SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION

[Mikwallace]

Source of the post Weekend went very well! I have a 3500 watt inverter with a 5000 watt surge. Never had an issue with batteries. To keep it honest, I ran the genset for 35 minutes each afternoon, but had the battery charger shut off. Batteries in AM were at 80%. I used a Kurig coffeemaker in the AM, after 3 cups of coffee on inverter, batteries were at 70%. before noon, they were back at 100%, where they stayed all day. The Admiral used the TV. For that I have a simple 100 watt inverter plugged into a 12V outlet. I consider the investment a total success as we can spend quite a few days away with minimal genset use.

With the 3500w inverter, do you have it where 1 air conditioner would operate? Just thinking about hot days in the south and the ability to cool the salon at anchor w/o genny. I don’t have my boat yet, but know it would be nice if possible. A 16,000 btu unit pulls 11 amp average and probably a lot less after it starts.

Your thoughts?

[tonyiiiafl]

I don’t see how an inverter can run an AC unless the battery bank is HUGE and the array even bigger. A genset would be required to run an AC unit.

[Midnightsun]

I would not even attempt to run AC as it draws way too much. It would work fine for an hour or 2 and then what do you do with no juice left in the house bank except run the genny for 5 hours to put back what you used in 2. Does not make much sense does it?

[Mikwallace]

Source of the post I would not even attempt to run AC as it draws way too much. It would work fine for an hour or 2 and then what do you do with no juice left in the house bank except run the genny for 5 hours to put back what you used in 2. Does not make much sense does it?

Just trying to figure out how to keep salon cool while at anchor and swimming, but not running genny while in the water swimming. Guess it’ll just be genny management; get salon cool while enroute to favorite swimming hole; turn off genny: swim; let fans stir the air and stay wet! Solar panels should keep house batteries charged while anchored and running fans? The solar panels on my RV do a pretty good job and keep my batts charged while dry camping so I’m sure this will be similar.
Thanks! Learning curve in progress!

[Mikwallace]

Source of the post I don’t see how an inverter can run an AC unless the battery bank is HUGE and the array even bigger. A genset would be required to run an AC unit.

Tony,

How many house batteries are connected to your solar array?
Do you have other house batteries not connected to your solar?

Or maybe a better question is: how is your DC system setup?

Different but kinda same; I have six 6v house batteries on my RV DC system and they are charged either with 1. Engine 2. Generator 3. Solar Panel or 4. Pedestal power when in an RV Park

There’s only 3 house batteries on the boat that we will Survey next week and I’m not completely sure how they’re setup?

As I’ve said I’m just trying to stay ahead of the learning curve!

Great discussion, I’m learning a lot from you guys!

[g36]

Not sure where you'll be boating but Tennessee summers you'll find the boat will be hot as crap no matter if you try and cool it down before your destination. You nenntioned your rv. The boat can end up being setup much the same with solar and house bank, not sure of your type but a good 6v golf cart battery bank can provide a good amount of energy for inverter and whatever else. I have 6 and no solar generally running my dish and tv stuff, icerrette icemaker and chillipad over night when anchored an only run genset in the evening and morning for ac and cooking. Air-conditioned on an inverter isn't feasible as that 11 amps ac would be around 120 amps DC. = dead batteries pretty quick.

[Midnightsun]

Source of the post

Source of the post I would not even attempt to run AC as it draws way too much. It would work fine for an hour or 2 and then what do you do with no juice left in the house bank except run the genny for 5 hours to put back what you used in 2. Does not make much sense does it?

Just trying to figure out how to keep salon cool while at anchor and swimming, but not running genny while in the water swimming. Guess it’ll just be genny management; get salon cool while enroute to favorite swimming hole; turn off genny: swim; let fans stir the air and stay wet! Solar panels should keep house batteries charged while anchored and running fans? The solar panels on my RV do a pretty good job and keep my batts charged while dry camping so I’m sure this will be similar.
Thanks! Learning curve in progress!

You will be fine running fans and other stuff on board assuming you have a decent house bank. The most power consumption does come from the fridge(s). Key is to have plenty of house bank AH's available and a charger/solar panels that can recharge quickly.

I had dual L16 batteries (big 6v batteries) just last week with a total of 435 rated AH. Being they are standard lead acid only half of those AH are useable and the last 15% of the topping off charge takes forever to top off so basically I ended up with about 200ah to use as I pleased.

I have now finished installing a rather powerful 600AH Lithium house bank complete with 80A dedicated charger. This gives me about 550 usable AH not to mention charging happens much quicker than lead acid right up to 100%.

Not everyone needs this however we tend to stay on the hook for 2-4 days at a time and the house bank does have quite a demand put on it. We do run the genny for meals which also tops off the hot water and precious house bank juice. When not running the genny, the solar array helps quite a bit assuming its a nice day that is. Every ones needs are different, just need to set yourself up for what you need according to your boating habits.

Will be posting some pictures of the final install probably this weekend. Not all that difficult however boy oh boy was that time consuming.

[tonyiiiafl]

Te three batteries are one for genset, one for position 1, one for position 2. You will see if you want to charge both batteries at same time the selector switch will need to be on both. At least on my 390. I have right now 2 6V GF batteries hooked in series. I am adding another bank of same this winter. Running fans, fridge, toilet etc will be fine and my 400 watt system keeps up with it well.

[Mikwallace]

Source of the post Not sure where you'll be boating but Tennessee summers you'll find the boat will be hot as crap no matter if you try and cool it down before your destination. You nenntioned your rv. The boat can end up being setup much the same with solar and house bank, not sure of your type but a good 6v golf cart battery bank can provide a good amount of energy for inverter and whatever else. I have 6 and no solar generally running my dish and tv stuff, icerrette icemaker and chillipad over night when anchored an only run genset in the evening and morning for ac and cooking. Air-conditioned on an inverter isn't feasible as that 11 amps ac would be around 120 amps DC. = dead batteries pretty quick.

We’ll be two locks downstream of you on Lake Guntersville. This is only our 3rd season here. It gets pretty warm on the river if there’s zero wind. In the past we just find a wide spot in the river and drop anchor for an hour or so, take a dip, then move on. We could cruise at 45 mph and get around fairly easy. But with the 405 I can see our habits changing quickly! It’ll just take some adjusting.

I can see solar panels, inverter in my future. I’m not sure what kind of house batteries are onboard now, but my AGM house batts in the RV have served me well. A fellow RV’r just replaced his lead-acid with lithiums. Required a charger upgrade as his charge/inverter wouldn’t charge lithiums. So, I guess that’s another consideration.

[Mikwallace]

Source of the post

Source of the post

Source of the post I would not even attempt to run AC as …………….. Does not make much sense does it?

Just trying to figure out how to keep salon cool while at anchor and ……………… The solar panels on my RV do a pretty good job and keep my batts charged while dry camping so I’m sure this will be similar.
Thanks! Learning curve in progress!

You will be fine running fans and other stuff on board assuming you have a decent house ……………….

Will be posting some pictures of the final install probably this weekend. Not all that difficult however boy oh boy was that time consuming.

Yes, please post some pictures!