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easy, just wire the loads to the battery with a fuse. I personally like MRBF for small systems like this. your victron IP65 will do that just fine. All LFPs with BMS are designed to cut the loads at a safe voltage, leaving the battery in a very-low-but-not-dead state. If you don't trust your...

I have one of those "plug N play" hot tubs that can run on 120VAC - it heats at about 1KW. I realized after some energy auditing that this tub is using about 150 kWh/month (roughly 100 summer, 200 winter). As a test, I tried putting it in Eco mode, which drops the temperature from 104F to...

I have a Phonex Direct 12/800 (120VAC) and the fan only runs while under load. I just did a quick test with variable loads: * 10 watts : silent (fan may be on but I can't hear it) * 40 watts : silent (fan may be on but I can't hear it) * 500 watts: loud - fan is audible from about 6 feet away...

here is an example of using a lightweight, flexible, solar panel in a roof mount that can be easily removed if you are parking in shade: link

Another cool feature why I like Victron so much: you can get the Victron app, and within the app it has demonstration modes for all of their devices, allowing you to play around with all of the data and settings. Even if you don’t own the device yet!

$300 To $800?? Here is a 100W Sunpower flexible for $155 https://www.amazon.com/SunPower-Flexible-Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel/dp/B077H45H3F

Zoom. Enhance. I adjusted the brightness and contrast, and in your picture: * you can see the fuse * it's clearly blown (notice how the left side is uneven and missing one of the 4 pegs)

The three output version of the IP22 is somewhat limited. Basically you get to choose 1 charging program, and it gets applied across all 3 outputs, in a shared fashion. Reportedly, the batteries are isolated from each other (so, e.g. battery 1 can't feed into battery 2) but it's not like you...

There’s also a fourth mode, in which the inverter is powered on, but using the Bluetooth app you tell it to stop inverting. That mode uses very little power. See https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/20683/understanding-the-phoenix-vedirect-onoffecoremoteb.html

Most electronic systems and parts, both consumer and professional, include hefty safety margins in their design and specifications: Sometimes the true specifications are much more robust than the printed ones (for example, NEC's wire ampacity rules are quite conservative, so you can probably...

My class B tv uses these: https://www.grainger.com/product/CARLING-TECHNOLOGIES-Panel-Mount-Circuit-Breaker-4VA73

for fusing the wire off the battery, MRBF fuses are hard to beat: https://www.bluesea.com/products/5191/MRBF_Terminal_Fuse_Block_-_30_to_300A They sit right on the battery terminal (so the entire wire is protected) and don't require any cutting, crimping or soldering. They don't go below 30...

As a counterpoint, I’ve had an A.O. Smith hybrid, heat pump water heater for four years, and I’ve been perfectly happy with it. Maybe I got lucky? Maybe you got un lucky?

In general, most battery chargers will work OK together. In other words if you have a solar MPPT charger, as well as a 120 V AC charger, as well as the alternator charge, all of these things can coexist happily. Specifically, many Victron devices can network with each other and share data and...

A flexible panel with a rigid mount may still weigh quite a bit less than a regular panel due to the weight of the glass. Here's an example of a home-made mount, the Flexible panel + mount is 110W and weighs 11lbs vs. the rigid panel which is 85W and 20lbs...

I just got a Victron IP22 Charger and am in the process of installing it. I got the 3 battery, 30A model (which is about $220) but the small 15A/1 battery model is about $120. So far, I'm liking it - Victron has quite good bluetooth app support. Yes, the Victron gear is highly...

Here are some related discussions: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/cheap-flexible-100w-panel-doa.59877/ https://diysolarforum.com/threads/what-do-you-think-of-my-idea-flexible-solar-panels-on-my-van.55945/ Personally I'm very happy with the SunPower flexible - name brand, very high...

Nice clean install, and I approve of your choice of Victron gear. I've got a class B van where space is limited. Some thoughts: * You won't run the fan at 18watts 24 hours/day. My van has a MaxxFan Deluxe and while I do run it (while cooking, to cool down the van, etc.) it has variable...

Standard electric water heaters can draw 7500W+. What about replacing your water heater with a heat-pump water heater? Some of these only draw 500W or less when running. Many newer models also let you set a schedule, so the water heater won't run during specific hours.

Basically, voltage is a very poor way to measure battery state of charge - you can really only do it while the battery is not being used, not being charged, and after it has rested "long enough" With most battery types it's far more accurate to use a dedicated battery meter - these usually...

My thinking: * a good EV can get up to 5 miles / kWh, or 50 miles per 10 kWh. * a good ICE (such as a Prius, etc.) can get up to 50 mpg. To a very rough approximation, the break-even point is when 10 kWh of electricity costs the same as one gallon of gasoline. Here in San Diego, we are...

Victron has the SmartSolar MPPT series with a wide variety of amp/voltage capability - I just installed a 100/20 model this week, and am very happy with it so far. I've also got a Phoenix 12/800 inverter, which is great (I chose the 800 to fit within a small space). I think Victron gear is...

Here's an archived version where you can read almost the entire article (Edit: and if you use Reader mode on your browser, the entire aritlce is viewable)

I think the answer is "it depends" because MPPT controllers sweep the voltage range looking for the most wattage (V * I) and it's possible that depending on conditions (partial shading, temperature, etc.) it might find a voltage range that favors one panel vs. the other. I couldn't find IV...

I like the idea of using the 13.8V DC DC converter, that's interesting. As for which device is better: Settings for the MPPT 100/20 charge controller Load Output: Settings for the BMV-712 Relay: It looks like the BMV has a lot more options, but since it only has a low amperage relay...

One thing to consider: some models are auto breaker only (e.g. you can not manually throw the switch to open the circuit). Some have on/off switches that you can manually throw. Since you already have a 1 / 2 / Off battery switch, you probably don't need a manual breaker?

You can get a much better SunPower 100w flexible for $150. Why waste time on cheap stuff? https://www.amazon.com/SunPower-Flexible-Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel/dp/B077H45H3F

Exactly - I'm going to cut off the MC4 connectors and use Anderson Power Poles instead, and then build a 30 foot long extension cable for when it's on the ground. Voltage loss calculators suggest that a 12 gauge conductor at 5 amps will lose about 3% at 30 foot distance. That small loss is...

Victron inverters also have an adaptive low voltage disconnect which tries to intelligently change the disconnect voltage based on the current amperage load. Do you have that enabled? edit… I see you don’t have Bluetooth. I think you should get the Bluetooth!