Anyone have experience with Sunforce/Coleman Solar Panels ?

[Macboy]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but it seemed a good place rather than starting an overlapping one in the MacGregor forum. These are the same panels I have been gathering for the time being - 40W and came with the 7A charge controller. I think (if I recall correctly) that I can connect two of these through a single of the supplied charge controllers. But if I have two sets of two, can I then connect the controller outputs together and make the run to the battery wayyyy up front? I've also read that I want the controller as close to the battery as possible which would then mean I actually want to run the individual outputs all the way up front, then into the controllers and finally then to the batteries. Or could I merge each bank of two into two outputs therefore running four wires fore instead of eight? And then run the 4 gauge all the way back to the outboard.

Why four panels? Paranoia perhaps? I have two iEnabled children and need to make sure the Admiral has all the creature comforts her heart desires as I ease them into the life of a sailing family. Sadly no dishwasher but I'll take that one for the ship ; )

 

[Leeward Rail]

I can't see why you can't hook them up in parallel so the output is the "same" voltage and run them into a bigger controller.
The controller the sunforce/coleman controllers come with are an older inefficient design.
I'd buy a better controller (MPPT or at least PWM) that can handle the output from 4 panels and use bigger cable to minimize loss over a long cable run.

I have my single panel running into a chinese PVM unit that I bought for $20. Based on testing it is better than the one that came with my colemand/sunforce unit, and even has a LCD display to monitor battery voltage, panel output etc.

There is a youtube channel where a guy has been testing various models.

I'll be buying a good quality MPPT unit, if this doesn't do the trick.
I have yet to spend a full week on the boat, which is my ultimate use case scenario.

IMO idevices and other crap detract from spending quality time together. Everyone has their nose in a device instead of interacting with each other and the environment around them.

You may just find that once on the water, their "need" for the devices may temporarily fade away and you won't need as much power.
We've had guests on board in the past,and the best thing is when the cell signal fades. That is one reason my wife and I love sailing.


That said, if you have room for 4 panels, go for it. You can almost never have too much capacity when it comes to solar.

 

[dnimigon]

I just bought the Canadian Tire solar panel. Came with 2 40 watt panels with separate controllers. Basically 2 separate units. Our sailboat already has solar but having issues with battery charging. We have 2 batteries, one house and one start or supposed to be. Wiring is a mess. Alternator charges both while running plus we plug in while at slip to charge things up. Our old solar feeds the house. Can I connect both panels to the batteries they way things are. Do I use both controllers or should I separate both batteries and have solar charge each one separate. This screws up the alternator charging setup and also the shore power. Not sure what to do here. The panels are 40 Watt. Just concerned about when we leave the boat extended periods while we are away for months. It's in a slip but not plugged in. need battery for sump and restart once back at boat. Hope this all made sense.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Hope this all made sense.

No, it didn't. Sorry. You asked.

You need to explain the what and how of:

Alternator charges both while running plus we plug in while at slip to charge things up.

Do you use the 1-2-B switch to do this )on B) or do you have an ACR?

In general, all charging sources should go to the house bank with a VSR/ACR to the reserve bank. Individual controllers per panel will work, you already have them, why not use them? Is any controller big enough to use with more than one solar panel?

See why we need more info?

Tell us how your boat is wired and we can help some more.