|
|
Post by sabre on Jul 28, 2023 14:35:43 GMT 12
I am wanting to mount solar panels to the port and starboard pushpits that can fold up and down so wondering if anyone has come across any purpose built systems?
I can certainly make something up using other rail mount systems if need be but with my "to do" list still being quite long a "plug and play" system write now would be the ducks nuts..
|
|
|
|
Post by Fogg on Jul 28, 2023 16:22:35 GMT 12
Yup. My friend did this on his Salar 40.
I’ll get pics.
Panels mounted onto aluminium frames.
Hinged onto the rail.
Custom built adjustable S/S rods to elevate into position.
|
|
|
|
Post by sabre on Jul 28, 2023 17:28:25 GMT 12
Thanks Fogg would appreciate that 👍
|
|
|
|
Post by fish on Jul 28, 2023 19:19:27 GMT 12
I'm interested in this too.
Wanting to solve a solar panel location problem, for when we have a summer, you know, with actual sun and stuff.
|
|
|
|
Post by ComfortZone on Jul 29, 2023 10:25:07 GMT 12
here are some shots of my installation. I had the pushpit extended to accommodate the panels and other requirements the panels, 1 on each side, are 110W, 1100 x 550. The fabricator did not follow my design correctly, there was supposed to be a 40mm gap between the top of the frame and the where the top rail lies, to allow hand grip on the handrail. His also omitting this meant the securing bolts could not go thru fully, he welded nuts on the inside, so when I came to drop these over the rail of course they would not fit and I had to bend the curved part out to fit them. Make sure the adjustable props are well secured, I have left 2 lower sections behind, one in Tongatapu harbour the other at Opua marina      |
|
|
|
Post by sabre on Jul 29, 2023 11:39:08 GMT 12
Thanks CZ that looks nice and simple. I have ordered pipe and fittings to extend my pushpit forward. I think about 80w per side will fit on my much smaller boat.
Will make a mental note to carry extra props/stays 👍
|
|
|
|
Post by ComfortZone on Jul 29, 2023 18:14:14 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by sabre on Jul 29, 2023 19:10:33 GMT 12
Yeah I have been reading about that. I actually have two epever mppt controllers on hand. The only spanner in the works is that my battery is 24v so now trying to get my head around what I need panel wise. Sounds like you can use 12v panels but not as efficient. Need to look into it a bit more.. |
|
|
|
Post by sabre on Jul 29, 2023 19:49:20 GMT 12
Current thinking (subject to change) is two 12v panels on each side wired in series. Should work and will give me a wider selection of panels.
|
|
|
|
Post by ComfortZone on Jul 29, 2023 21:13:41 GMT 12
Current thinking (subject to change) is two 12v panels on each side wired in series. Should work and will give me a wider selection of panels. yes, you will have to have 2 panels in series for 24V |
|
|
|
Post by fish on Jul 29, 2023 21:21:17 GMT 12
There is a random thing with solar controllers. You can go with panels of higher wattage than the controller's rated amperage. I think by 25%.
I first read about this on a Victron technical paper. I think I've seen it for other brands as well. I think you wont / can't get more than 10 amps out of the controller, bit you can have bigger panels going in. The logic is that you very rarely get the full power out of a panel, due to sun angle, shading and deteriation of panel performance. The controllers have sufficient redundancy and safety features to tolerate an amount of excess wattage from time to time. This means you can optimise your panels to capture more sun / watts on the shoulder periods of the day, on the basis that you can't get more than the controllers rated wattage at the peak time (which hardly ever occurs.
I was looking at putting on a new 15a Victron controller, and technically that would have limited me to 180 watt panels. There are a lot of panels on the market at 200 watt, so far more choice and generally a better price point. Turns out that going slightly over is perfectly acceptable for the Victron controller, and likely the same for the Epevers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fogg on Jul 29, 2023 21:43:24 GMT 12
For those reasons go for volts rather than amps ie rig in series not parallel. You’ll end up getting more juice into the batts because you get more time above the minimum voltage threshold for effective charging to happen.
|
|
|
|
Post by sabre on Jul 29, 2023 22:22:38 GMT 12
Hey CZ have you bought from this crowd? They look much cheaper than anywhere else.. |
|
|
|
Post by ComfortZone on Jul 29, 2023 22:35:21 GMT 12
Hey CZ have you bought from this crowd? They look much cheaper than anywhere else.. nope, just saw them in a search for the controller. Last one I bough came from AA Solar, bought in a hurry for installer rather than on price |
|
|
|
Post by ComfortZone on Jul 29, 2023 22:48:15 GMT 12
There is a random thing with solar controllers. You can go with panels of higher wattage than the controller's rated amperage. I think by 25%. I first read about this on a Victron technical paper. I think I've seen it for other brands as well. I think you wont / can't get more than 10 amps out of the controller, bit you can have bigger panels going in. The logic is that you very rarely get the full power out of a panel, due to sun angle, shading and deteriation of panel performance. The controllers have sufficient redundancy and safety features to tolerate an amount of excess wattage from time to time. This means you can optimise your panels to capture more sun / watts on the shoulder periods of the day, on the basis that you can't get more than the controllers rated wattage at the peak time (which hardly ever occurs. I was looking at putting on a new 15a Victron controller, and technically that would have limited me to 180 watt panels. There are a lot of panels on the market at 200 watt, so far more choice and generally a better price point. Turns out that going slightly over is perfectly acceptable for the Victron controller, and likely the same for the Epevers. The Epever manual states, in the best Chinese-English If the maximum power of PV array exceeds the rated charging power of the controller too much, it will not only cause the waste of PV modules but also increase the open circuit voltage of the PV array due to the influence of environmental temperature which may make the probability of damage to the controller ariseEpever 10amp controller rated for Max PV array power 195W/12V, so you would probably get away with this for a 200W panel. Not sure if there is any real benefit going down this road as against using a 20amp controller I have thought about upgrading my 110's to 200's but the only concern is the size of the latter, 1500 x 670, just about the size of a door! |
|
