Choosing a Solar Charge Controller

[Genesis V]

I wanted to use solid solar panels mounted to the boat with out
using anything that would be flexing or mounted on canvas or any temporary install that had to be removed for any reason and have the panels on 24/7 and had seen so many solar panels on so many different sailboats and the ones that were mounted on some kind of strong frame so would not get beat up or flex.
And so mounting on the Hunters arch was a no brainer and nice and strong
and would handle any kind of weather or wind and not worry when the boat
would get hit with any kind of wind also and nice neat installing the wires down into the arch with no wires hanging all over and nice neat very strong install
for sure and been on my boat a few years now with no problems and picked up the panels over in Miami at very good price.
The Hunter arch so great for solar panels and the solar panels work so good
I never use shore power for charging batteries and leave ref on 24/7 and around 4 fans all off solar panels with a BLUE Sky 3024 charge controller.
Nick

What you're saying re. the arch makes absolute sense particularly with the shadow of the boom (longer ones on Hunters) and I did consider that but I wanted to get away from the expenditure of the stainless steel work and the welding job that might be necessary. The other factor is that the boat is in Georgian Bay off of Lake Huron and every October the winter-cover comes out and goes on and large rigid panels that extending out almost to the beam with sharp edges becomes an issue. As it is the arch causes me to have insufficient fall-ratio on the winter-cover, even with the cover now 8ft above the cockpit sole.
Would I be wrong in thinking that when at anchor for days, flexible panels mounted by Velcro on a Bimini could be easily moved on deck to get the best sunlight exposure (with extended wires) or even mounted on something like starboard which would make them almost like an rigid panel.

 

[seadaddler]

Solar

I hardly get any shading with the boom and the panels can come off easy for winter storing,panel and aluminum angle easy removal,stainless round tubing stays or not,all easy removal I added all myself with another guy just to remove panels.
I can give a lot of pro and con to both our way of doing things like the panels are sucking up sun 24/7 sunrise to sunset and not having to lug all that stuff
out and out off and on and the weather is changing and hurray y put everything away.
Sailing all day and at end of the day heading to anchor and wondering what is
the weather going to be should I setup the solar or not and next morning wait
I need to put solar away before leaving and wear and tear on all these wires
and flex panels and are they very secure when all of a sudden this storm comes
unexpected.
I only showed my system to help any one needing help for I think a very nice system sucking up free sun all the time when ever the sun is out and not really don't have to think about it at all.
Took me a year or 2 before deciding what system would be good for my boat
after looking at many other systems,just past on the info.
If it is a lot of work I am retired and work:naughty::naughty::naughty::naughty:
Nick

 

[Bob 04 H260]

What parts Fl. you visiting Fl. east coast & Bahami I guess,Java now in Fl.
and doing Keys and over to Ft Myers.
I will be going to keys in April and every year try to talk my wife into
Bahama just once but she.
But she does go for 3 weeks with me and PGSC :dance::dance::dance:
Nick

Hi Nick, yes we will be doing east coast from Stuart south to Miami, possibly some Keys. Then across to Bahamas for a bit. Back in FL in April. I hope we run into you and Java on this cruise. maybe hook up at the Miami Boatshow in Feb ?

Bob

 

[seadaddler]

Show

I love the Miami boat show and will check things out and see
what is going on here for sure.
nick

 

[kingsailor]

Where did you mont your panels? Any pictures?

 

[kingsailor]

On our Hunter 45 CC we mounted three Kyocera panels, and used the Blue Sky 2512i X-HV Controller, with their IPN Pro Remote panel mounted at the Nav. Station. Have had the system for about 4 + years, and have no problems. You might also want to check out Arizona Wind and Sun's website for the panels, junction box, and controllers. They really carry quality components, and will help you. Good luck with your project.

Jeff

do you have pictures of where and how you mounted your panels.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

What you're saying re. the arch makes absolute sense particularly with the shadow of the boom (longer ones on Hunters) and I did consider that but I wanted to get away from the expenditure of the stainless steel work and the welding job that might be necessary. The other factor is that the boat is in Georgian Bay off of Lake Huron and every October the winter-cover comes out and goes on and large rigid panels that extending out almost to the beam with sharp edges becomes an issue. As it is the arch causes me to have insufficient fall-ratio on the winter-cover, even with the cover now 8ft above the cockpit sole.
Would I be wrong in thinking that when at anchor for days, flexible panels mounted by Velcro on a Bimini could be easily moved on deck to get the best sunlight exposure (with extended wires) or even mounted on something like starboard which would make them almost like an rigid panel.

So how was the boat show ? Did you buy a controller ??

I was thinking about your setup while I was working on my boat the past few days. I don't know where you are buying your flexible panels but if they good quality ones they will be quite expensive.

It might be cheaper to use rigid panels and a s/s frame. The arch provides the front of the support. I did not need any welding on mine. The panel sits on two angle aluminum, 1 1/4" x 11/4" x 1/4". I sand blasted them and then clear coated. They sit on insulated washers (Gemini mounts) on 1" s/s tubing. There are places to buy the S/s fitting at fairly reasonable prices.
I wanted to replace the web straps on the bimini with s/s struts anyway so the additional cost for a frame to mount the panel above the bimini was minimal.

I know what you mean about trying to cover the boat with a panel up there. It is a concern. Are you using a boat cover or tarps ? I found tarps from a marine chandlery were better proportioned to cover a boat than tarps from CTC or PA.

Bob

 

[Genesis V]

Well I did get to the boat show this past weekend and went on the search for a good charge controller unfortunately I couldn't find one of the brands that were recommended to me, just inadequate cheapos and a few lower amperage Blue Sky's. One exhibiter did sell Morningstar, Outback, Midnite Solar and Blue Sky but didn't have any at the show. Although I'm leaning towards the MorningStar 45amp MPPT, with the remote display and tax I'm looking at $763.88 CAD plus the cost of the panels plus the canvas and SS. Metal work that will be necessary. So for now I may just pick up the TriStar 60amp PWM offered to me at $120 CAD and download the software from Morningstar that allows me to access the controller through my computer or iPad for programming and access to data and graphs.

I did however pick up the panels at the boat-show, I got the dealer to bring them there for me. They are made in China but I know three other boaters that have these panels and are very happy with them. They tested well. The company that manufactures them apparently contracts to the Chinese government.

I have been thinking about how to install them on my Bimini I have concerns that the sewing of Velcro and holes for wires will cause the Bimini to leak. So my plan is to take the panels to the canvas maker and get him to mount them on a separate canvas using the Velcro method that's the size, quality and colour of my existing Bimini, then install a zipper around the outer edge that zips right on top of the Bimini. Any leakage will runoff the original layer below and the space between will provide an area for the wires to be routed to anywhere I wish to bring them out and down. In addition at the end of the season I'll just have to zip off the top canvas, folding up the panels in place for storage under a bunk.

Sounds good to me but I'm sure there are holes in my plan, if you see any let me know I'm open to ideas.

 

[Genesis V]

Yeah Bob I am sort of committed to the flexible panels at this time but down the road I will be looking to add one or two additional panels using stainless steel tubing as you suggested. How do the panels hold up in high winds, post some pictures on the forum or profile or on your website I'd love to take a look at it.

I have been using tarps from Home Depot our princess auto, Chandleries here don't have many large tarps and if they do usually sell out very early.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Yeah Bob I am sort of committed to the flexible panels at this time but down the road I will be looking to add one or two additional panels using stainless steel tubing as you suggested. How do the panels hold up in high winds, post some pictures on the forum or profile or on your website I'd love to take a look at it.

I have been using tarps from Home Depot our princess auto, Chandleries here don't have many large tarps and if they do usually sell out very early.

I'll try to get some pics up this week. I used the 1" s/s fittings but I drilled them and used pop privets to make it much stronger and avoid welding. I could weld them with a mig or tig but this way it is easy to take apart if it ever needs to be. I don't intend to remove the solar panel for the hurricane season !

The Chandlery in Ottawa has good boat tarps at a reasonable price every fall. They are rectangular to properly fit a boat. A very good company to deal with. As long as they are in business we will never have a WM in town, checkem out,
http://thechandleryonline.com
I'll let you know when I get some pics of the frame in the album, Bob

 

[seadaddler]

16

Post 16 has pictures of mounting solar
got a go I am racing today
Nick

 

[Scott B]

Well I did get to the boat show this past weekend and went on the search for a good charge controller unfortunately I couldn't find one of the brands that were recommended to me, just inadequate cheapos and a few lower amperage Blue Sky's. One exhibiter did sell Morningstar, Outback, Midnite Solar and Blue Sky but didn't have any at the show. Although I'm leaning towards the MorningStar 45amp MPPT, with the remote display and tax I'm looking at $763.88 CAD plus the cost of the panels plus the canvas and SS. Metal work that will be necessary. So for now I may just pick up the TriStar 60amp PWM offered to me at $120 CAD and download the software from Morningstar that allows me to access the controller through my computer or iPad for programming and access to data and graphs.

I did however pick up the panels at the boat-show, I got the dealer to bring them there for me. They are made in China but I know three other boaters that have these panels and are very happy with them. They tested well. The company that manufactures them apparently contracts to the Chinese government.

I have been thinking about how to install them on my Bimini I have concerns that the sewing of Velcro and holes for wires will cause the Bimini to leak. So my plan is to take the panels to the canvas maker and get him to mount them on a separate canvas using the Velcro method that's the size, quality and colour of my existing Bimini, then install a zipper around the outer edge that zips right on top of the Bimini. Any leakage will runoff the original layer below and the space between will provide an area for the wires to be routed to anywhere I wish to bring them out and down. In addition at the end of the season I'll just have to zip off the top canvas, folding up the panels in place for storage under a bunk.

Sounds good to me but I'm sure there are holes in my plan, if you see any let me know I'm open to ideas.

We were at the show last Sunday and again yesterday. Who did you get the panels from. I saw Watt Mobile panels at Marine Outfitters booth and talked with the manufacturer of the Watt panels ( from Quebec ). Also looked at the SAW Technology booth, but the flex panels were only 100 watts.

Marine Outfitters have the EP Solar MPPT controllers but I do not know their reputation.


I would take your panels and bimini to JT Tops in Midland. I've had them do some repairs for me and have been happy with their service. They're open Sat am, in the spring summer, not sure of their winter hours.

 

[Genesis V]

Got the panels from SAW Tech. Yes they are 100w ea. By the way for you Canadians, I guess you know by now that West Marine is pulling out of Canada. I saw this coming as there was hardly anyone in their stores and last summer they jacked up the prices by 20-30%. Target also closing all it stores only after 2 years.