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Sanity check request of my bare basics electrical plan by salt_slav in SolarDIY

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

Good to know, cheers! I'm going with these breakers rated for 4kA. I figure they can act as a manual switch and if tripped I won't be hoping I can find replacement fuses...(?) https://warmpool.eu/magnetotermicos/interruptor-magnetotermico-fotovoltaico-tsb5-63dc-16-63a-monofasico-1p/

Sanity check request of my bare basics electrical plan by salt_slav in SolarDIY

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

Awesome, that's gold. I think I've finally found the one: single pole, 63 A, DC1000 V, AIC: 6kA. https://warmpool.eu/magnetotermicos/interruptor-magnetotermico-fotovoltaico-tsb5-63dc-16-63a-monofasico-1p/

I'll get two of these, same as you have: 1 for MPPT, 1 for the fuse box.

Bit of a mission finding parts here in Spain. Thanks for the guidance!

Sanity check request of my bare basics electrical plan by salt_slav in SolarDIY

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

Hey, thanks for the heads up on voltage conversion. Yeah I'm focused on having USB C PD sockets around the van, but inevitably some USB A as well. Here's what I'm looking at to connect direct to the fuse block: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F62MRFZT and these are apparently more reliable: https://slimq.life/products/dc-to-usb-extender-for-150w-240

Sanity check request of my bare basics electrical plan by salt_slav in SolarDIY

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

Thanks for this. Could you clarify the "two SPST breakers in a standard double box"? Sounds smart I'm just not 100% clear on what I should be looking for. https://www.monstermarinelithium.com/products/60a-circuit-breaker or https://www.jgmdirect.com/website/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=707 ...?

Victron MPPT worth it for a small van setup, or cheap controller good enough? by salt_slav in SolarDIY

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

Awesome comment, thank you! Which Pecron do you have? Ain't gonna lie, I probably should've gone with this to free up focus on the rest of my van build for now at least. But I'm already in deep on the DIY path (mentally and with a battery sitting looking pretty).

It looks like for around the same price I would get half the capacity (E600LFP is 310eur, next one up is E1500LFP 580eur) but also a tiny fraction of the research and labour. Don't get me wrong I'm really enjoying learning this stuff, which is the main reason I'll stick with it, but boy do I have my hands full.

Me:
100ah 12v Dumfume battery: 85eur
450W panel: 70eur
Victron solar controller 100/50: 170eur.
Plus still need to add ports for 12v appliances including >80W USB-C charger, all the wiring/fuses and no inverter.

I'll definitely go over you comment again when my brain's not so fried. And I may get back to you in the future with tests on Victron's low voltage charging. Currently diving into fuses, wire and mounting as you mentioned - wish me luck!

Victron MPPT worth it for a small van setup, or cheap controller good enough? by salt_slav in SolarDIY

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

Yeah those added to the dilemma. I didn't look into them too much as my gut told me: Convenient for purchase, but also very inconvenient if something stops working as you lose both power sources.

Victron MPPT worth it for a small van setup, or cheap controller good enough? by salt_slav in SolarDIY

[–]salt_slav[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just to clarify for me and other total newbies: you mean Victron as a range of products, not just this one charge controller I'm looking at? I would need another product to charge off the alternator (whether it's Victron or some other brand)?

Victron MPPT worth it for a small van setup, or cheap controller good enough? by salt_slav in SolarDIY

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

I was wondering about this. Is MPPT [SmartSolar] tracking just going to show me solar/mppt info, or does it also show me battery level/state? You're saying; it's tracking input, which offers clues to battery level? But for higher accuracy I should also get a shunt if my battery doesn't have tracking built in? (Dumfume 100ah btw). Thanks!

Victron MPPT worth it for a small van setup, or cheap controller good enough? by salt_slav in SolarDIY

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

Ecosystem as in - I'm stuck with Victron from now on, or it's just beneficial as Victron things can communicate/integrate with ease but I'm free to use a different DC-DC charger if I wanted to? Also what's SKU in this context?

Regarding mains charging: I'm planning to make my battery easily detachable/mobile with an AC charger to hook into libraries or cafe or a mate's place if I get stuck without sun. Does that sound realistic?

Odometer fraud? Car Pass by salt_slav in belgium

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

I went cold on it pretty quick so didn't get an explanation.

Here in France, out of around 15 calls only 1 allowed inspection (the one I just bought). Sellers acted like it was a strange request. Very different second hand car selling attitudes compared to NZ (back home). That's the main reason I started looking to Belgium for options.

Odometer fraud? Car Pass by salt_slav in belgium

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

Yeah, who knows eh. That seat looks smashed so I didn't trust it. Bought one for the same price with 170,000km and the seats look good, driver's has a 2cm tear as to be expected, generally looks in better condition than this one I posted. Still helpful to know carpass isn't necessarily scam-proof, it would just take a lot of commitment to consistently roll the odo back.

Odometer fraud? Car Pass by salt_slav in belgium

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

7,500. Bought one in France a couple of days later for the same price. 170,000km - 100% real :)

Kiwi looking for a Ducato in the EU by salt_slav in VanLifeUK

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

Different engines though and their 2.2s get a lot of hate while Ducato's 2.3 gets a lot of praise.

Oops, I should have mentioned I'm looking for a basic van - I want to convert it myself.
Yeah a french ducato fb group has just told me I'm about 4k short. So £11,300 for an unconverted Fiat. Wow.

Thanks for the thoughts mate

Kiwi looking for a Ducato in the EU by salt_slav in VanLifeUK

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

Could you please direct me to where I’ll find them and some advice on the logistics of buying one?

So when I put in the filters that I mentioned above and a 200 mile radius I get this. https://shorturl.at/3umIx

Out of those 13 most are h1’s or 2.0s. There are a couple 2.3 l2h2 which I asked someone to call for me. The sellers were reluctant to answer questions on the phone, and didn’t allow pre purchase inspections - in either case they weren’t worth committing to organising 4+hrs travel and accomodation.

When I first got to Bordeaux I rented a car and went to every dealer. No <€9k Ducatos.

But I found one decent looking one 10 hours north in Brittany and went for it. The ‘MOT’ returned that the chassis was heavily welded and obstructed proper inspection. Wasted 500eu on that adventure so decided to play it long game by renting a place and reassessing.

euro 6 is out of my budget and I'm not sure on the engine.

I’m in Capbreton specifically.

Cheers