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Solar panels

Discussion of batteries, chargers, wiring, generators, distribution panels, battery switches, etc.

Canada
darrenlife
First Mate
First Mate
Posts: 123
Joined: September 25th, 2018, 8:36 am
Vessel Info: 2002 Carver 410 Sport Sedan
Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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Re: Solar panels

Postby darrenlife » September 7th, 2020, 9:38 am

You will love the solar. I recently installed 3 x 110W panels in series with a Victron MPPT charge controller on my canvas. The panel are secured with magnets so no alterations to the canvas are necessary although you have the benefit of mounting to the top of your aft deck.

I like the Victron controller, has Bluetooth capability to keep an eye on things

https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-cha ... -30-100-50

For your inverter, do you have option to hardwire to your AC panel? I did this and was pretty straight forward, Just isolate the circuits you want inverter capability with a separate bus bar for your neutrals.

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United States of America
Capn Crunch
Deck Hand
Deck Hand
Posts: 72
Joined: August 30th, 2018, 9:23 pm
Vessel Info: 1995 Carver Santego 310
Crusader 350XL injected, Hurth Inboard
Location: On the Mighty Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest
Has thanked: 87 times
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Re: Solar panels

Postby Capn Crunch » October 24th, 2020, 11:10 pm

darrenlife wrote:Source of the post You will love the solar. I recently installed 3 x 110W panels in series with a Victron MPPT charge controller on my canvas. The panel are secured with magnets so no alterations to the canvas are necessary although you have the benefit of mounting to the top of your aft deck.

I like the Victron controller, has Bluetooth capability to keep an eye on things

https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-cha ... -30-100-50

For your inverter, do you have option to hardwire to your AC panel? I did this and was pretty straight forward, Just isolate the circuits you want inverter capability with a separate bus bar for your neutrals.


Playing catch-up here, our new to us recently obtained vesssel ('95 Carver 310 Santego) has only 2 batteries for starting and house total. No real room anywhere for more house batteries so this idea is of interest... is it possible to use solar panels as a source for an inverter?

If not, would they mitigate draw on a single battery used as house for things like electric head, salon/bridge lighting, radio and such.
Most everything we'd use otherwise would require AC - heater, coffee, electronics charging, and tv. Trying to find/rig safe place for portable gen/inverter for those items but would be handy to not have to worry about things like station wagon effect or in rough water genny getting tossed overboard.
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Canada
Midnightsun
CYO Supporter
CYO Supporter
Posts: 2980
Joined: March 27th, 2016, 2:27 pm
Vessel Info: The Midnight Sun
2007 41CMY
Volvo D6-370's
Location: Montreal, Canada
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Re: Solar panels

Postby Midnightsun » October 25th, 2020, 6:07 am

No it will not work so yes the lone house battery does the work which gets charged via solar. There is always a way to add batteries which is what you need to do. Start a new thread with the title regarding house bank addition to a 310 Santiago and someone will chime in.
Cheers, Hans
2007 Carver 41 CMY
Twin Volvo D6-370's
Montreal, Canada
Midnight Sun I Photos
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United States of America
Capn Crunch
Deck Hand
Deck Hand
Posts: 72
Joined: August 30th, 2018, 9:23 pm
Vessel Info: 1995 Carver Santego 310
Crusader 350XL injected, Hurth Inboard
Location: On the Mighty Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest
Has thanked: 87 times
Been thanked: 7 times

Re: Solar panels

Postby Capn Crunch » October 25th, 2020, 11:13 am

Midnightsun wrote:Source of the post No it will not work so yes the lone house battery does the work which gets charged via solar. There is always a way to add batteries which is what you need to do. Start a new thread with the title regarding house bank addition to a 310 Santiago and someone will chime in.

Thanks for the reply!

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