On Hunter 36, where have you installed your solar charge controller?

[AndyL]

I'm looking to add solar charging to my 2004 Hunter 36 which has 4x6v golf cart batteries in the large port cockpit locker. I was planning to install my charge controller in that locker too. But the charge controller documentation has a big warning to never install it in a sealed compartment with flooded batteries due to the explosion risk.

Anyone with flooded lead-acid batteries who has installed solar - where have you put the charge controller?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[Johnb]

The charge controller provides information that is useful to have readily viewable. This includes:
Battery Voltage
Panel Voltage
Battery Current
Ampere Hours delivered for the day
State - Bulk/Boost/Equalization etc.....
and more
For this reason I installed mine in a otherwise unused location alongside the companionway that also happened to be convenient for the wire runs. I can tell at a glance if all is well.

 

[AndyL]

Thanks. Did you run your wiring down the arch then through to the location you describe?

 

[tfox2069]

The charge controller provides information that is useful to have readily viewable. This includes:
Battery Voltage
Panel Voltage
Battery Current
Ampere Hours delivered for the day
State - Bulk/Boost/Equalization etc.....
and more
For this reason I installed mine in a otherwise unused location alongside the companionway that also happened to be convenient for the wire runs. I can tell at a glance if all is well.

Depends on the solar controller being installed - the Victrons display that data via bluetooth to your phone and not on a controller display, so the controller can be mounted out of sight. Some do have a couple of idiot lights, but I find it much easier to monitor on my phone.

As for running wires down the arch, good luck. I was able to do so, but only by sacrificing my speaker wires and pulling the solar panel wires through the arch. I put a borescope in the arch, and there is a plate 2/3 of the way down the port arch that blocks any wiring except for two small holes drilled by Hunter. One set is for the overhead light, and the other for the speakers. I hated the speakers blasting me at the helm, so I use portable bluetooth speakers instead, and didn't mind sacrificing those wires to run my solar panel. I tried to pull both the speaker and solar wires through, but the hole is so small I couldn't do it.

 

[Johnb]

Thanks. Did you run your wiring down the arch then through to the location you describe?

I have a different boat with a purpose built solar support frame and ran the wires inside the tubing.

 

[AndyL]

As for running wires down the arch, good luck. I was able to do so, but only by sacrificing my speaker wires and pulling the solar panel wires through the arch. I put a borescope in the arch, and there is a plate 2/3 of the way down the port arch that blocks any wiring except for two small holes drilled by Hunter. One set is for the overhead light, and the other for the speakers. I hated the speakers blasting me at the helm, so I use portable bluetooth speakers instead, and didn't mind sacrificing those wires to run my solar panel. I tried to pull both the speaker and solar wires through, but the hole is so small I couldn't do it.

Thanks. Yes, I'd read your installation info about the arch in your previous thread and was planning to follow that approach since I don't use those speakers either. Where did you put your charge controller (assuming you have flooded batteries)?

 

[senang]

H38, Morningstar controller installed under the nav table in the area left attached to part of the access panel.

 

[tfox2069]

Thanks. Yes, I'd read your installation info about the arch in your previous thread and was planning to follow that approach since I don't use those speakers either. Where did you put your charge controller (assuming you have flooded batteries)?

Yeah, I didn't answer because you specifically mentioned FLA batteries

I installed the controller on a piece of Starboard right near where the wires exit the arch in the port cockpit locker. Its easy to see the status lights if you open the locker, but that's really not even necessary since my Victron controller is Bluetooth, so I just use my phone. I have sealed AGMs though, not FLA.

 

[Juice6576]

I have a MH-37. My controller was installed in the space behind the port settee seat back. It's less than a foot of cable run to the main battery positive battery terminal connection and the ground bus connection under the helm seat. My controller has a remote indicating panel that I installed above the AC Thermostat near the nav desk. Very pleased with the installation. I did install a couple of vent holes and inserts above the controller to ensure good ventilation.

 

[Patrikh]

I have my placed in the port cockpit locket close to the batteries as recomended by a professional boat electrician. It`s been there since 2004.

 

[MFD]

I have a different model boat (Hunter 41DS), but my choice was to install the MPPT charge controller as close as possible where the combi charger/inverter has its connections.

On my boat, there are 3 4D batteries for the house bank. Two of which are underneath the nav station seat (starboard) and the 3rd below the salon slight to starboard. Whereas the actual combi unit lives slightly on the port side.

I am certainly not a marine electrician, but there was space for me to install the MPPT unit there, reasonable ventilation, and I figured by simply tying it in super-close (with a 40 amp breaker) to where the shore power charges and the inverter draws made the best since overall in regards to compliance and safety.

I ended up over clamping onto the existing (Magnum?) connections for the installation rather than installing a separate bus bar. I am sure there are those that may think this could be a bit substandard.

Anyway - as others have said, as close to your main battery bank bus-bar/terminals as you can is best approach. And make sure you fuse it or install a breaker between the MPPT and the batteries. And of course, a fuse/breaker near the panels where they feed the MPPT, especially if you are going with parallel panels and high amps.