Where did you wire in your solar panels?

jdhohmann · Jun 29, 2015

When we added our solar panel ( 140 watt), the solar panel went right to the controller, then the controller went directly to the batteries. I didn't want to add another switch between them. Switch would probably get turned off by accident, and not get turned on until I realised my batteries were dead. Have been running this for 5 years now, and have had no issues, and my batteries are always charged...

py26129 · Jun 29, 2015

What JD said.

Matt

py26129 · Jun 29, 2015

Jim

In my set-up I only charge the house bank. (2 group 27 batteries).

The reasoning behind that was that the I wanted to make sure that the house bank was looked after first as it runs the fridge etc. I can also use it to start the engine, should the starter battery fail or be run down.

Matt

jdhohmann · Jun 29, 2015

Parallel Batteries

jimlarsen said:
Does your charge controller accommodate two batteries? I don't want to create a bridge through the charging circuit. If there is only one output on the solar charger, how do you charge both batteries with a single direct connection?

Your batteries should be connected in parallel, if there not then you have bigger issues, saying that all you need to do is add the positive terminal (+) to the positive terminal (+) of one battery, and attach the negative (-) terminal of the controller to the 2nd battery (-) post.
It should be no different than what goes to your panel from both batteries

py26129 · Jun 29, 2015

Jim

How are your batteries currently wired? On my boat I have a dedicated starter battery, #1 on the selector switch and a dedicated house bank (2 group 27) #2 on the selector switch.

I added the second group 7 to the house bank after I bought the boat. it was a fairly simple project, easily done in an afternoon.

Matt

Chief RA · Jun 29, 2015

You do not need a start battery. Just hook up both batteries in parallel and attach like jdhohmann indicates. Chief

centerline · Jun 29, 2015

jimlarsen said:
I have a 2004 Hunter 36 and I want to add solar panels. I am curious how other people have attached the charging circuit to the boat's electrical system. I am thinking I can attach it to the main center pole on the battery switch, but then I would need to add a switch so I could turn it off. I can also attach it to the positive and ground at the motor. This seems like a better option, but I am not sure. That method would let me use the battery switch to select which battery was charging.

What's the best way to attach the charge controller to the boat circuit?

the best way is the proper way... get a BlueSea ACR (automatic charge relay), or equivalent, hook it up to the battery banks and connect the solar to the house bank....in conjunction with the charging systems you are already using.

regardless if you have solar or not, the ACR is a great thing to have if you have two battery banks that need charged, yet you want to keep them independent from one another at all times, except when you throw the switch to combine them... which, with an ACR installed, you should never have to do unless there is a problem with one or the other banks.

py26129 · Jun 29, 2015

I "dedicated battery #1 as the starter battery when I added the 2nd group 27 to battery #2.

In practice I often start the engine using battery #2. I just like knowing that if one of the batteries dies, I can still fire up the engine.

Matt

Chief RA · Jun 29, 2015

On a Hunter 240 a dedicated start battery is not needed unless you have an inboard. Pull start is your outboard starting backup. You consume very little power to start a motor and then it quickly puts it back in the bank. You have a huge battery bank for a 24'. Chief

py26129 · Jun 29, 2015

Got it, thank you. I had not clued in to the outboard angle. I would wire it as advised above.

Maine Sail · Jun 29, 2015

Chief RA said:
On a Hunter 240 a dedicated start battery is not needed unless you have an inboard. Pull start is your outboard starting backup. You consume very little power to start a motor and then it quickly puts it back in the bank. You have a huge battery bank for a 24'. Chief

Umm in the original post he said he has a 2004 Hunter 36......

Chief RA · Jun 29, 2015

Sorry bout that! Too many guys putting in too much info! Advice still good for smaller boats. Chief
PS: His profile says 240 Hunter, no wonder I'm confused!

centerline · Jun 29, 2015

jimlarsen said:
I currently have two group 27 deep cycle AGM batteries and a selector switch. The batteries are identical. I thought it a little odd to not have a dedicated start battery, but it looks like the factory setup.

the group 27 batts are 12 volt, so two of them will supply the necessary voltage to the starter just fine....
but having a second bank is a great option especially if you have a decent sized solar input..

you can purchase another G27 AGM and hook it up with an ACR, then move the engine supply to it.... then keep both the shore power charger and the solar charger connected to the existing house bank.
the alternator charge circuit does not need to be moved, because either bank its connected to, both banks will be charged whenever the engine is running...

Don Lucas · Jul 1, 2015

jimlarsen said:
I have a 2004 Hunter 36 and I want to add solar panels. I am curious how other people have attached the charging circuit to the boat's electrical system. I am thinking I can attach it to the main center pole on the battery switch, but then I would need to add a switch so I could turn it off. I can also attach it to the positive and ground at the motor. This seems like a better option, but I am not sure. That method would let me use the battery switch to select which battery was charging.

What's the best way to attach the charge controller to the boat circuit?

I have mine connected to the main DC panel via a breaker and I leave both house banks on line all the time. This also on my boat charges the start battery via the inverter switch switch because the inverter is connected to the common pole and feeds the start battery across the isolator.