Solar Charge Controller Question

[04PatsSox]

The background information: We have a Catalina 30 Mk I and recently converted it to an electric drive (love it, wish we had done it sooner). The 10 Kw drive requires a 48 v battery bank (4 group 31 AGM 105 Ah batteries) for that purpose. The house power requirements are provided by a 12 Volt battery bank (two GC2 190 Ah 6 Volt batteries). The boats previous owner installed a 350 watt solar array (two 175 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panels) with a Blue Sea Systems 12 Volt solar charge controller (also handles the output from our wind turbine) connected to the 12 Volt house bank.

The main question: Recently found out that Renogy makes a 36V/48V Rover Boost 10A MPPT Solar Charge Controller. Is it possible to place a selector switch (A-Off-B) on the output cable from the panels and be able to select which solar charge controller processes the energy?

 

[DArcy]

You might be better off getting a 12V to 48V DC to DC charger

Sterling Power USA

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Or you may be able to find a 48V to 12V DC to DC charger then charge the 48V bank with solar.

 

[04PatsSox]

I have considered that solution, but it seems that compared to charging from the charge controller, charging DC to DC would be too inefficient. Additionally, the possibility of a second solar charge controller is less expensive ($169 compared to $449). I'm still leaning toward the two charge controller option, but am open to DC to DC charger as a plan B. Thanks for the input.

 

[Maine Sail]

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[rgranger]

The background information: We have a Catalina 30 Mk I and recently converted it to an electric drive (love it, wish we had done it sooner).

Very cool. I would love to see a write up on what you did.

 

[Bob J.]

I also have an electric sailboat, majority of boost controllers will not fullfill your needs. IMHO best thing you can do is upgrade your panels to a higher voltage, at least 24V. I connected the solar controller outlet to a transfer switch that is connected to each battery bank. I can pick & choose which bank to charge by simply changing the charging parameters of the controller.

 

[DArcy]

I understand cost constraints. I would bet any loss in efficiency from the DC to DC converter would be less than manually switching banks.

 

[heritage]

I agree with what DArcy said. I think you will find it difficult to manually switch from bank to bank at the optimum time to avoid the solar controller reducing its output. With a B to B charger both banks can be topped off without any wasted solar energy.

 

[Hello Below]

Renogy is rated "Average" with 3.6 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Renogy's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 5,672 customers have already said.

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I’m not saying that Renogy manufactures top of the line products but give me a break Trustpilot. It seems that only folks that provide reviews to their website are those with negative experiences. Here is a short list of ratings for some well known companies:

B&G: 4.2
Victron Energy: 3.1
Raymarine: 3.1
Subura: 2.7
Tesla Motors: 2.2
Honda: 2.1
Cuisinart: 2.0
Renogy: 1.9
Sun Power: 1.9
Garmin: 1.7
General Motors: 1.3
Lenovo: 1.3

 

[MikeHoncho]

How big is your propulsion bank? If I'm reading it right you would like to charge it off of two 175-watt panels? Seems like the return on the work/expense wouldn't justify the means assuming the bank is large enough for propulsion.