Simple SAILING boat SOLAR power INSTALLATION
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- Опубліковано 12 бер 2024
- Using a sturdy, lightweight, high efficiency panel is key. We install solar panels on our small yacht. Enough power for fridge and autopilot while sailing in the sunny Mediterranean. A good friend wanted a system for Atlantic Crossing on his boat and asked for our experience. Simple!
This video is for Paul setting up for an Atlantic Crossing in an identical, although 6 years younger, Southerly 115 Mk3. I chose the UNISUN 120.12 Back Contact PV Panel because of the size & weight ratio to power and its rigid frame. If you're watching out of intrigue then I hope you find it either useful or mildly entertaining. Prices and components are 2023 based. If I made mistakes I apologise, please comment kindly by way of informing and educating. Electricity hurts, maims and can kill. Fires from electrical installations sink boats too. I am not an electrician and advise anyone doing this to proceed with extreme caution and to employ the services of a qualified electrician if you are in any doubt. Not covered on video is the installation of an isolator between the parallel connectors and the MPPT. Uniteck panels (others are available) are supplied in the UK by TMS - link below.
Acknowledgments and links:
Victron: www.victronenergy.com/solar-c...
Unisun 120.12 BC Panel: www.uniteck.fr/en/photovoltai...
Unisun: uniteck.fr/en/kits/boating
TMS: www.technicalmarinesupplies.c...
E-Nav: www.e-navsystems.com/en/e-nav...
Solar Cable: prostereu.com/collections/sol...
Outmar NOA brackets: outmar.com/en/deck-hardware/
Marine Superstore Solar: www.marinesuperstore.com/batt...
Deck glands: indexmarine.com/product/se7_s...
I have no idea what I just watched, but watched it all and loved it!
😂 Sheenagh made it look like I had a clue what was going on but you can't kid a kidder eh 😉
JnSx
Good video 👍
Thank you! 😎
Not sure it's that interesting - we prefer sailing and exploring - but these jobs have to be done.
JnSx
First . Yippee.
Indeed you are! 😎
Nice work maybe you could paint the cable's coming from the panels to the transom so they don't stand out so much?
Let me think about that idea for a while . . . . so . . . I like the colour coding and because that stands out it's a warning not to do anything that may compromise the insulation. I'll keep the brush ready though, just in case 😉😉
Thanks for watching and and appreciating the work. JnSx
Hi Johnathan. Thank you for sharing the video. We are about to do the exact same thing this year. We're going to have a marine electrician install ours for us in the exact same location as you've installed yours. Can I ask what amps you get from the two panels? Also can I ask why you didn't install 2 × Victron MPPT controllers, so each panel had it's own controller. We're currently in the Mediterranean in Spain and have been for the pass two years. We'll be cruising up to the Balearics in May and then crossing to Sardinia, Corsica, mainland Italy into the SOF and back into Spain. You never know we may cross paths with Sheenah and yourself. Take care. Atb Daryl & Shirley.
Hi Daryl n Shirley, your cruising plan looks awesome! We may meet up and share some stories over a cup or three 🤞 if you head east to Montenegro? Re your questions: Recorded current push at best has been 158W at 18V = 8.8A, it may have been higher at some point and one record shows 790Wh in a day with Max power at 161W and 21.2V - this is from screenshots of the app on my phone. Obvs a clear day helps! Further, I think simplicity rules when managing boaty stuff, therefore two MPPT units would increase the cabling need from the panels, increase space used and reduction in my hairline! I opted for cost directed to the panels, not to cabling and controllers which, maybe, was foolish but the system gives us what we have needed so far. Thanks for asking very good questions and for watching our simple offering! Best wishes, fair winds and we hope we really can meet up.
Stay safe, enjoy cruising and hopefully you'll subscribe (if not already) and keep watching!!!!
JnS xx
you not doing your batteries justice connect the panels in series and you will be sitting on a good voltage on the cloudy days ,so in parallel your voltage will go down to 13.5 ,in series youd have 27 volts the controller you can set the charge voltage in the app it, do it automatic so deos,nt over charge and for lead batts 14.4 volts will always be available ,also the control will shut off once the panel voltage goes lower than batts voltage ,panels need to produce 1 volt above batts voltage ,so if your batts 13,5 volts and dark cloudy day panel is max at 14 volts the controller is shut off, that controller can handle 75volt/15amps fron panels
I agree with your thought process but, I have a concern with shading and the consequent loss of voltage?
I would do the same. Wire in series to increase the voltage. I have mine wired in series and it works a treat all year round to a 400ah lithium bank, through a victron mppt with and inverter
We've had a think and at some point will connect the panels in series and see what changes. Worth a try I guess. Thanks both for your help and info.
JnSx
@@sailingoptions we going into the summer it will be fine as is , just the couple of hours before dusk and after dawn you could harvest a few more amps ,all down to the amp current thats what your topping up ,imagine in morning and your current is 1 amp would take ten hours to get 10 amps of charge and a mobile phone or tablet charge will wipe that out the battery ,my panels could never produce that amount all day anyday cloudy or sunny december january or february ,not enough day light hours