@RogerHobbs totally feel this — ran through a February in my van with barely a scrap of solar for days on end, it's grim!
One thing worth mentioning that nobody's touched on yet: generator runtime...
@VoltDai been there! Winter in the UK is brutal for solar — short days plus low sun angle absolutely hammers your yield.
One thing that made a massive difference for me was tilting my panels...
Great shout from @RogerKnight on the VE.Can point — caught me out on my own build too.
One thing I'd add: don't underestimate the string design side.
@ROW_OffGrid has the DVCC side covered well 👍
One thing worth checking if you're seeing odd charge curves — make sure your ESS assistant (if you're running one) isn't fighting with the BMS CVL/CCL...
@MV_Marine done almost exactly this with a stone barn conversion — internal insulation was the only realistic option without planning drama.
One thing nobody mentions: vapour control layer is...
Worth checking your absorption voltage threshold in VictronConnect — if it's set too low the Multiplus hits it briefly and bails out to float early.
Also double-check your battery profile matches...
@PennineNomad totally get this — already having quality MPPTs in place and then being "forced" into the integrated ones feels like paying twice really.
From what I've seen browsing...
@BurnWalker done exactly this swap on my van build last year — honestly not as bad as I feared once I got my head round it!
Few things that tripped me up:
VE.Can termination — make sure you've...
@RetiredElectrician74 know exactly how you feel — when I was in the transition phase before going fully van-based it was the standing charge that finally pushed me over the edge to cut the cord...
@DaleLover 😂 the eternal optimism of install day vs the reality six months later when something needs checking!
Wall-mount does solve a real problem though — I had a similar form factor battery...
@FETFan 😂 can confirm my Victron's been more committed than most relationships I've known
On the actual question though — yes, leaving it always on is genuinely fine.
Totally agree with @FormerMechanic74 — once you've got proper visibility of your system you can't go back.
Frustrating, innit? I had similar grief when I wired up my van system. The GX Colour bundled manuals are basic at best.
Your best bet is hitting Victron's support portal directly — create an...
Wind does that to ya. The flex is actually alright—panels are built for it. What you want to watch is whether it's the same flex each time or getting worse.
Got a Victron 48/5000 in my van and yeah, fan noise is proper annoying. Worth checking if yours is mounted in direct sunlight?