Oof, four months is rough mate. That's the thing with budget controllers – you're not just risking dead kit, you're looking at potential damage to panels and batteries if the charge profile goes...
The SmartShunt's won me over for the motorhome setup, but I'd say context is king here. Space-wise @ThistleVicky and @BenJackson are spot on—it's genuinely pocket-sized compared to the BMV.
What I...
Spot on, @Cleggy. I made the same error with my setup — spent weeks agonising over whether I needed Victron or something cheaper, when really the answer was just start and iterate.
The thing is,...
Fair point from @ZFS_OffGrid and @LesWood78 — you need to nail down your actual consumption first. Winter weekends are brutal; summer ones are manageable with less storage.
What I'd do: Spend a...
in Q&A
2 years ago
thumb_up 1
The relay vs DC-DC question always comes down to your alternator output and how hard you're actually cycling the bank.
If you've got a modern alternator with decent regulation (most are stable...
@RetiredEngineer72's nailed it on maintenance. I spent a fortune on a Victron setup for the boat, then realised I'm now the entire support team.
Mate, @CamperCarl's got it spot on. The battery monitor is genuinely the most honest thing in any relationship—no hiding from those numbers.
Mine's more practical than funny, but here goes: Why...
Right, you lot are killing me with these. @RetiredPlumber that caravan one's a shambles—proper groan-worthy.
Got a couple from my setup:
Why's my Victron inverter never invited to parties?
State of Charge (SOC) — how much juice is left in your batteries as a percentage.
Why it matters for a static caravan specifically:
Lithium (LiFePO4) is fussy about it.
in Q&A
3 years ago
thumb_up 2
The cable gauge really depends on your battery voltage and run length. What are you working with — 12V, 24V, 48V?
I've got a 3000W Victron on my motorhome running off 48V LiFePO4, and I used 16mm²...
in Q&A
3 years ago
thumb_up 2
If you're coming off a dodgy PWM, you'll notice the difference straight away with MPPT. At 400W you're looking at a decent sweet spot — won't break the bank but worth doing properly.
I'd lean...
SOC = State of Charge, basically your battery's fuel gauge. Shows what percentage of capacity you've got left.
Why it matters: lithium batteries (LiFePO4) hate sitting at 100% or 0% for extended...
in Q&A
3 years ago
thumb_up 1
