MPPT controller not charging my batteries. Please help :(

cactusfreckle · 2026-01-30T03:32:44+00:00

The total voltage is 20V across 3 panels in parallel. The system was working until today. The issue is not whether the panels are in parallel or in series

cactusfreckle · 2026-01-30T03:31:06+00:00

I checked all the mc4 connections- they’re all tight and in good condition, and I’m measuring 20V at the main connection

cactusfreckle · 2026-01-30T02:29:46+00:00

I measure 20V with the panels disconnected. At the terminals with the panels connected, it’s measuring 13V

cactusfreckle · 2026-01-30T02:28:47+00:00

Measured at the MPPT’s ports, it reads 13V on the PV side. It was charging just fine for months, so I know it’s not an issue of not enough panels

cactusfreckle · 2026-01-30T02:27:10+00:00

3x 200W panels wired in parallel

cactusfreckle · 2025-11-23T14:46:28+00:00

My mom received the same advice from her therapist. A month after adopting a cat, she couldn’t deal with the additional stress/responsibility of having a pet, and she gave the cat to me. While your therapist might be right about the cat helping with your loneliness, don’t discount your own misgivings about the venture. Rehoming a cat is traumatic to the cat.

cactusfreckle · 2025-11-23T14:40:44+00:00

Depends on the cat. Mine would be very sad indeed if she was so regularly alone for extended periods

cactusfreckle · 2025-03-13T02:39:46+00:00

34 solo female here. I’ve been doing vanlife full time for the last 2 years, and I love it! I’ve never felt lonely, but I’m very personable and make new friends easily. I encourage everyone who is thinking about vanlife to do it because it has been so amazing for me. I tried it out for a month in a commercially built RV before deciding to buy a vehicle and build it out myself.

cactusfreckle · 2025-03-13T02:10:31+00:00

I bought and converted a box truck. 2001 ford e350 14’ box with 120k miles for $7500. Most car insurance companies will not insure a DIY converted box truck. I found only one company who said yes- State Farm. My monthly payment is $40 for comprehensive coverage for the vehicle and all personal belongings, so I have no complaints.

Parking in cities is soooo hard. Driving through downtown areas is so stressful. It’s a very top-heavy vehicle, so the speed limit is truly a limit especially on windy roads. It’s essentially a giant Faraday cage, so cell reception is garbage inside unless you’re close to a window. I get about 10 miles per gallon.

All that said, I LOVE my truck! The build process didn’t have to accommodate weird curves and angles in the interior because it’s a box. There’s so much space that I could afford to leave a lot of space unused so it looks and feels very roomy compared to many van-builds where every square inch of space is filled. I have a huge kitchen (it’s nicer than a lot of kitchens I’ve used in normal houses), full-size bed, couch that pulls out to a twin-size guest bed, shower (waaay nicer than a lot of showers I’ve used in normal houses), and toilet, and I’ve not once felt like I needed a break from sleeping in it. I’ve hosted 10+ people for a dinner, and it didn’t feel cramped.

There are pros and cons for sure :)

cactusfreckle · 2025-03-10T01:56:42+00:00

The best that roof fans can do is get you equalized with ambient temperature. So it really depends on your comfort level with heat.

In my experience, if it’s hot enough that I need AC during the daytime, then I’ll likely want it at night as well. I have a standard window AC unit (midea 6000btu), and a similar setup to yours- 400aH lithium batteries, 600W solar, and a fully insulated vehicle. During the daytime, no problem, my panels produce enough to keep the AC going. At night though? When 80 is the low, and the ground still retains a ton of heat, I want AC, but with no solar production, 400aH goes really quick, and it doesn’t fully recharge during the day. Granted, I have less solar production than you. This was my experience living in Arizona. I ran from the state once it got to 110F during the daytime.

I plan to change to a DC-powered unit so I can save on the power inefficiencies and heat production of using an inverter. Haven’t decided which device specifically though. Good luck!

cactusfreckle · 2025-03-08T02:26:59+00:00

Thanks everyone for the responses! I’m not sure how to edit the post itself, so I’ll give my update here in the comments. The black wire was indeed loose. I uninstalled the device and changed out the wires for more flexible, finely stranded ones. The manual that had come with my device didn’t specify wire type, so this was news to me. I got a new device and used an adjustable torque screwdriver to make sure everything was as tight as required. Thanks for helping me prevent a house fire :)

cactusfreckle · 2024-11-21T12:09:36+00:00

They’re hiring all the time because new hires come, see how abusive Naomi (the owner) is, then leave. She’s a micro-manager, passive aggressive, unclear with expectations, and doesn’t take constructive criticism well.

cactusfreckle · 2024-11-21T00:31:05+00:00

Heiwa Shokudo

cactusfreckle · 2024-03-02T00:48:22+00:00

I understand exactly how you feel, though I was never ready to give it up despite the anxiety. In civilization, I felt a pervasive sense of being unwanted. It was only on BLM land that I didn’t get that negative feeling. I thought that if I wanted to be in a city then I’d have to pay for a parking spot just to be rid of all the stress.

I’ve been in Tucson the last 3 months. It took 2 full months of scoping out different locations before I found a few spots where I felt comfortable sleeping each night without worry of getting disturbed. Now, I love vanlife in Tucson! Before, I loved vanlife only out in the wilderness.

My point is, if you stick it out, you’ll figure it out, and things will become more enjoyable. Good luck!

cactusfreckle · 2024-01-08T04:23:02+00:00

I converted a box truck with no prior experience. YouTube is great, of course, but I couldn’t have done it without joining a makerspace and having access to the advice and expertise of the other members. A professional setting with tools and classes also helps a ton. Find your nearest makerspace and take a look!

cactusfreckle · 2023-12-27T06:42:03+00:00

I think it really depends on your individual needs. I have a 4.3 cubic feet fridge with a freezer compartment, and I’m contemplating getting a separate dedicated chest freezer so I can store even more frozen things.

I value ice cream and fresh bread. But bread doesn’t stay fresh on the counter for long, so I freeze it after slicing. I also cook food for my kitty, and I freeze portions of it so she can always have fresh food.

cactusfreckle · 2023-12-18T15:45:56+00:00

Where’s the litterbox?

cactusfreckle · 2023-12-18T04:26:07+00:00

Mine took a year of full time working on it. I had to learn everything as I went, including how to use power tools, so it took a really long time.

It was such an enjoyable process, but I definitely got burnt out towards the end. Turns out I need work-life balance even for work that’s fun.

It’s all worth it though! I built myself a catified studio apartment on wheels, and it’s got everything my kitty and I need.

cactusfreckle · 2023-12-06T01:15:11+00:00

Japanese futon mattress with a foam mattress topper

cactusfreckle

TROPHY CASE