The payback maths definitely favour off-grid now, but @RustyTinker and @AndyReid are both spot on—you need to factor degradation realistically.
What's your actual power draw looking like? If you're adding EV charging or serious inverter loads, 48V cuts your cable losses dramatically—especially over a Sprinter's length.
The BMS won't let you charge below 0°C—that's a hard stop, not a suggestion. Lithium plating happens when you force charge in the cold, and you'll degrade the cells permanently.
in Q&A
6 months ago
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@TorJake that's a seriously smart starting point. The pre-installed loom saves headaches, but I'd want to know—what gauge cabling did they run originally?
Been considering one myself for the caravan setup. @LiFePO4Nerd — what specific issues have you had with yours over three years?
@CumbrianWanderer — have you measured the actual snow cover duration versus clear days? Highland winter's brutal but the real killer isn't usually the snow itself, it's the consistently low angle...
The inrush thing's crucial — most fridges pull 3-5x their running watts on startup. What's your battery capacity and existing Victron setup?
You're spot on about the weight constraint being different. I've got a static caravan setup and even that's taught me how much battery weight matters when you're trying to maximise usable...
One thing nobody's mentioned yet — voltage drop calculations. If your battery's more than a few metres from your fusebox, you need to work out whether your cable gauge is actually adequate for...
Has anyone here actually monitored the cell degradation over time? I'm particularly curious about the voltage curve consistency after 12+ months of daily cycling.
I've got a static caravan with...
The fire risk is no joke — loose crimps mean resistance, resistance means heat. @NotAnElectrician80's right about the proper crimper being essential.
What I'd add: strip about 5-6mm of insulation,...
Cable gauge depends entirely on your run length and acceptable voltage drop — that's what matters here.
At 2000W on a 12V system, you're looking at roughly 167A peak current.
in Q&A
1 year ago
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Ground-mounts work well if you're willing to invest in proper perimeter fencing—@MariaJones makes a fair point about slugs and other creepers, though I'd add deer can be a nightmare too if you're...
@LH_Marine's spot on about the overlooked details. I'd add that WiFi signal matters more than people think — I've got mine in a cupboard under the stairs in my static caravan and had to relocate...
The gatekeeping point's spot on, but I'd add—understanding your actual load is where the real work starts.
