Leaving boat unattended with solar

[rlg]

Is it OK to leave a boat with panels charging when there is no load on for extended periods? Like a month? I have 300 watts and 400 amp hr agm bank on my 40 ft monohull. My mppt 20 amp charger has worked flawlessly so far.

Thanks, Rob

[DDabs]

The MPPT charge controller should protect you from overcharging

[Stu Jackson]

Why not? That's the whole idea.

[Franziska]

Works without problems for me.Even over the winter...

www.ladyrover.jimdo.com

[maxingout]

Worked for me with a charge controller.

[barnakiel]

We do it every day for a couple of hours. If you add up these hours it has been years.

If your worry does not let you sleep, you can apply an overvoltage off solenoid in the line before the controler.

b.

[rlg]

Thanks all. I thought so.
Nice to be sure.

[zeehag]

no load--you mean to say you have no bilge pump on automatic????
nothing on at all??
not even the panel light??
nothing??
i bet you have something that uses electricity that you donot realize .....

[rlg]

The automatic bilge is on, nothing else. My boat doesnt leak so I cant see that draw mattering at all.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by zeehag

(...)

I bet you have something that uses electricity that you do not realize ...

(...)

HA HA HA !!! I am in Canary Islands and I owe you a beer. I think it is not the first one. You should sail in!

like some mppt THE SOLAR REGULATORS do ... yr battery monitor another often overlooked suspect ... fire alarm ... entry alarm ... battery fans ... battery "equalizing" device ...

Love,
b.

[zeehag]

even automaticity of bilge pumps uses electricity.

barny whenye coming to mexico?? i got a lotta work to do on my pooooor birdeeee.....

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by rlg

The automatic bilge is on, nothing else. My boat doesnt leak so I cant see that draw mattering at all.

Hmmm...guess it's not appropriate to mention S happens?

Good luck, it'll work just fine. In fact, Maine Sail has been recommending for years that folks on moorings (i.e., not docks) use solar to assure their expensive batteries stay charged. Undercharging is sure death.

Think anyone listens?

All the best.

[Yong SC]

I think it is always good to make sure all the wiring etc are ok before u leave for an extended time. Else u may find a dead battery when u return (worse if the bilge pump is out of action).

[mikecambrai]

Do make sure that you have a fuse in the line from the solars to the battery. At the output from the MPPT is probably the best place.

[Bulawayo]

Do it all the time....with over 1000 watts.