Solar panel installation suggestions

seadaddler · Dec 12, 2016

There is a place in Miami Fl. that had real prices on Solar Panels and other
parts for setting up solar and so told the wife I would take her to South Beach and stopped off to pickup Panels.
I 'll see if I can find info on the name and I went with 2 as big as I could get and wound up getting 2 -190 watt panels and they a few years back had different deals every month.
Nick

jeff356 · Dec 12, 2016

Nick,
Have a 356 with the same arch setup and was thinking of doing the same install, looks nice and two panels look to fit on either side the the sighting window in the Bimini. Question on getting the wires through the arch, was it an issue, especially at arch to deck connection? Wife also wants davits so another option for another panel.
Also did you mount the controller in your port side stern locker or in the lazaret?
Thanks,
Jeff
s/v LegaSea
2003 Hunter 356
Middle River MD

seadaddler · Dec 12, 2016

I drilled into the arch slowly with many different drills and on the port side where the arch is bolted look for the wires from the speakers and light that come out of I think forward arch mounting.
I did move my batteries from the port cockpit lazerate to down below and have Gen in same port lazerate and was too much weight,I am guessing you could put the charge controller in the port lazerate for shorter wire runs to your batteries where the controller gets wired to if your batteries are in that area.
My controller is under the nav station and also have remote for my Blue Sky controller.
With the solar I do use the Gen a lot less and do run a lot of 12 volt draw when out cruising.
I went with 2 -190 watt panels and did not want the panels on my Davits,I keep my 8hp outboard on my dinghy most always when cruising and did not want any more weight on Davits plus I use a engine hoist for the outboard and I think another panel would just make the install too much and would not want the panel getting damaged.
Most my sailor friends go either 1 big panel or 2 big panels and bigger is better to allow for any shading or less sun per day.
2 panels fit perfectly and still allow some viewing in window in Bimini.
Nick

splax · Dec 12, 2016

thinwater said:
2 x 190w = 25 amps, with the additional requirements of very low voltage drop. That's some big wire. I've got 1/2 capacity, a shorter run, and used #10. This probably #6 or possibly #4. Including the insulation, that's 1/4" OD, single strand.

Remember that as the voltage drops towards ~13-13.5 your available charging voltage differential drops like a rock.

thinwater,
I would be very interested in the actual charging current you measure, the panel wattage is the short circuit capacity, not the loaded capacity...

Jeff,
I sailed out of the Maryland Marina on Middle River. That's a good spot.

BayMan · Dec 13, 2016

On these issues : can anyone suggest a good solar DIY guide to walk someone through all of what is required?

Jeff Jellick · Dec 13, 2016

BayMan said:
On these issues : can anyone suggest a good solar DIY guide to walk someone through all of what is required?

Bay Ma,
When we added solar panels (and the new SS Arch) to our 2006 Hunter 45 CC, I used "Northern Arizona Wind and Sun" https://www.solar-electric.com/. They have a great website and a Forum section where you can ask questions and get advice, and recommendations. We ended up using 3 Kyocera 135 watt solar panels, a Midnite Solar Array Combiner, A blue Sky Charge Controller, and a IPN Remote at the Nav. Station. They also supplied the wiring and cables compatible with the Kyocera Solar Panels, to run from the panels to the combiner box, As I was ner to solar the best feature of their web site was the forum, where you could ask questions pertaining to your specific installation, and get answers that made sense, (at least to me) I have posted a few photos of the completed project on this thread. If I can help you out, let me know.
Jeff

jeff356 · Dec 14, 2016

seadaddler said:
I drilled into the arch slowly with many different drills and on the port side where the arch is bolted look for the wires from the speakers and light that come out of I think forward arch mounting.
I did move my batteries from the port cockpit lazerate to down below and have Gen in same port lazerate and was too much weight,I am guessing you could put the charge controller in the port lazerate for shorter wire runs to your batteries where the controller gets wired to if your batteries are in that area.
My controller is under the nav station and also have remote for my Blue Sky controller.
With the solar I do use the Gen a lot less and do run a lot of 12 volt draw when out cruising.
I went with 2 -190 watt panels and did not want the panels on my Davits,I keep my 8hp outboard on my dinghy most always when cruising and did not want any more weight on Davits plus I use a engine hoist for the outboard and I think another panel would just make the install too much and would not want the panel getting damaged.
Most my sailor friends go either 1 big panel or 2 big panels and bigger is better to allow for any shading or less sun per day.
2 panels fit perfectly and still allow some viewing in window in Bimini.
Nick

Nick,
Funny how one thing leads to another on a boat, especially when looking to upgrade a system not just an item.
I too have a generator in the port lazaret along with a set of 31 AGM's and have a slight port side list. I want to upgrade to a larger battery system, possibly make up of 4 6 volt batteries for the bank and would want to relocate to starboard to counter the listing. Just curious if you relocated your bank to under the aft cabin behind the water heater or possibly hull side on the dinette?
Jeff

seadaddler · Dec 14, 2016

I put my 4-6 volt batteries under the salon table starboard seat and was able to use
the stock battery cables that was used to go to the port cockpit.
Try looking at Jim Seamans web site,he did a lot of upgrades to his 356 JAVA
sorry to say Jim passed away this year but pretty sure his site is still available.
Ayesail.net

MrSteve007 · Dec 25, 2016

On my 326, I've been extremely pleased with a light weight Soliban branded flexible solar panel that uses an optional zipper style attachment system that's sewn into the Bimini fabric. The panel cost a pretty penny, but I saved quite a bit not having to worry about mounting hardware or clearances. The panel gives me 8 amps in full sun.

Steverhnm · Jan 1, 2017

I added two 50W panels on my Sea Hood. Wiring was easy to route through the head. It was a quick way to utilize unused space and add some solar without major structural additions Made the mounts myself with some aluminum from Home Depot. Best PV only charger is a Morningstar Sunsaver with remote display. Allows charging and monitoring of two banks of batteries, a three-stage charge algorithm and periodic equalization. It also allows you to divide output equally or 90%-10% which is great for maintaining a house bank and starting bank of batteries. You might argue that shading will reduce output but the shading in this location is so diffused due to distance it is minor.

Steverhnm · Jan 1, 2017

thinwater said:
2 x 190w = 25 amps, with the additional requirements of very low voltage drop. That's some big wire. I've got 1/2 capacity, a shorter run, and used #10. This probably #6 or possibly #4. Including the insulation, that's 1/4" OD, single strand.

You don't have to use giant wire, you can use multiple wires in parallel of smaller gauge for easier wire management. Best place to buy wire is "Greg's Marine Wire" online.

jssailem · Jan 1, 2017

Steve what's with the aluminum foil on the traveler?

SFS · Jan 1, 2017

He could tell you, but then he'd have to kill you.

jssailem · Jan 1, 2017

SF you have a funnny side. Is this a 2017 thing?

jssailem · Jan 1, 2017

RWSlater said:
Protects the boat from aliens

Did to want to start the year out being presumptive. It is right their with the solar panel. So... possible....

Steverhnm · Jan 1, 2017

Haha, you guys are too funny. It keeps the voices in my head at bay..... No really, I keep the boat in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, west coast of mainland Mexico. It may spend several months on the hard in the sun, especially in the hot summers. So until I can get around to canvasing the entire boat (which I am working on with my Sailrite LSZ-1 sewing machine) we typically cover all plastic items, blocks, etc with aluminum foil as the sun can be brutal. I put two layers of automotive reflective bubble wrap under the Sunbrella on my window covers and my boat never gets past 90 inside during the summers. I know that because I have a datalogger in there....

Some day in the near future I hope to spend more time with the boat, but until then I will be happy to get 2-3 trips a year. Better than nothing, and when I get more free time the boat will be ready for more fun than work. In the meantime I spend a lot of time working on projects for the boat from afar... making up kits to do things when I get there. That's why many times you hear me asking about measurements, to which everyone has been a big help.

jssailem · Jan 1, 2017

Thanks for clearing that up. Would have kept my up all night.

Have a great 2017 Steve. Hope you are sailing more than working on the boat. Though I know I enjoy both

Solar panel installation suggestions

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John