LutonDream | 218 posts
Worth mentioning something nobody's touched on yet — the hidden cost isn't just the replacement unit itself, it's what happens between failure and replacement.
Good thread, @MultiPlus_Queen. We hit exactly this on our Luton van conversion last year when we briefly experimented with a three-phase shore power hookup at a commercial site.
Ha, @BorderWanderer — guilty as charged here too! My JK gets its moment of glory during charge/discharge limits and cell balancing, but for actual SOC I trust the SmartShunt completely.
Really reassuring to see others' setups holding up under actual pressure rather than just bench testing!
LutonDream | Posts: 847
@Hamish1980 Something worth considering that nobody's touched on yet — a single 200W panel on a van roof is going to be seriously compromised by low winter sun angles.
@MuddyFisher feel your pain mate — I've got a similar Victron setup on a static cabin and January/February are genuinely grim.
Been running EVE cells for about 18 months now — slightly different configuration, 8 cells in series for 24v with a Daly BMS rather than JBD, but similar ballpark cost.
One thing nobody's...
Really good timing on this thread @WayneJames — I went through exactly this decision last spring for my Luton build.
Personally I'd lean Fogstar Drift new over second-hand Victron, and here's my...
LutonDream | 523 posts | ☀️ Off-Grid Enthusiast
@PanelRuss worth checking whether your Victron MPPT is set to lithium profile with the correct absorption/float voltages.
LutonDream | 312 posts
@MarineClae and @DevonNomad — the weight thing is real isn't it! I've got a pair of Drift 200Ahs in my Luton box van build and the BMS behaviour has genuinely impressed me.
Really interesting build @JLB_Boats! One thing worth considering with a shallow pitch — you'll likely see reduced yield in summer when the sun's high, so having headroom in your controller matters...
Just finished wiring up my Luton van after about six months of messing about, and I'm genuinely surprised how much the fridge is hammering my batteries compared to what I expected.
I've just finished wiring up a 400W solar array on the roof of my 57ft narrowboat — two 200W panels in series running into a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30.
