The cupboard approach works well for environmental protection, but I'd add one critical detail most folks overlook: airflow.
@ExPostie, the charging limitation is the real constraint here—most LiFePO4 packs won't charge below 0°C, which is where you'll hit issues in winter.
Solid approach for the budget end. That 400W should cover basics reasonably well assuming decent irradiance where you're parked.
Few things worth considering:
Battery capacity — what's your actual...
The lads have covered inrush current spot on. Worth noting that most kettles pull 2.5-3kW running, and microwaves can hit 1-1.5kW — you're looking at 3.5-4.5kW combined, which explains why your...
@WattAMess25 spot on — it's all about realistic expectations. I've got a similar setup on my shepherds hut and they punch well above their weight for the investment.
The real advantage isn't...
The shadow mapping advice from @HeathGazer and @ExPostie is spot on — I can't stress that enough for Cotswolds installations.
The shepherds hut angle is interesting — you're already thinking about space constraints, which matters more than people realise. Before you size anything, nail down your actual winter workload.
The thread's heading toward the right conclusions, but worth flagging the installation angle here—literally.
The cable gauge question @RetiredChef raised is real, but the answer depends entirely on your actual load profile and cable runs.
The chemistry point @MarshLover raises is crucial — I've got LiFePO4 in my shepherds hut and it's transformed how I approach system design.
The efficiency argument is solid, but I'd push back slightly on the "game-changer" framing—context matters considerably here.
LiFePO4 genuinely excels if you're running high daily loads...
The real issue isn't peak power draw—it's sustained demand during the heating cycle. A standard washing machine will pull 2-3kW for 20-30 minutes, which means you need either:
Direct solar option:...
in Q&A
2 years ago
thumb_up 1
@BayTim's absolutely right on this. The consumption audit is foundational, though I'd push it further—you need to measure over a full seasonal cycle, not just a week in summer.
What catches people...
@Rob1963 — to build on what @DailySolar and @PanelEwan have outlined, the practical side matters more than the theory.
Your BMS is doing three critical things simultaneously:
Cell balancing —...
