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Post by Bora on Oct 13, 2017 11:25:03 GMT
Thats the next thing to look at....either enough power to heat the water or a solar heat exchanger.
Does anyone have a way to monitor the temp in the calorifier so that the engine isn't run for any longer than necessary?
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Post by vasko on Oct 13, 2017 11:32:18 GMT
Price of kit looks great ! - the hard panels ( 2 x120w) that I have are Bosh - got them about 3-4 years ago ...really regret that I did not try to fit 2x200w ... for semi flex I'm quite happy with Lensun and do not plan to change to a different brand to be honest... - Lensun also has non-black model - the Lensun panel material and cover is far better then competitors... the only other viable option for solars is to get a solar film (333v) and sew it on the sail - as part of the sail.. - not a difficult thing at all ...
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Post by vasko on Oct 13, 2017 11:38:04 GMT
Thats the next thing to look at....either enough power to heat the water or a solar heat exchanger. Does anyone have a way to monitor the temp in the calorifier so that the engine isn't run for any longer than necessary? if you have space do not save from solars - bigger are way better ! - if you have space for 600W don't ever put 300W - anyway it is personal choice and anyone should breack the wall with his own head re: controller sizing - 40amps MMPT can handle up-to 520W max - just mul or div to get your correct size - better have amps to spare.. monioring temp in calorifier si tricky as good calorifiers are designed to heat the top of teh tank first e.g. get hot water 15min after starting the engine...
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Post by MalcolmP on Oct 13, 2017 11:56:15 GMT
Thats the next thing to look at....either enough power to heat the water or a solar heat exchanger. That Bimble site is an interesting resource, thanks for the link I had not see it before and need to replace my too cheap delaminating photonic universe panels next season. They also have some kit for water heating from excess solar loads www.bimblesolar.com/extras/dumpload
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Post by Bora on Oct 13, 2017 13:36:49 GMT
Thats the next thing to look at....either enough power to heat the water or a solar heat exchanger. That Bimble site is an interesting resource, thanks for the link I had not see it before and need to replace my too cheap delaminating photonic universe panels next season. They also have some kit for water heating from excess solar loads www.bimblesolar.com/extras/dumploadBimble put me in touch with the manufacturers of the SOLiC 200 which allow home owners to heat their water with the solar dump. I've asked what they think about using an inverter off the batteries with the SOLiC going to the water heater and a selector switch to choose between the solar dump power or the shore power connection.
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Post by Bora on Oct 13, 2017 13:44:23 GMT
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Post by ianpowolny on Oct 13, 2017 22:32:07 GMT
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Post by vasko on Oct 14, 2017 4:02:45 GMT
very good price and quality ! I'm tempted to change my 2x120w bosh with this ones just need to find space on my arch for 2x320w LG
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Post by ianpowolny on Oct 14, 2017 6:33:50 GMT
OkmVasko, once I speak to CCL on Monday I'll add my thoughts here. I'll ask how many we need to buy to get a discount. Ian
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Post by MalcolmP on Oct 14, 2017 7:08:22 GMT
OkmVasko, once I speak to CCL on Monday I'll add my thoughts here. I'll ask how many we need to buy to get a discount. Ian Ian I might be interested in one as well.
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Post by vasko on Oct 14, 2017 9:11:47 GMT
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Post by Bora on Oct 14, 2017 9:18:12 GMT
very good price and quality ! I'm tempted to change my 2x120w bosh with this ones just need to find space on my arch for 2x320w LG I’m just up in Inverness, can either drive down or get them delivered.
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Post by ianpowolny on Oct 16, 2017 10:36:29 GMT
Vasko / Findhorn / Malcolm, I just spoke to Steve Armstrong from CCL. He only has the 320w LG panels available. If we want the larger panels we'd have to order a full container load. I think that's a bit much!!! . I have the full technical specification here but not sure how best to add a pdf to a thread. (Help Malcolm) I asked for a discount but as we plan to use the panels on yachts the price is £190.94 + VAT - that's £229.13 We need to figure out delivery but I'm sure CCL can help there. I also asked about MPPTs and below are the recommendations for 1 or 2 panel set up from CCL's stock. 1 panel system: www.cclcomponents.com/victron-bluesolar-mppt-charge-controller-100-30-12-24v-30a2 panel system: www.cclcomponents.com/victron-bluesolar-mppt-charge-controller-100-50-12-24v-50aI know Victron Blue Solar are good but I want the functionality and marine specification of the Voltronic system. If you guys or any others would let me know what you'd like to do I can speak with Steve. Ian
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Post by vasko on Oct 16, 2017 15:47:06 GMT
Ian,
I will be down to my boat in France this weekend and will measure if I can fit 2 x LG panel ( my guess is that I can't but if by any chance I'm able to - I will be very happy to buy two of them.. )
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Post by Bora on Oct 16, 2017 21:34:25 GMT
I’m in. I’ll make them fit!!
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Post by vasko on Oct 21, 2017 6:44:42 GMT
too big for myarch cannot fit it - willcontinue with my previouse plan to fit another 1x100 and 1x60 lensun under the boom... in addition to what I have already..
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Post by Bora on Feb 27, 2018 21:25:59 GMT
Any suggestions on an SO37 on where to mount the MPPT for the Solar and the HRDi for the turbine? I was thinking in one of the port cabin lockers but want to avoid taking up locker space if I can.
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Post by Bora on Mar 8, 2018 12:31:00 GMT
Just had a thought from one of Ian's other posts......would the output from the solar panels and wind turbine be better connected to the same charge divider as the alternator so that both batteries would be topped up at all times?
Or is it better (safer?) to have the solar and wind charging cables go direct to the house batteries?
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Post by ianpowolny on Mar 8, 2018 17:22:30 GMT
Findhorn,
For me the standard system is sacrosanct and not to be altered. Solar and wind are 'nice to have' but when all else fails I want to start the engine with no complications so no compromise with that basic system.
Ian
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Post by Bora on Mar 8, 2018 18:43:22 GMT
It wouldn’t alter anything in the system, just where the connections go. Really just thinking if the boat has been left and the start battery has been left drawing power then at least the solar/wind would help keep it topped up till the engine is started again and the alternator does the work. The alternator would stay connected of course to charge through the charge divider when the engine is running.
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Post by iancymru on Mar 9, 2018 11:56:49 GMT
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Post by Len on Apr 6, 2018 23:06:31 GMT
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Post by vasko on Apr 7, 2018 7:40:09 GMT
Just ge LiFePo4 for starter as I’ve done and stop worry about self discharge...
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Post by NZL50505 on Apr 10, 2018 1:20:38 GMT
2 x 140W I think. German (can't remember make). Can remember they were very not cheap. Replacement for old knackered panels and needed new regulator to enable full juice to flow.
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Post by ianpowolny on Jun 15, 2018 12:15:32 GMT
Well finally it’s done.
We completed installing the solar panel this morning. It seems to working fine but will need to go to anchor to check. In the end I’m glad we employed a local sparky to finish off the installation as we didn’t have enough MC4 connectors. He managed to salvage 2 from a double to single y piece connector and the also use soldier to make sure of the connection. I had all the cables (6mm2) ready including the one through the arch. It took him 90 minutes to complete the job. We feel €100 well spent.
That’s us with a single 315w panel, 4 x 142aH house batteries, 1 x 110aH starter battery all connect through a Votronic humidity specific MPPT.
We plan to buy a double induction hob in August when we are home for a few weeks. No 3kw inverter yet until we get used to what we have. The tv one is only 300w.
Ian
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