32xx -Adding Solar power

[[email protected]]

Adding solar power to extend our time at anchor without needing to fire up engines to recharge batteries (we are without genset and would like to stay that way) has been on the todo list since day 1…..finally got there today.
Added a single 200W rigid solar panel (just don’t see flexible panels surviving 10 years, where rigids go 20) with a 30amp (oversized to allow more panels if driven that way) MPPT charge controller to feed our 440 AH house bank, with an ACR tie in to the starter battery.
- panel mounted to handrail on hard top extension over aft deck
- 10awg cable run thru watertight gland, down inside hard top support column
- feeds a on/off manual battery switch, then charge controller and swings to 8 awg for 12v run to (30A)fuse at battery terminal.

real estate is getting pretty scarce on portside engine bay, so I installed the charge controller just past the centerline, on backside of the deck support that carries the hydraulic steering reservoir (had to get the wifey to climb in and hold it for me - she fits in the smallest spaces!)

Install is pretty clean; don’t expect to access anything on a routine basis - my previous solar experience was very care free.

Headed out for a week tomorrow - will be very interesting to observe the impact we get in BC waters.

[[email protected]]

Well the run sucked, but solar power is awesome!
- only going from Campbell River to Nanaimo, but the wind came up on the nose as we were passing Hornby isld, and by the time we cleared the southern tip, everything was flying inside the boat, so we bailed and pulled into Ford Cove around 2pm.
- sloshed about at anchor waiting for waves to die the rest of the day - used microwave, charged ipad & 2 iPhones, used inverter to watch a movie plus was running fridge.

9:20 pm, and we’re at 100% SOC (12.7v), with solar panel still pumping a couple amps in…. panel is obviously keeping up with our load so far

[Offline38]

One of my favorite things to do when stepping on the boat is to look at state of charge and see full batteries after being away for a few days ( even a few rainy cloudy days as well ) and the Ben & Jerry's is still rock hard in the freezer!

[[email protected]]

Have always been afraid to leave fridge on at dock, lose AC, and come back to dead batteries - thinking that’s the past!

[cappy]

Just before our trip to desolation sound, I installed two 100 watt panels on the hardtop of our 3270 and wired them to the two house batteries. OUr plan was to split the 35 days evenly between marinas and anchoring/buoys,, and actually acomplished that...Anyway,,, my intention for the panels was to replace the amps that the refer took when away from marina power. Generator use was minimal,. The panels kept up mostly, so Im thinking they were a good investment of time and money.

[Flyboy III]

I installed a 200 watt panel on the bow of my '38. Very pleased with it. And I can simply unplug it and store it inside when in our covered marina, I mount it with bungee cords between the OEM rails. Now, to find a small enough wind generator that will work at night...

[[email protected]]

Talk with others in your area before buying a wind generator - they are very expensive vs power provided, plus can be noisy & vibration prone.
IMHO, you’d be better off increasing your solar.

[Milo8]

The best installation I have seen is on the You Tube Channel "My Boat My Life". He installed flexible panels in front of the windshield on the cabin trunk. They can be walked on and are installed with 3M adhesive tape. Sunbeam Solar, they have a distributer in Maine. This location works for him as he has a 5x100ma battery bank under the floor in front of the head. A great location in a ass heavy 3288. He is from Sweden and is a creative DIY'er a good watch for his adventures too.