@SaltyMaker — static caravan setup changes things a fair bit. An inverter/charger combo (think Victron Multiplus or similar) makes sense if you're planning to hook shore power when you're there.
Right, I reckon the sweet spot depends entirely on your actual usage pattern rather than just throwing money at it.
The DCC50S handles voltage spikes decently enough, but honestly if you're dealing with a genuinely dodgy alternator, you'd want to sort that first.
The compressor kick-in issue @ThistleKen mentions is real—I've seen it tank a poorly-sized system in under a season.
Right, the real killer is voltage drop over distance. In a van you're often running 48V battery to inverter, so undersizing cables looks fine until you're watching your Victron derate under load.
Worth checking a couple of things @RussScott that haven't been mentioned yet.
First, what's your actual cell voltage spread looking like?
Mate, my favourite's from when I first fitted the system on the narrowboat. Bloke asked if the panels would work on cloudy days.
Mate, you're overthinking this. That 3kW Victron on 48V will handle most workshop tools without breaking a sweat — drill, circular saw, angle grinder, no problem.
Right, I'll chip in here. Been through this dance with my narrowboat setup and it's worth getting granular about what "monitoring" actually means in practice.
VRM's your foundation—solid...
Right, couple of things worth adding here. The real decision hinges on your actual usage pattern and ambient temperature range, not just the headline specs.
I'm running a Victron LiFePO4 setup in...
Spot on about the equipment sensitivity, @DefenderAdventure. The real cost difference between MSW and pure sine isn't huge anymore — Victron's pure sine units are competitive now — but you pay it...
The cable gauge debate always comes down to your actual run length, which most folks don't measure properly.
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Depends entirely on your climate and space constraints, tbh. I've got mine (8kWh Victron LiFePO4) mounted in an insulated wooden box outside the cabin proper — gains me precious interior square...
Right, so @PanelEwan and @MarineGaz have covered the monitoring side well. What they're not emphasising enough is the active management bit, which is where it gets interesting on a van setup like...
You've got decent advice already on the structural side. Worth adding though—I've seen flat arrays work brilliantly on narrowboats if you're not moored in deep shade.
