To support my board batteries when off shore power I installed one of those flexible solar Photo-Flex 100W panels with a 30A controller (GP-PWM-30 digital pulse width modulated technology. The installation and wiring was straight forward.
I put the panel on top of the bimini, strapped it at the time just with bungee cords. Placed the controller inside beside the fuse panels and wired from the controller to the solar panel with 12 gauge marine cable. Through the outside I shared for the cable an existing port, installed before for the starter/charging cable of my outboard motor.
I connected the output of the controller directly to the incoming, 4 gauge cable for the 12V fuse/distribution panel. This helps to reduce volt droppings since the directions of current are opposite.
If for example my refrigerator runs and say would pull 3.5A and the solar controller would feed also 3.5A into the same point where the fridge is connected too, no current flows, no losses on that cable to the batteries. There would be twice losses when I had put an extra wire to the battery.
I am quite satisfied with the result of the solar power. After everything was set in use 5.7A were seen under a cloud free sky. That will surely not always be that good but being in Florida helps here a little.
I put the panel on top of the bimini, strapped it at the time just with bungee cords. Placed the controller inside beside the fuse panels and wired from the controller to the solar panel with 12 gauge marine cable. Through the outside I shared for the cable an existing port, installed before for the starter/charging cable of my outboard motor.
I connected the output of the controller directly to the incoming, 4 gauge cable for the 12V fuse/distribution panel. This helps to reduce volt droppings since the directions of current are opposite.
If for example my refrigerator runs and say would pull 3.5A and the solar controller would feed also 3.5A into the same point where the fridge is connected too, no current flows, no losses on that cable to the batteries. There would be twice losses when I had put an extra wire to the battery.
I am quite satisfied with the result of the solar power. After everything was set in use 5.7A were seen under a cloud free sky. That will surely not always be that good but being in Florida helps here a little.
