Dual Battery Solar Charging

[blairv70]

Hi all

I am looking at hard wiring in a solar charging system to maintain and charge up the batteries when the boat is not in use.

I have found a regulator that looks pretty good - has dual battery charge and intelligent switching so it can swap between batteries when one is charged and the other is not up to voltage etc - here is the link: http://www.bsewa.com.au/leisure-prod...ontroller.html

I figure that I should be OK with running fixed cabling from the regulator to the batteries as I want this to be a more of a permanent system. the solar panel I am looking at is a 180W that will fit nicely on the top of the roof and I will put a quick connect plug on it to remove it when I head out.

Does anyone see any issues with this setup? I am assuming when the batteries are being charging from the engine that the solar regulator will be ok - I think most of the modern ones will block the current?

Here is a picture of what I an looking at setting up:
Dual Battery Solar.jpg

[Fed]

Assuming your batteries are fully charged when you get back from fishing you really only need a small (10W or so) solar panel to keep them topped up.

[scottar]

Unless you are looking to possibly fit another panel to the boat for extended trips, I would look at just having a 4 pin connector and leaving the regulator attached to the shed as well. One less electronic item exposed to salt water. Only thing you would want to check on is if the reg will be ok without batteries attached. If not you may need a switch in the supply from the panel. Fed is correct in saying you don't require such a large panel if it just for maintenance charging. In theory, every 12 or so watts is an amp - in practice due to efficency losses it works out a bit less.

[Yobbo70]

That will work fine, (I have a similar setup on my boat although a bit bigger , 300w panel 6 house, 2 start), the only thing you should add is isolators, one from the panel and one each to the batteries. A 180w panel is a pretty big panel if you only intend to "float" charge already charged batteries, but it will work

[blairv70]

That will work fine, (I have a similar setup on my boat although a bit bigger , 300w panel 6 house, 2 start), the only thing you should add is isolators, one from the panel and one each to the batteries. A 180w panel is a pretty big panel if you only intend to "float" charge already charged batteries, but it will work

Hi Yobbo yep i think 180W may be overkill fro top up charging - you mentioned isolators - with a smart regulator would there really be the need for them?

I plan to have the "charge" side permanently wired in with the solar side removable via a quick release plug but still unsure why the isolator switches?

Cheers

Blair

[Chris Lockett]

Hi Blair

Did you end up going with that duel battery regulator, I'm looking at getting a similar set up at the moment and was wondering how you went?

Cheers

Chris


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[blairv70]

Hi Blair

Did you end up going with that duel battery regulator, I'm looking at getting a similar set up at the moment and was wondering how you went?

Cheers

Chris


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Hey Chris

It is all working fine - I ended up with a 60W flexible panel which is ample for keeping the batteries topped up.

I have been using it for about 3-4 months now and is so far so good. Ended up putting an Anderson plug onto each end for quick removal.

New stage will be permanently wiring it it but for now when the boat is parked I put the panel on top of the Canopy and it will have the batteries up to charge within a day

Blair

[Chris Lockett]

Cheers mate thanks for the feedback!


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