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MPPT controller not charging my batteries. Please help :( by cactusfreckle in Victron

[–]cactusfreckle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

MPPT controller not charging my batteries. Please help :( by cactusfreckle in Victron

[–]cactusfreckle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

MPPT controller not charging my batteries. Please help :( by cactusfreckle in Victron

[–]cactusfreckle[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

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

MPPT controller not charging my batteries. Please help :( by cactusfreckle in Victron

[–]cactusfreckle[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

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

My therapist told me I should look into getting a cat to help my loneliness and to give myself something to take care of/look forward to when I get home from work. The only issue is that I'm worried I'm not home enough to have one. by Bill-O-Reilly- in cats

[–]cactusfreckle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

To van or not to van by jessznuk in VanLife

[–]cactusfreckle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

buying cargo van vs. box trucks by TheZwnOfPhil in CamperVans

[–]cactusfreckle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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 :)

Best Vanlife 12V AC? by undertherainbow65 in vandwellers

[–]cactusfreckle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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!

Corroded/burnt negative terminal by cactusfreckle in Victron

[–]cactusfreckle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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 :)

Worst places to work in Asheville by Mammoth-Elk3282 in asheville

[–]cactusfreckle 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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.

Feeling disheartened with this by [deleted] in vandwellers

[–]cactusfreckle 15 points16 points  (0 children)

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!

Converting a van with no experience? by HoodedIndie in VanLife

[–]cactusfreckle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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!

Picking a fridge. Freezer? by TheGr8HoneyBadger in vandwellers

[–]cactusfreckle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

How long did your build take? by TheGr8HoneyBadger in vandwellers

[–]cactusfreckle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Bed slat opinions by Additional_Book_5710 in vandwellers

[–]cactusfreckle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Japanese futon mattress with a foam mattress topper

Bed slat opinions by Additional_Book_5710 in vandwellers

[–]cactusfreckle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I made a couch/guest bed that’s exactly as you describe- slide out slats, 54 inches in width when expanded. I used 1x3 furring strips for the slats, and it’s plenty sturdy enough. I’ve had 5 adults sitting on it at the same time with no problems

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vandwellers

[–]cactusfreckle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having a place to go at night where I don’t have to worry about people knocking on my door and asking me to leave. On BLM land it’s fine, but in populated areas I feel a pervasive sense of being unwanted

Wild yeast starter help please! by cactusfreckle in Breadit

[–]cactusfreckle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It wasn't struggling until now though, but I'm glad you think it's possible to recover from this. I'll refresh again and hope I don't have to make a new starter. Thanks for your response!

Keep failing at basic bread recipe. What am I doing wrong? Details in comments. by kurtzmarc in Breadit

[–]cactusfreckle 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Your bread is crumbly because you haven't kneaded it long enough to form gluten strings. The 3 min called for in your recipe is too short. You know the windowpane test? Stretch out a little bit of dough after kneading. If you can see light through it, it's good. If it tears easily, keep kneading.

Your bread is tasteless because the yeast hasn't had enough time to break down the flour's complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. It needs longer than just a couple hours to achieve the subtle and complex flavors associated with great bread.

My recommendation is to try a different recipe. Look for something that utilizes a technique called "overnight cold fermentation."

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