[Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell Replacement/Charger

Lowe, Rob rlowe at vt.edu
Mon Jul 23 15:18:50 EDT 2012


And these things are not very big.  Probably a quarter inch in diameter by a half inch (for the body itself) at this power rating.  Might even be covered with electrical tape and not be visible. - rob

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of R22RumRunner at aol.com
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 2:26 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell Replacement/Charger

_http://www.google.com/search?q=diode&hl=en&prmd=imvnsr&tbm=isch&tbo=u&sourc
e=univ&sa=X&ei=CpcNUO7GCdK7hAeQsoHoCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CG8QsAQ&biw=1175&bih=740_
(http://www.google.com/search?q=diode&hl=en&prmd=imvnsr&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source
=univ&sa=X&ei=CpcNUO7GCdK7hAeQsoHoCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CG8QsAQ&biw=1175&bih=740) 
 
 
In a message dated 7/23/2012 2:20:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, blue66corvette at hotmail.com writes:


Rummy
What does the diode look  like?

Chas


> From: R22RumRunner at aol.com
> Date:  Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:54:57 -0400
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
>  Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell Replacement/Charger
> 
>  Charles,
> If the solar panels are factory installed, they did not come  with the 
> charge controller, but probably have a diode somewhere along  the line 
> to prevent the batteries from discharging. Diodes have zero  
> resistance to
electrical 
> passage in one direction, but high  resistance in the opposite. Solar 
> panels generate electricity when  it's sunny out, but they can also
discharge the 
> battery during times  of cloudiness or darkness, hence the need for a
diode 
> or controller.  My boat came with one solar panel and the diode was 
> installed next to  the water tank under the v-berth mounted against 
> the
flotation 
>  wall.
> If I were still using a solar panel I would install the charge
controller 
> to prevent over charging which can easily destroy a  battery(s).
> 
> Rummy
> 
> 
> In a message  dated 7/23/2012 10:31:19 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
> rlowe at vt.edu  writes:
> 
> Charles,
> Not all solar panels and batteries  will have charger controllers. I 
> forgot what the rule of thumb is  (I'll look later) but it the wattage 
> of
the 
> panel does not exceed XX  of the battery amperage, no controller is
needed. So 
> don't assume you  have one. All the Rhodes boats that I can recall 
> having one was  either added by the owner or was related to shore 
> power. The
wires 
>  from the panels likely run to your battery located mid boat. Your laz  
> battery likely just goes to your motor, I assume you have electric
start? -  rob
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:  rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
>  [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Charles  
> Nieman
> Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 11:23 AM
> To: Rhodes  List
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell  Replacement/Charger
> 
> 
> AlLast year you posted that you  were going to replace your solar panels. 
I 
> have a 98 Rhodes and it  seems it is time to replace my solar panels. 
There 
> was discussion  about a controller to prevent overcharging the batteries. 
I 
> cannot  find where Stan installed a controller nor can I find the wire 
> coming  from the panels to the batteries.
> 
> I was wondering what you  found when you replaced your panels and how 
> you went about rerunning  the wiring. Did you use the old wire to pull 
> the
new 
> wire or did you  splice the new wire to the existing wire near the panel. 
> Where did  you mount the charge controller (I'm guessing that you
purchased and 
>  installed one)
> 
> Thanks in advance for the help.
>  
> Charles
> 98R22
> s/v Daydream
> 
> 
>  > From: al_shell at tampabay.rr.com
> > To:  rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> > Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2011 22:09:10  -0400
> > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell  Replacement/Charger
> > 
> > Bob,
> > Great to  hear. Thirty bucks not spent on a second charge controller 
> > stays  in the pocket. Well, until the next item on the project list!
> >  Thanks,
> > Al
> > Mishka 01
> > 
> > On  Wed, 2011-11-02 at 19:41 -0400, Bob Keller wrote:
> > >  Al,
> > > I have one for both. Have not had a problem since Rummy  & I
installed 
> it probably 8 years ago.
> > >  BK
> > > 
> > > 
> > > > From:  al_shell at tampabay.rr.com
> > > > To:  rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> > > > Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011  22:02:11 -0400
> > > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell  Replacement/Charger
> > > > 
> > > > Thanks all  for the great info. I'll check the panels this 
> > > > weekend
for
> > >  > the output voltage with a multimeter. I saw a charge controller 
> > > at
 
> West
> > > > Marine that fits the description of the  one below. Can one 
> > > > charge controller handle both GB  solar panels (parallel ?) to 
> > > > both
> batteries or
> > > >  do I need one charge controller per panel per battery? Either 
> > > > way,
>  $60
> > > > is not a bad deal to keep the batteries charged  properly.
> > > > 
> > > > Thanks again for the  great advice.
> > > > Al
> > > > Mishka  01
> > > > 
> > > > On Mon, 2011-10-31 at 15:41  -0400, Rick wrote:
> > > > > I second the need for a charge  controller. I found even a 3 
> > > > > watt
> charge at
> > > >  > the high voltage produced by the solar panel mid summer kills
the  
> battery.
> > > > > 
> > > > >  Just be sure when hooking the battery to the solar panel 
> > > > > circuit
> that  no
> > > > > charge is coming off the panel. A seat cushion  covering the
panel 
> assures
> > > > > the controller  correctly calibrates when hooked up to the
battery.
> > > >  >
> > > > > Rick
> > > > > 
>  > > > > On Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 10:34 AM,  <R22RumRunner at aol.com> wrote:
> > > > > 
> >  > > > > Al,
> > > > > > You definitely need a  charge controller. I helped Capt. 
> > > > > > Keller
> install one
> >  > > > > on his Rhodes. Prior to that he was going through  
> > batteries
on a 
> regular
> > > > > > basis. Now  with the controller they don't over charge or
> discharge when
>  > > > > > it's
> > > > > > cloudy. The  cheapest one is around thirty bucks and will
handle 
> panels up
>  > > > > > to 100 watts, or 7 amps.
> > > > >  > I would test the current solar cells to see if they are 
> > > > > still
>  functioning.
> > > > > > Newer cells might be more  efficient if yours are really old. 
> Size and
> > > >  > > output are all that matters. I'm sure Stan would be willing 
> > > > to
 
> help you
> > > > > > out, but
> > >  > > > there are other outlets. Solar panels for marine 
> > > installations
 
> have
> > > > > > connections that are built to  withstand the marine environment.
> > > > > >
>  > > > > > Rummy
> > > > > >
> >  > > > >
> > > > > > In a message dated  10/29/2011 9:32:40 P.M. Eastern Daylight
> Time,
> > > >  > > al_shell at tampabay.rr.com writes:
> > > > >  >
> > > > > > Hello All,
> > > > >  >
> > > > > > Mishka, our 2001 Rhodes, has been on her  trailer far too long.
> > > > > > Fortunately, I have had  the Rhodes list to keep me engaged! 
> > > > > > I
am 
> now
> > > >  > > working on her project list and have a target date of late
>  summer next
> > > > > > year to be sailing again.
>  > > > > >
> > > > > > I have many  questions but power and wiring are first on the
> list.
> >  > > > >
> > > > > > The solar panels have  been in the weather since we bought 
> > > > > > her
> from Stan
> > >  > > > and likely need to be replaced. I wonder if anyone can tell 
> > > me
 
> what
> > > > > > make/wattage the solar panels  are that Stan provides as
original
> > > > > > equipment.  And where they can be had. Does GB sell them? Cost? 
> Maybe
>  > > > > > they don't need to be replaced?
> > >  > > >
> > > > > > Also, has anyone had  experience with any solar cell
> charger/controllers
> > >  > > > on the market. I understand that they keep a battery better
> charged for
> > > > > > longer life.
>  > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks in  advance,
> > > > > >
> > > > > >  Al
> > > > > > s/v Mishka 01
> > > > >  >
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