I agree with Lee's Comments, my own comments on lettered questions are below.
In addition, 100 W of solar panels will provide only 1/4-1/2 of the power
needed to run a fridge, depending on size and efficiency of the fridge.
Lee Haefele
----- Original Message -----
From: Lee
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 7:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Liveaboard] Electrical systems install
Hi John,
One thing that I would be concerned with your setup is the Morningstar
6amp controller. I have a morning star 30, I don't know what the amperage is
for this unit, but I did select it so that I could add additional panels if I
wanted to. You might take a look at the rating vs. solar panels and the
controller. I have two 80 watt panels (8-9 amps in full sun) and I can add
twice that to my system. I also have 440 amp hrs battery bank that really
needs more solar panels to maintain it running a 12v refrig 24/7.
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John
Christensen
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 6:42 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Liveaboard] Electrical systems install
Dear list I am helping a friend install solar panels and wind generator and a
new alternator. We have a plan but I would like to ask you if it sounds like a
GOOD plan.
1 The house bank is 430 amp hours (4 6volt golf cart batteries) they are in
the port cockpit locker and a starting battery is in starboard
2 The wind generator WINDBUGGER is mounted on the mizzen with a 8 gauge wire.
It is 30 ft to the comp. It goes to a 50 amp diode to another 25 amp breaker to
the NC25A Charge controller. From the charge controller to the house batteries
there is an additional 25 amp breaker. (This is according to the diagram that
came with the Charge controller).
3 Instead of the 1-2-both-off rotary switch we have installed a dual circuit
battery switch (on-off-combine) made by blue seas, as well as a battery
combiner (called a automatic charge controller)
4 Instead of running the 100 amp alternator to the common post on the old
rotary switch, we put it to the house bank
> I have this same arrangement, I am going to install a 250A fuse on the
house + batt terminal.
Our questions are:
A. We have a 40 amp multi stage charger for 110 where do we put the battery
charger wires?
>Directly on the batteries, with one exception. If you have a battery
monitor system, (Highly recommended) there is a shunt on the negative
battery wire, NOTHING ELSE connects to the battery minus terminal. All
connections go to the non battery side of the shunt. Not sure of fuse
recommendations for batt chargers, most have internal fuses, but this does
leave the wire run unprotected.
B. Is it correct that the wire from the wind generator goes to the house bank?
> Sounds good with the circuit breakers or fuse mandatory.
C. The two 50w solar panels are lead to another charge controller (a
Morningstar 6amp) and then straight to the House bank is that correct?
> Good, but with fuses or breakers on both sides of the controller, also a
disconnect
>switch between controller and battery.
D. Is there a problem with charging from 3 sources, can anyone of the units
burn out (mainly we are worried about the solar panels) because of the power
coming from the other charging sources
>Power from the charging sources will not be a problem. BUT, If one unit
fails, there
>will be available about 1000 amps from the battery, which is the reason for
fuses and
>disconnects. The solar panels usually have bypass diodes, if these short
out (2 of 5
>did on a batch of Evergreen brand panels I bought) power from the battery
will start the
>solar panel wires on fire, if not correctly fused. (It did this on my
friend's fuseless boat)
>The solar controller will not let current flow back into the solar panels,
unless it fails.
>Newer solar panels have integral diodes that do not allow backwards current
either.
>The Bypass diode, which is there only for series`panel wiring is the failure
danger.
Lee Haefele
This is how far we have come. Man there are so much to think about and
neither of us are electricians so thanks so much for the input
Regards John Miami
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