Got mine mounted on the cabin's south-facing array three summers now. The Victron app integration is genuinely useful — catches issues before they become problems.
The usable capacity jump alone is worth it — you're effectively doubling your useable storage compared to lead-acid since you can cycle LiFePO4 properly without killing them.
Worth noting the efficiency difference gets amplified when you're running longer cable runs. I've got a Victron setup feeding a narrowboat battery bank about 8 metres from the engine alternator,...
Good shout on the depth, @IanHenderson79. I'd add that if you're on clay or chalk (which half the UK seems to be), you might need to go deeper or consider multiple rods.
@DorsetExplorer — you'll want to size for Isc, not nominal. Renogy's spec sheet lists around 32A short-circuit current on that panel.
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1 year ago
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The cable sizing comment from @RetiredNurse49 is spot on — I made exactly that mistake on my narrowboat.
Two years well spent, @SolarJunkie—that's the sort of patience that actually pays dividends on a boat.
The shading thing caught us out too, but honestly it depends where your trees actually are. We've got ours on the south-facing edge of our clearing, well clear of the canopy line.
The peaking point @TracyAllen mentions is crucial — I learned this the hard way with my narrowboat setup.
The spectrum thing makes sense, but I'd add: it's also about intention versus circumstance.
I'm in a cabin setup and deliberately off-grid on power—solar + battery bank (Victron gear), rainwater...
Completely agree with this. I've been caught out more than once chasing what looks like a bargain on Amazon—the real cost becomes apparent once you add VAT, extended delivery times, and dodgy...
Spot on about inrush current, @LiFePO4Nerd. I've got a Victron 3000VA in my setup and it handles it fine, but I've seen people use undersized pure sine units and wonder why their compressor fridge...
Shadow mapping is crucial — @HollyGazer's spot on there. I'd add that winter sun angle in the Cotswolds is brutal; you're looking at maybe 15° elevation in December.
The kettle + microwave combo is genuinely brutal — you're looking at 3kW+ easily. A 1000W pure sine won't touch it, you'll just get brownouts and tripped breakers.
For a static caravan, I'd lean...
The real issue nobody's mentioned yet is the charge curve itself. Car alternators are designed to top up a car battery that's already 80%+ charged — they're rubbish at low-state charging, which is...
