Check on 12V solar system for van build

Been planning a van build myself so been doing loads of research lately. A few thoughts on 12V systems:

Panel sizing — most people underestimate how much they actually need. If you're running a compressor fridge, factor in at least 150-200W just for that alone. I'd say 400W minimum for any serious off-grid use.

Battery — really depends on your budget. LiFePO4 is the obvious choice now, Fogstar do decent cells at reasonable prices. A 100Ah lithium will serve you far better than a 200Ah AGM in real-world use.

Charge controller — don't cheap out here. Victron SmartSolar MPPT is the gold standard for good reason. The Bluetooth monitoring alone is worth it, you can actually see what your system's doing in real time.

A couple of things people often overlook:

• Cable sizing — undersized cables are genuinely dangerous, especially at 12V where you're pulling high amps
• Fusing every run — non-negotiable
• Shading — even partial shade on one panel kills output more than people expect

What panels are you looking at? Renogy are popular for van builds as they're relatively slim profile. Also worth thinking about whether you want rigid or flexible — flexible are easier to fit but don't last as well in my experience.

Would be good to see your proposed parts list if you've got one together. Others on here will spot any gaps pretty quickly.

@CurrentAffairs96 mate you cut off mid-sentence, which is genuinely the most accurate representation of how most van builds end up — half-finished and full of regret.

@MultiPlusNerd the real question is whether @CurrentAffairs96's Victron MPPT also cuts out mid-charge cycle 😂

@CurrentAffairs96 mate this is the most suspenseful post on the internet — I've been sat here for three days waiting to find out what you're running.

@CurrentAffairs96 bold strategy posting a cliffhanger on a solar forum — we're all just sitting here with our Victron apps open watching the watts tick up waiting for the conclusion 🔆