Hello from Peter in Easter Island

DIY
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Hi everyone on this new platform… I didn’t participate much in the old version of Community as I found it little confusing, but I will give this new one a try.

I am a self-taught installer of Victron-based systems in Easter Island (in the middle of the Pacific). So far I have done about 80 GX based systems. Most of them fairly standard, but here and there I am trying some basic DIY and custom modifications. I am just getting started with NodeRED and MQTT integrations. I also install networking equipment and some of it is off-grid, so there are some interesting integrations with Victron I am looking to implement or improve upon in the future.

Last but not least, I own an old VW camper van from the fifties which is currently parked in my friend’s place in upstate NY… some day I am hoping to restore it and convert it to fully electric mini RV.

Looking forward to interact more with the community from now on.

7 Likes
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Welcome @peter we hope this improved forum is easier to use and provides a better user experience. It is a work in progress, so bear with us.

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G’Day Peter, welcome to the forum.

Crikey, you must be the most remote of all the folk contributing to the community.
Must be a logistical challenge.

Cheers Shane, AKA Water Rat.

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Hi Peter, welcome!

That is a special place to be installing and maintaining such systems.

All the best,

Matthijs

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Hello Peter,
I envy you for the landscapes and freedom feeling I get when thinking of such exotic places.
I looked over your facebook profile and found the picture below.
I have a question though…
Considering the panels sometime could even get to 70-80 deg.C, is it wise to put them over a reed roof?
Not to mention that the DC arcing, God forbid, is much bigger than AC. So any imperfect contact could lead to a nasty fire…
Alex

maori
maori988×841 470 KB

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Hey… interesting point… haven’t really considered it before.

Anyway, in this particular case, there are few somewhat relevant points:

  • This roof is not real reed. It’s a plastic imitation, but I guess the point still stands.
  • Also, this installation is right on the beach with a fair amount of marine breeze.
  • There is considerable air space between the panels and the imitation reeds.
  • It is a food stand, so fire damage wouldn’t be that big of a deal in case of an eventual fire.
  • And lastly, this installation no longer exists. It was up for about 2 years before COVID, and the client sold all the equipment a few months into the lockdowns. It didn’t cause any issues in that period, and now it’s gone, so I guess we will never know.

I haven’t done any other installation like this one since then.

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Thanks for detailed clarification.
Hope you didn’t mind that I’ve commented… :blush:

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No problem

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Have a tenant with a workshop in my house here what exactly works on such project with a T3 (not T1) He is using recycled batteries from Volvo together with recycled BMS and motor from Tesla. The project has already a proof concept to receive a homologation in Germany and possibly I can arrange the contacts for you.