marchie
Full Member
- Posts
- 2,577
- Likes
- 6,825
Started with the new mattress that arrived on 3rd March to replace the worn out mattress [2016] + mattress topper [2021 temporary solution ...]. New duvets arrived 2 days later and Sunday was the first night using the new bedding et al down at Kelso . Significantly more comfortable and no dead legs/hips in the morning.
Yesterday morning drove to @wildebus where David and @StreetSleeper got stuck in to the installation of a 2nd roof solar panel 120w, to give 300w total, wiring for a new 100w Portable Solar Panel plus extension lead via the lockable water cupboard to minimise the chance of the Portables being stolen or damaged, and the replacement of the Roamer 230Ah Lithium with a 320Ah Alpha Batteries Polarmax Lithium, plus a new Victron Orion B2B 50 amp Charger to replace the Ablemail 30 amp version. Final touch was to replace the permanent USB-A Chargers in the Hab Area with a pair of combination USB-A or USB-C Chargers, so we can use the USB-C to USB-C to recharge phones etc quicker, and reduce the number of cables that we can trip over or mislay.
Superb work! The only problem when we turned in for the night, having to stay in the Borders to give time for the Roof Solar Panel adhesive to cure was an annoying constant elctrical buzzing that David investigated this morning, dismantling all the upholstery to get to the updated battery cupboard. The culprit? Either I or Elaine had left the kitchen tap slightly open [or had knocked the tap whilst we were shifting kit around the hab area last night ... When we turned the tap off, it was lovely and peaceful!
I was a wee bit concerned, having to spend a night off grid with the new Polarmax at 48% SOC [and we lost over 3% keeping the kitchen tap on all night ...], but we started today at 45%, the new Solar Panel roof set up got the recharge off to a flying start, and when we got back to Fife after a 90 minute drive, the Orion and Solar had raised the Polarmax SOC to 76% with a maximum of 215w generated and 410Wh.
Need to tidy the M/Home up tomorrow and have a play with the Portable Solar Panel and try the Polarmax out using the Induction Hob and Slow Cooker to see what we can sensibly use/expect, especially whilst the battery is still building towards full SOC, as we would be when properly offgrid.
Next step will be to get a quote to have the 10 year old upholstery renewed and the refillable lpg Regulator upgraded to an auto cutoff system, Still have the dodgy bathroom sink tap with the temperamental cold water micro switch, but gaining access to the pipework will be a pig of a job ... Meanwhile, thanks to David @wildebus and Rae@StreetSleeper for getting the new installation fitted into a battery cupboard that has all the space that you don't get in a 5.99m M/Home!
Steve
Yesterday morning drove to @wildebus where David and @StreetSleeper got stuck in to the installation of a 2nd roof solar panel 120w, to give 300w total, wiring for a new 100w Portable Solar Panel plus extension lead via the lockable water cupboard to minimise the chance of the Portables being stolen or damaged, and the replacement of the Roamer 230Ah Lithium with a 320Ah Alpha Batteries Polarmax Lithium, plus a new Victron Orion B2B 50 amp Charger to replace the Ablemail 30 amp version. Final touch was to replace the permanent USB-A Chargers in the Hab Area with a pair of combination USB-A or USB-C Chargers, so we can use the USB-C to USB-C to recharge phones etc quicker, and reduce the number of cables that we can trip over or mislay.
Superb work! The only problem when we turned in for the night, having to stay in the Borders to give time for the Roof Solar Panel adhesive to cure was an annoying constant elctrical buzzing that David investigated this morning, dismantling all the upholstery to get to the updated battery cupboard. The culprit? Either I or Elaine had left the kitchen tap slightly open [or had knocked the tap whilst we were shifting kit around the hab area last night ... When we turned the tap off, it was lovely and peaceful!
I was a wee bit concerned, having to spend a night off grid with the new Polarmax at 48% SOC [and we lost over 3% keeping the kitchen tap on all night ...], but we started today at 45%, the new Solar Panel roof set up got the recharge off to a flying start, and when we got back to Fife after a 90 minute drive, the Orion and Solar had raised the Polarmax SOC to 76% with a maximum of 215w generated and 410Wh.
Need to tidy the M/Home up tomorrow and have a play with the Portable Solar Panel and try the Polarmax out using the Induction Hob and Slow Cooker to see what we can sensibly use/expect, especially whilst the battery is still building towards full SOC, as we would be when properly offgrid.
Next step will be to get a quote to have the 10 year old upholstery renewed and the refillable lpg Regulator upgraded to an auto cutoff system, Still have the dodgy bathroom sink tap with the temperamental cold water micro switch, but gaining access to the pipework will be a pig of a job ... Meanwhile, thanks to David @wildebus and Rae@StreetSleeper for getting the new installation fitted into a battery cupboard that has all the space that you don't get in a 5.99m M/Home!
Steve
