Solar Mount on Stern Rail

[RW Sailor]

sweet setups that are around out there... I'm impressed.
gonna go and have a look at the available fittings in the store again next week, todays visit at WM was not quite as succesfull as I hoped...

[RW Sailor]

Thanks again for all the inspiration, I got the mount pretty much sorted, the friendly man who is setting up the bimini at the moment helps me out with some nicefittings to bridge the gap and get ready for mounting.
Also I got myself a nice MPPT charge controller with 30 amps for the 2 panels of 80Watts each, so that is all sorted.
The thing I do not know yet: What size wire is common to be used in an installation like that and where do you put what sized fuses?
I was thinking to run one cable from Panel A to Panel B (about 12 feet) and then one wire from the second panel down to the charge controller (about 4 feet) and then another 3 feet to the batteries. So what wire do people use for what part and where do the fuses go?
Thank you all so much already!
Manuel

[DefinitelyMe]

Nothing smaller than #8. It's important to keep the run lengths down (as it appears you are doing) to a minimum and use the biggest wires that are practical, particularly from the charge controller to the batteries. This is to minimise voltage drop.

When you say that you're going to run a wire from panel A to panel B, do you mean that they will be connected in series? If so, that's fine (in fact it's better, as the high voltage will decrease resistance) but make sure that your charge controller can handle the doubled input voltage.

[RW Sailor]

The charge Controller I am using is this one here:
MPPT Tracer 2215RN EP Solar Charge Controller Regulators 20A
And I was actually planning to put the panels in Parallel, since from what I understand this way it does not have such a big impact if one of them is partially shaded (which can easily happen on a sailboat...)

[DefinitelyMe]

Sounds good!

[roverhi]

Installed Kyocera 130 watt panels on my pushpin rails. Pushpit was too short to put the 50" plus long panels on so had the rails extended by a welder. The welder sleeved the joint where the tubing was added, and welded in new tubing. You can't tell where the join was made. Used pieces of the old rail to add athwart boat bracing. Used plastic rail clamps to attach to the rail and wooden sticks to extend the panels out. Has worked fine on a TransPac to Hawaii, sailing around SF Bay and here in Hawaii.

One negative is they do stick out. You'll want to be sure to pull the support rod and fold them flat when maneuvering in tight spaces. Have nearly crunched mine a couple of times when I forgot. Currently in a Med. Moor situation without finger piers in my current marina. Neighbor boats have asked me not to deploy the panels for fear they will crunch them getting in and out of there slips. That's not a problem as the folded down panels produce more than enough juice to maintain the batteries but something to consider if you anticipate a Med. Moor situation.

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

rw sailor,
here is a pic for you.

there is some sexy stainless!

That's a nice looking mount. What kind is it?


I've been looking at getting a stantion mount from e-marine inc. for the sides since my stern rail is curved and maybe more difficult to mount.

[Stu Jackson]

Another idea:

Solar 101 (by Maine Sail) Installing A Small Marine Solar System Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

[endoftheroad]

Rhapsody,
It is a photo from Compass Marine.
Contact Maine Sail for information.
And buy from him to support his website.

endoftheroad

[RW Sailor]

So the installation is almost completed the only thing that riddles me: do people connect anything to the load terminals? Battery and solar panel are obvious, but load? Was thinking about hooking the DC panel up bit that is wired via the battery anyways, right?
How did you guys do that?
Thanks already

[DefinitelyMe]

Normally the only things connected to the batteries are solar panels, possibly a positive for an automatic bilge pump and a large cable to a switch. Your DC panel, engine etc. runs through this switch, that way you can isolate the entire electrical system by turning off this one switch. Some people also wire their panels through this switch, but in my opinion that just adds more resistance, which means greater voltage drop, and is not necessary. Does that answer your question at all?

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody-NS27

I've been looking at getting a stantion mount from e-marine inc. for the sides since my stern rail is curved and maybe more difficult to mount.

Another idea on a theme, some more photos in my forum album

Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Pete7's Album: Photos - Picture

[RW Sailor]

Originally Posted by DefinitelyMe

Normally the only things connected to the batteries are solar panels, possibly a positive for an automatic bilge pump and a large cable to a switch. Your DC panel, engine etc. runs through this switch, that way you can isolate the entire electrical system by turning off this one switch. Some people also wire their panels through this switch, but in my opinion that just adds more resistance, which means greater voltage drop, and is not necessary. Does that answer your question at all?

That's a usefull piece of information, but doesn't really answer my question. The way I have it hooked up now the panels are on the charge controller (Panel connection) the battery is on the charge controller as well (battery connection) but there is the third connection on the charge controller for additional users I guess that should be powered right off the solar. Does it make any sense to hook the DC Panel to that!? Or just leave it free?

[RW Sailor]

Alright, it's all set up and working great! Batteries are charged already and I'm super happy with the setup! Thank you guys for all the great suggestions and input!!! Pictures will follow as soon as I have a camera around ;-)

[endoftheroad]

Looking foward to the pics.
And its a good thing you keeping this thread complete.

Thanks