Do turn your solar off while motoring?

[thinwater]

^^

a. You didn't notice because the controller was not reporting.
b. Your batteries were not as full before?


Could be a new problem. Or not.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by Lifeonalean

Hi all, I recently installed a solar array on my boat and have found that when motoring, my mppt controllers throw a “battery overload” warning. I asked the guy I bought my solar system from and he said I was supposed to install a switch between the panels and the controllers and I need to turn the solar off anytime I am motoring. I did a lot of research when I was doing the install and I don’t remember seeing anything about turning it off when motoring. Are charge controllers really not capable of dealing with other charge sources? Why does it seem to work fine when I am on shore power?

I have 4 x 140W panels with a controller for each pair, each pair going to one 8D Gel battery, and a Balmar MC-614 regulator; I never turn them off. Sounds like you need to get another dealer.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[toddster8]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Turning off the solar so the controller can't report an overvoltage is like putting a piece of black tape over your car's "check engine" light.

A previous owner of my 328i was more efficient: I discovered that he simply removed the bulb from the "check engine" light.

[Siberian Sea]

My charge controller isolates the panels as soon as the batteries reach the set voltage. I have mine at 14.2 volts. When I start the engine very quickly the alternator will achieve this and the charge controller will show my batteries at full charge and shut off the panels. You should not need to install a switch. Been doing this for years now with no problems.

[contrail]

Slight threaddrift....anyone need to turn off the controller when using HF radio, because of RF interference?

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by contrail

Slight threaddrift....anyone need to turn off the controller when using HF radio, because of RF interference?

Arg, yes ! My BlueSky 2512 also makes a nice (although weak) "open mic" signal on VHF channel 16.

[KP44]

It is no problem to leave the solar on, but I usually turn it off when motoring.
I have a step regulator and a 150 amp alternator and I just switch off the solar so it will not interfere.
I usually switch off solar when we are plugged into shore power. Same reason. But no problem to leave solar on.

[Mike OReilly]

Same … never shut my MPPT off. Have an alternator, windgen, and shore power charger. They all seem to play well together.

I’m far from an electrical expert, but shouldn’t 16v be impossible? Clearly something is screwy. Could it be a damaged battery?

[Triumphant]

My alternator is regulated at 14.0 Volts, my solars (350 watts) are regulated at 14.8 Volts so if I have both on when motoring the alternator shuts off as it thinks the voltage has been reached. I discovered this when the red light came on (thought the fan belt had gone) whilst motoring and I found the alternator was very cold and producing no amps, turned off the solar and things went back to normal.

I need the larger amount of amps from the alternator to top up my batteries so yes I turn the solars off when motoring otherwise I end up with undercharged batteries

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by contrail

Slight threaddrift....anyone need to turn off the controller when using HF radio, because of RF interference?

Originally Posted by senormechanico

Arg, yes ! My BlueSky 2512 also makes a nice (although weak) "open mic" signal on VHF channel 16.

Yes, strong high pitched whine from my Blue Sky 3000i, but only on 6209. No VHF interference.

I have a breaker to shut off the panels in a convenient location, and its only a problem on this frequency, so no biggee....except its a frequency I use. [emoji849]

Blue Sky was nice enough to send me ferrites at no charge, but that didnt fix the problem.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Same … never shut my MPPT off. Have an alternator, windgen, and shore power charger. They all seem to play well together.

I’m far from an electrical expert, but shouldn’t 16v be impossible? Clearly something is screwy. Could it be a damaged battery?

No, a malfunctioning alternator regulator can cause 16V output.

[Compass790]

I"m no electrical expert but we shut our alternator off once it reaches its voltage setpoint via a field wire switch & let the solar do the work as why add the load to the motor when the solar can handle it? Whilst the panels are putting out sufficient of course.
But the PWM solar controller stays on all the time as again it "helps" the alternator to get to it's setpoint faster.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by toddster8

A previous owner of my 328i was more efficient: I discovered that he simply removed the bulb from the "check engine" light.

Of course some vehicle check engine lights are just a ruse. My good old '89 Jeep XJ's was literally connected to a cheap plastic clock timer mechanism...old school, plastic gears and all. Served no purpose except to ensure a periodic visit to the dealer, where they reset the timer, and extracted money.

[KP44]

Originally Posted by contrail

Slight threaddrift....anyone need to turn off the controller when using HF radio, because of RF interference?

Good topic.

Some LEDs can also create RF interference. I check every new device - including solar controller.

[Ardbeg]

I never turn off my solar except if I was to plug in to shore power for some reason. 500 W on the bimini for 9 years.