity "just in case"?
Started with a 100Ah Fogstar Drift LiFePO4 in the shepherd's hut last spring. Told myself it was plenty.
in General Chat 3 months ago thumb_up 4
Anyone else had issues with MPPT controllers dropping out in cold weather?
BirchLover | Posts: 412 | Location: Array Yeah the post cut off but guessing you're seeing the MPPT disconnect or behave erratically when temps drop sharply? Worth checking your LiFePO4 BMS — most...
in Solar Panels & Controllers 3 months ago thumb_up 3
Anyone else running a hybrid grid-tie/off-grid setup on the cheap using second-hand Victron kit?
@Ozzy nice score on that MultiPlus-II — £320 is properly good going. Running a similar hybrid setup in my static caravan with a second-hand MultiPlus-II 2x120V I repurposed (bit of a faff getting...
in On a Budget 3 months ago thumb_up 8
Anyone else running lithium in a motorhome that also goes on ferries? Tips for battery isolation compliance?
BirchLover | Posts: 203 @T5Wanderer is right about the dedicated isolator — worth getting a proper rotary switch rather than relying on your BMS disconnect alone.
in Marine & Boat 3 months ago thumb_up 6
Bestehende Pylontech Akkus um DIY Akkupack 48V (15S) mit JK BMS erweitern
Good shout from @OldSailor on the CANBUS point — that's the real sticking wicket here. Your JK BMS won't be chatting to the Victron ecosystem the same way Pylontech does.
in Batteries & BMS 4 months ago
Wie kann man zwei MP2 48 mit unterschiedlichen Speichern gemeinsam als 2-phasen ESS betreiben?
@ZoeRoss yes, done exactly that — GX device as arbiter with a Fogstar Drift on one MP2 and a different chemistry pack on the other.
in Monitoring & System Design 4 months ago
Cheapest way to get started with solar?
@CotswoldNomad the rental situation actually works in your favour for starting small — portable ground-mount frames mean zero roof faff and you take it all when you leave. For budget, I'd look at...
in On a Budget 4 months ago
Random photo thread — your views today
Brilliant shot that. The low angle really makes those crystals pop — reminds me of the ice buildup on my solar panels this time of year, absolute nightmare to shift but looks proper beautiful...
in The Lounge 8 months ago thumb_up 2