[Rhodes22-list] Solar Panel Installation on Rhodes 22

[Jim Connolly]

I have BP Solar/Solarex MSX 10 lite panels I bought on clearance, because
they were discontinued and dirt cheap.  I was told they were the same as
Stan was using in the early 2000's. They sure look like the pictures on the
web site.  Spec sheet lists open circuit voltage of 21.1 volts.

I can't test right now, they are still under a tarp with most of a foot of
snow remaining, although it should be gone over the weekent with temps into
the 50's.

Jim Connolly 
s/v Inisheer
'85 recycled '02

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of David Culp
Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 6:15 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Panel Installation on Rhodes 22

I have some questions for anyone who may happen to know:
I have two solar panels permanently installed on the cabin top of my 1998
Rhodes.  They are blue in color and so far, have worked very well.  My first
question is does anyone have the same panels from GBI and know the
manufacturer and specs?  I can always ask Stan, but hopefully he is busy
selling boats right now.

I have two batteries.  One up front and one in the laz both run through a
nice battery sel/cutoff switch.   I had a battery go bad this year and
replaced both of mine with matching 24 series deep-cycle batteries.  I
assume that we have an unregulated system as I can't find a regulator
anywhere, can anyone confirm?

When my batteries were removed on a full sunlight afternoon, my volt/ohm
meter was showing me 18 volts coming from the panels which I think is pretty
good.  When I wire in the batteries then I start reading their voltages
which are 12.5 on each.  I assume that this is normal even though the panels
are indicating 18 volts?

I don't think anything is wrong because my system was working fine and the 2
year battery lasted exactly two years.  I just wanted to check with the list
as this is my first experience with solar panels; so any information anyone
has is appreciated.

Thanks,
David Culp
__________________________________________________
To subscribe/unsubscribe or for help with using the mailing list go to
http://www.rhodes22.org/list
__________________________________________________