At first glance, this looks okay but consider that this is an external storage space that is exposed to the elements with a 240V mains outlet and battery charger. Not good.
1. CHEAP COMPONENTS
I don’ t know how many times I’ ve said this in articles I’ ve written over the years, but it must be said again: you get what you pay for. This is especially true with the various components used in 12V electrical systems.
Take lithium batteries, for example. Their proliferation and popularity in recent years have spawned a vast industry of literally thousands of manufacturers, all with differing quality and prices. Do a Google search for a 100Ah battery and you’ ll see the prices range from around $ 200 all the way up to $ 2200. I’ m not saying you must spend at the highest end of the price spectrum to get a good battery. If you shop around, you’ ll see the majority are priced between $ 400 and $ 1000. There are even a few well-known and respected name brands in that price range.
Check out the quality of these main cables from the batteries in our caravan. They are as thick as my thumb and are finished with high quality connectors. They have given us five years of trouble-free off-grid living.
The issue extends well beyond batteries. Take solar controllers as another example, where a cheap controller is likely to be rubbish.
Search for 30A solar controllers and you’ ll see prices range from as low as $ 15 to over $ 100. Now, you may well be tempted to go for the $ 15 option, but I can tell you there is one very popular unit in that price range where there is little to no difference between the 10A and the 30A option. Imagine how dangerous that could be if it was connected to a solar array capable of producing 30A.
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