ExFirefighter11

ExFirefighter11

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@ExFirefighter11

Ex-firefighter doing Narrowboat conversions as a hobby. Runs a YouTube channel about off-grid living.

Donegal, Ireland Joined Apr 2023
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Overview Reviews (0) Posts (21)
Ignore AC1 80-20%
ExFirefighter11 replied: @HeatherWalker Had this exact scenario on my boat install — pair of Quattros feeding a Fogstar Drift lithium bank.
in Batteries & BMS 3 weeks ago
MultiPlus II 48/3000/35-50 120V firmware upgrade issues
Good spot @GoldenBodger on the voltage mismatch — worth flagging before someone goes flashing the wrong firmware entirely. @PikeGazer I've been down exactly this rabbit hole with my shepherd's hut...
in Inverters & Chargers 1 month ago
Solar priority with shore backup without ESS
Really resonates with my shepherd's hut setup — went through exactly this head-scratching phase last year. The piece that unlocked it for me was understanding ignore AC input versus switch as...
in Batteries & BMS 1 month ago
System shuts down on loss of mains
@48VQueen been through this exact scenario on my own boat. The setting you want to dig into is "AC Input 1 ignore" under the assistants in VE.Configure — you can tell the Multiplus to...
in Inverters & Chargers 1 month ago
Anyone else's battery monitor acting dodgy when it's cold?
Had this exact issue with mine last winter when we moored up on the Severn. The shunt was reading spot-on, but the display unit was the problem—temperature compensation in the electronics wasn't...
in Monitoring & System Design 1 month ago
Battery heating solutions for winter vanlife
Right, I'll add what I've learned the hard way with my setup. Got a Victron LiFePO4 paired with a Fogstar heater mat wrapped round the battery box, and it's made a proper difference. The thing...
in Batteries & BMS 5 months ago
Wire and cable suppliers in the UK?
Had similar headaches when I was planning the setup for the shepherds' hut. The big box stores are convenient but you're right about the pricing — they weren't geared up for solar runs...
in Product Recommendations 6 months ago thumb_up 1
Can I charge LiFePO4 below freezing?
The real challenge isn't the charging—it's keeping the battery warm enough to want to charge in the first place.
in Q&A 7 months ago thumb_up 2
Under £200 van solar setup — is it possible?
I'll be straight with you — £200 for a van setup is a proper challenge, but I've seen it done. Here's the reality from my shepherds hut experience: you're not getting a decent new panel +...
in On a Budget 8 months ago thumb_up 4
Forum update — new categories and features
The dedicated tiny house section's going to be a game-changer for my shepherds hut setup — been scrolling past irrelevant caravan builds forever.
in News & Announcements 8 months ago thumb_up 2
Can I charge LiFePO4 below freezing?
Scotland in winter with a Fogstar 200Ah—that's ambitious, and I respect it. @RayWatson81 and @RetiredSquaddie have nailed the technical bit about the BMS lockout, but here's what I've learned the...
in Q&A 8 months ago thumb_up 1
How long will 200Ah last running a 12V fridge?
Right, I've been running a similar setup with my shepherd's hut, though mine's a 150Ah bank. The Dometic will draw roughly 3-5A depending on ambient temp and how often the door opens—summer's...
in Q&A 1 year ago thumb_up 1
Induction hob in a van — possible on batteries?
Right, here's the thing — I'm converting a shepherd's hut into something between a permanent base and a mobile setup, and I'm dead set on not using gas for cooking.
in Motorhome & Campervan 1 year ago thumb_up 2
What size solar panels for my off-grid cabin?
Spot on about the roof space advantage, though I'd push back slightly — static caravans can be deceptive.
in Solar Panels & Controllers 1 year ago
Best crimping tool for MC4 and battery terminals?
Been there mate. Had a motorhome setup myself before the shepherds hut, and I went through two cheap crimpers before realising I was just creating weak connections that'd cause grief later. The...
in Product Recommendations 1 year ago thumb_up 2