[Rhodes22-list] Solar panels, regulator revisited

[Bob Keller]

Jay,
I think Rummy covered it pretty well, except that we did hook up the charge 
controller between both panels and both batteries.  I also purchased two new 
batteries (group 25, I think) of the same size.  Before I had one battery 
larger than the other and one newer than the other, (another General Boats 
design).  The factory panels are supposed to have diodes in them, but I feel 
better having the charge controller.  The batteries are still new so it's 
too soon to tell, but the charge on both has never varied.

As for the charge controller, I used the 7 amp controller, not the 21 amp.  
The 7 amp is only $29.99.
Bob K


>From: Jay Friedland <a.jayf at verizon.net>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: johntonjes at earthlink.net,The Rhodes 22 mail list 
><rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar panels, regulator revisited
>Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 07:59:14 -0400
>
>Michael, Rummy-
>Thanks for the input. Michael, are you saying permanent panels from factory 
>need a blocking diode? All my portable ones had one inline, but if the 
>regulator does both and better safe than surprised...we're among the few 
>places here that get unfiltered sunlight, sometimes tropical. Cooking 
>batteries have happened here.
>
>Rummy, I know batteries are currently hooked together, I have to find the 
>panel leads and how their joined together and I believe tapped into the 
>first. I thought they were 10A panels and the ICP 21 Amp controller was the 
>right unit at $89?? Let me know if I'm wrong on this. Thanks.
>Jay
>
>
>On Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 05:47 AM, John Tonjes wrote:
>
>>Jay,
>>In theory, what Michael said holds true. Unfortunately, the reality for
>>several owners has been that they fried their batteries when the sun 
>>really
>>is bright.
>>What we did with Bob Keller's boat was to have two custom battery cables
>>made to tie the two batteries together. They were around forty bucks for
>>the two six foot cables. We also installed an ICP battery charge 
>>controller
>>($30.00) between the solar panels and the batteries. Since doing this, 
>>both
>>batteries have the same charge/discharge rate and no problems with
>>overcharging. Based on this experience, this is a good ounce of prevention
>>for those that charge only with solar panels. It also prevents discharge 
>>on
>>cloudy days.
>>
>>Rummy
>>
>>
>>>[Original Message]
>>>From: Michael Meltzer <mjm at michaelmeltzer.com>
>>>To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>Date: 6/24/2003 10:08:16 PM
>>>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar panels, regulator revisited
>>>
>>>Jay, you have 2x10 watts panels(I assume), at battery voltage that's 1.47
>>amps, assuming two #27 batteries 100-115 amp-hours
>>>each(depend on type) wired in parallel mean 200-230 amp-hours, or the
>>solar charging is 1.47/200=.75% to 1.47/230=.639%, the rule of
>>>thumb is if the panels are below 1%-2% of the batteries they is no need
>>for regulation. Now a diode to stop overnight discharge is
>>>useful.
>>>
>>>Does that help.
>>>
>>>
>>>MJM
>>>
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: "Jay Friedland" <a.jayf at verizon.net>
>>>To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 9:50 PM
>>>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Solar panels, regulator revisited
>>>
>>>
>>>>Rummy, Bob Keller, et al,
>>>>
>>>>Last discussion I found wasn't conclusive-one ICP regulator per panel,
>>>>where to tap in etc. I have a 2 battery, 2 panel set-up and wondering
>>>>where to place it. As it is factory, I think it is parallel between
>>>>batteries, both sharing the panels.
>>>>
>>>>With no sun, cooking the batteries was no problem, but now we have back
>>>>to back sunny days. Any resolution??
>>>>Jay
>>>>
>>>>__________________________________________________
>>>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>
>>>
>>>__________________________________________________
>>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>
>>
>>
>>__________________________________________________
>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>
>
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list

_________________________________________________________________
Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*  
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail