solar charging system during haulout

S

Slipin Away

.
Jun 14, 2007
175
Hunter 45cc Florida
I am going to haul my boat for 6 months. During that time, how should the solar charging system be left. My system consists of 3 panels each having their own controller. Covering the panels is not on option. Should the panels be:
1. All panels left on
2. All panels left off via removing the fuses.
3. Leave one panel and controller on to maintain charge on batteries
 
D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,744
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Depends on the batteries and loads. It is fine to leave a panel on to float the batteries if they are lead acid. If you have LFP batteries, then no, leave the panels off and put the batteries in their storage mode.
 
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dLj

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,268
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
dlochner said:
Depends on the batteries and loads. It is fine to leave a panel on to float the batteries if they are lead acid. If you have LFP batteries, then no, leave the panels off and put the batteries in their storage mode.
Click to expand
Interesting. I have LFP's and my electrical installed said to leave my panel (I only have one) on with the controller. I'll be back down at my boat next week and will see how things faired over the winter. I have no idea how to put my batteries in storage mode?

dj
 
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C

colemj

.
Jul 13, 2004
478
Dolphin Catamaran Dolphin 460 Mystic, CT
The only thing you need to do is to set your controllers to the voltage you want for maintaining the batteries. A good choice is 13.2V which floats lead batteries without losing electrolyte or sulfating, and drains LFP batteries to ~50% and keeps them there. Good storage modes for both types of batteries. That way the batteries can run bilge pumps or anything else like a router or cameras that you want active while you are gone.

Mark
 
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D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,744
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
dLj said:
I have no idea how to put my batteries in storage mode?
Click to expand
My Kilovault LFP batteries have a storage mode. It is available on the BT app.

When I left my boat in Brunswick Landing Marina for a couple of months this winter I left the solar panels on and left the router and AIS on.
 
dLj

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,268
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
dlochner said:
My Kilovault LFP batteries have a storage mode. It is available on the BT app.

When I left my boat in Brunswick Landing Marina for a couple of months this winter I left the solar panels on and left the router and AIS on.
Click to expand
I have Battleborn LFP's - I don't know about a storage mode. I'll have to look into that. I left a few small things on in the boat, will see how it worked. I certainly hope well...

dj
 
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