To buy or to build?

[merl]

So the build begins.
All stripped out, sound deadening in. Unistrut roof bars on. Windows are in, Maxx fan is in, looking for tanks, and Renogy solar panels, (3 x 175 watts) going on this week. I am looking at full electrical and no gas. I have bought two 200 Renogy lithium batteries but, see this video so, asked Renogy what the BMS of their batteries are and not getting a straight answer. Has anyone more information on BMS amperage, please?

Trying to get all the ancillaries done before doing the inside. Any advice is willingly accepted, thank you.

12V 200Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery w/ Bluetooth

Weighing only half of the lead-acid counterparts, the 12V 200Ah solar battery can be safely discharged to 100% DOD (Depth of Discharge), delivering twice the energy.

uk.renogy.com

Renogy spec says 200A continuous discharge, 100A charge. That's per battery so theoretically you have double that capacity.
I don't know what apparatus/appliances you're anticipating using but if you're anticipating drawing particularly high currents then perhaps you should consider a 24v system as it could offer many advantages over a 12v setup and NOW during the install and purchasing is the time to capitalise on that.
.

 

[wildebus]

So the build begins.
All stripped out, sound deadening in. Unistrut roof bars on. Windows are in, Maxx fan is in, looking for tanks, and Renogy solar panels, (3 x 175 watts) going on this week. I am looking at full electrical and no gas. I have bought two 200 Renogy lithium batteries but, see this video so, asked Renogy what the BMS of their batteries are and not getting a straight answer. Has anyone more information on BMS amperage, please?

Trying to get all the ancillaries done before doing the inside. Any advice is willingly accepted, thank you.

I think Renogy typically use Daly BMS devices, but like most low cost suppliers, will be down to cost, so what they use today may be different to yesterday and to tomorrow.
What info are you looking for on BMS Amperage? for the basic values, the numbers will be quoted in the battery spec.

 

[JQB]

To buy or to build?



I have taken a deposit on my villa in Spain, so at the end of next month will no longer have a base there.
I sold my Hymer b544 because I could not get it on the drive without much shunting.

I am now looking for a smaller van.

My dilemma is whether should I buy, or should I build a campervan. I am looking to have a compact or van conversion with a lounge that can be two singles, and a shower room/toilet, at 72, and having a wife that visits the loo many times each night the twin singles seem a good idea to me.

I can see the cost saving in self-building one, but does that also mean the conversion won’t hold the value you put into it?

Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks.

If u have the tools energy and time why not? But having converted two vans in the past, and had a new individual house built as well, you won't get everything right. Well i did'nt , electrical outlets for ecample.

 

[QFour]

Find an A Class. Ours is 6.4m long and 2.1m wide. Two double beds. One in the front over the seats and one in the back over the garage. Toilet and shower in the middle. Neither of us wakes the other up. This is the best one yet and the smallest and 3500kg so no medicals

 

[Thistle]

@Polar Bear
I have one of those Renogy 200A batteries. Bought before the excellent Fogstar Drift range became available. (heated, higher capacity, smaller footprint etc)
They are relatively big batteries In my case I found it awkward to place and I should have bought 2x100Ah instead probably.
The BT interface/ BMS in mine is better than nothing but very inaccurate, the SOC is unreliable both for remaining capacity and charge rate.
I use an external shunt for proper SOC readings.
I find when on charge it sits at 98.1% for ages. whist absorbing another 25-30A so SOC is very optimistic when charging
Low temp disconnect work properly but in mine both temps sensors read around 5C low so low temp disconnect kicks in prematurely.
A possible side effect of the low temp disconnect is occasionally the battery seem to sit at around 12v they are not supposed to go to sleep once activated but I think mine does occasionally.

I use a simple seed tray heater to keep it warm in winter.

The DC home app can be really flaky connecting to the BT interface in the batterie and mppt controllers, its 90% social media bloatware and 10% useful info and seems to need an internet connection to behave!

If you buy a Renogy Rover LI mppt controller be aware the default LI profile is flawed the bulk voltage is too high and it never switches to float, I use user settings instead, covered extensively on Will prowses forum.

HTH.

 

[Mikebike]

To buy or to build?



I have taken a deposit on my villa in Spain, so at the end of next month will no longer have a base there.
I sold my Hymer b544 because I could not get it on the drive without much shunting.

I am now looking for a smaller van.

My dilemma is whether should I buy, or should I build a campervan. I am looking to have a compact or van conversion with a lounge that can be two singles, and a shower room/toilet, at 72, and having a wife that visits the loo many times each night the twin singles seem a good idea to me.

I can see the cost saving in self-building one, but does that also mean the conversion won’t hold the value you put into it?

Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks.

We have owned a Roller Team Toleno Fiat Ducato 6m new auto box for 2 years it was really my wife's choice it has 2 bench seats in the back which we use as seats in the day we can put our feet up and bed at night. We just leave our sleeping bags on top. It has a wet room with toilet and sink we use the shower occasionally which is adequate drying out takes time. I have to say it was a good decision as we love it, she is a frequent visitor to the loo and I am no longer disturbed.