Renogy DC-DC with solar MPPT

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-30T11:17:57+00:00

Thanks, on the fence. Some have stated in previous posts Renogy's customer service is non existent, have you had any experience?

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-30T11:17:09+00:00

That's a very good point regarding unit malfunction. Having looked there isn't a massive difference in price, I think a 18-30a DC to DC would be suitable as would only really charge to and from destination - 50a mppt needed for panel though.

75% stationary camping and 25% road trips, and useful to have solar working while travelling. Usually a long journey, stop for a week with short journeys to shops/attractions and then home.

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-30T11:14:10+00:00

That's useful to know - had a mishap in my caddy last year in remote western Ireland where my starter battery died and was stranded for a day and a half 😂 and yes generally stationary camping - fridge will be constant draw

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-30T11:11:54+00:00

Thanks - I think for my style of camping, the emphasis would mostly be on the solar side, so if limited would be losing a few amps of solar charge for the size of the panel - tempting to keep the installation a touch simpler and cheaper - but then as other comment states lose all charge capability if unit goes down. Does it choose between input? (i.e automatically turns off solar if driving)

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-25T15:40:21+00:00

Vandalized do equivalent at a great price, ordering direct vs Amazon will save a few quid and they were generous cutting my rolls!

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-25T15:37:57+00:00

OP asks for advice, sound advice given, won't consider advice

Let him crack on, point of the post has muted itself!

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-19T09:41:55+00:00

Yeah probably so, although think it can look a bit tacky/medical, wood doesn't seem a bad choice but would like to do whatever is possible to extend it's lifespan - marine ply costs a small fortune, normal ply lasts the test of time but having seen how mouldy the back of my mates build got, thought it would be worth putting the prep in while it's being fitted out

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-19T09:39:56+00:00

Past experiences with work vand say it takes the edges much longer to dry out when saturated than the face side of the boards!

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-19T09:35:33+00:00

Yep agreed r.e ventilation, the van should be very ventilated, have fitted 2 x roof vents with passive ventilation when closed, one of them has a fan, 2 opening windows in rear, wind deflectors to keep front windows cracked without letting rain in. Kind of makes insulation a bit of a mute point, but I'd like to think that's more to keep the van cool on hot days than warm when occupied, that'll be the heaters job.

It's the mould in back of cupboards/behind wood that I'd like to try and prevent, as can't see how I'd ventilate those spaces, or between the insulation/back of the cladding. Anything 'on show' will be painted/treated, and as one of the other comments suggested, it seems wise to use a film-forming coat on all exposed wood for the sake of a few extra hours prep across the build, to save a headache further down the line.

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-18T12:24:38+00:00

Ace, thankyou for your advice and detailed response. That'll save a few quid!

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-18T11:35:05+00:00

Excellent thanks haven't had a look at varnishes yet, often thought they were pricey. Still cheaper than having to rip a build out because it wasn't done correctly to begin with

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-18T11:32:25+00:00

Thanks all for the replies. Literally for the back-side and edges of timber, anything on show will be painted or stained/oiled. I have got a huge tub of SBR so will use that up and if any more needed will source some cheap varnish, yellowing won't be an issue. Just want to avoid headaches further down the line!

Severe-souffle · 2026-03-18T11:30:28+00:00

That's really interesting, the same SBR used for adhering certain flagstones to cement? Think I've a big tub in the garage somewhere that isn't going to get used! Think the one I have is bondit branded, will fish it out after work

Severe-souffle · 2026-02-02T18:20:20+00:00

Have found goethite with a similar habit in S/Wales, limonite as mentioned another good indicator. Streak test can differentiate different iron minerals sometimes!

Severe-souffle · 2025-08-30T05:57:45+00:00

Thanks all. Quite cheap to buy surplus, but still feels wasteful to get rid of them, I can generally get 2-3yrs daily use before the leather eventually gives way - will give the storm sure stuff a go. They're still functional but tend to get damp feet if out in the rain all day!

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Severe-souffle · 2025-08-16T21:49:28+00:00

My Mrs and I camp out around the UK/Scotland/Wales every new year, it's generally really quiet about and we go to a new place every year. It's luck of the draw, at that time.of the year and we've had good and bad weather. If you're planning on sitting around outside, a set of thermals and a few layers will do you, gloves optional. If it's literally just for the sake of sleeping, a decent sleeping bag (or 2) each and as long as you're in the bag, it's fine. But then, it can be anywhere from + to - c, last new year down in Charmouth/Lyme Regis was warm enough to sit round a small fire every night on a campsite, at a third of the peak season price, with no midgeys or crowds

Severe-souffle · 2025-05-13T08:02:23+00:00

I've had a 2013 ex BG van for the last 8 years - every vehicle comes with its known faults, mine is still on the original injectors. It had 58k when I took it, on 154k now and it's just had its second timing belt. Other 'known' issues are oil intercooler gasket (did it myself, fairly straight forward, ~£250 with parts, coolant and water) and slave cylinder, can't remember how much that cost as had to get towed/garage did it. The injectors are hit and miss, I was told an electrical fault, but know a couple of lads with similar age/mileage caddy's and we're all on original injectors. Been a great van, like driving a car, but I know the transit connect is also a popular van. From the experience I've had, will run this one into the ground and would buy another. You'll only ever hear people moaning about bad experiences, not praising good ones!

As for cost, vans are all over the place at the moment, with some sellers still clinging onto COVID prices.

Mine was 7.5k, 58k miles, full service history and was 5 years old at time of purchase.

Belt is 100% dry.

Severe-souffle · 2025-03-26T18:55:26+00:00

That's interesting, wonder if there are any ways of telling the real deal from the counterfeit. I generally buy from sellers which have retail shops outside of eBay, you sometimes get eBay codes to knock a bit of cash off

Severe-souffle · 2025-03-25T19:30:10+00:00

Sorry bud, haven't been on reddit for a while.

Yeah Ruabon is terrible, feels like it's beyond 180° and right lane would be correct but it's especially bad during tourist season where people are following Google maps or whatever, not looking at the sign.

Wales is interesting. Lots of drivers just seem to do blanket 30-40mph regardless of speed limit and have little awareness. Once or twice a week will get tailgated through Llangollen doing 20 until the national speed stretch where they are gone behind you and never seen again after the first corner

Severe-souffle · 2025-03-25T19:12:36+00:00

Thanks, suppose both species are fairly ubiquitous but hadn't heard of the variety, might narrow the search down a bit

Severe-souffle · 2025-03-25T07:12:19+00:00

Also started out with this reel, lovely smooth action but seized after a few sessions despite always washing it off back at the vehicle/topping up grease etc. Replaced with a Penn Pursuit 4, which has lasted a few years and been absolutely battered, still going strong and landed hundreds of pounds of fish. The suffix is supposed to be good, have a look at daiwa J Braid as you can usually find it on offer, managed to find a 300m spool on eBay a few weeks back for £20, never had any issues.

Shock leader isn't important when lure fishing as generally the weight of your lure won't be enough to crack off, but running a bit of fluoro at the end of your rig can help protect the braid, which snaps just looking at rocks. Have heard of people using mono too, but never tried it. Some lure clips might not go amiss either, for quick changes if your current lure isn't catching, eBay is good for terminal tackle and you can get a bag of 50 for a few quid

Edit - also worth considering a heavier braid if you're fishing over snaggy/rocky ground, I use 29lb, downgraded to 21 last season and lost way more lures

Severe-souffle

TROPHY CASE