Fantastic job thoroughly and quickly covering all of that. Even with a (stale) degree in electronics, I've been a bit behind the curve in how to add additional batteries (lithium), an inverter, and solar to my 35 yr old sailboat's electrical system. Thank you.
cool video, but im confused when you said that the electricity can be used straight from the solar panel. do you have the batteries charging from the load outputs on the charge controller or is it set up as normal? im interested in knowing exactly what you mean as its something id be keen to do. cheers
The solar charge controllers put out up to 14v for the batteries. That all connects at the terminal so the loads can be powered directly before it goes to the batteries if that's quicker.
Great vid! Very helpful. What would you say you spent on all electric wiring? And what resource did you use to determine what gauges to use? Sorry, I missed how much total watts you have for panels, how much do you have? Thanks!
@@Adventureman_Dan Ok then. The bigger but not openly expressed question was how. I've been pondering different options how to do that. But haven't been able to figure out best or good enough ways to do it. Albeit there are good options but there is not enough space for panels in our boat. It would be nice to have a very small B2B trickle charger to charge the starter from LFPs. But for example the one that is often recommended is by manufacturers recommendations only for doing lead acid to lead acid. I'm considering to install a separate small MPPT-charge controller for starter and then have a on/off/on double switch with to choose to change one of the smallest panels to charge the starter when we are not in the boat or not using shore connected power supplies. But I still would like to ask how you have done it.
Great video however just because the 12v buss is closer to your switch panel than the battery doesn’t mean the solar electricity goes to the panel first. The solar electricity will go to everything that is connected equally.
Great video. Great explainer. I’m now curious if I could build something like this at home. Second thing: You have 3 dead links in your description. Homepage and one of your Amazon links and also the most important one, Patreon!!!
Hey man love the work you did there, I'm making a solar powered boat as well but without batteries just power straight to the motor. Hoping to cover upwards of 60kms a day at least, if you have time I'd love to talk to ya for some guidance. I'm happy to send you some beers or something for your time
There is some risk in linking devices directly to the solar, before the batteries and the amperage varies with sun and clouds, and that variation can damage electrical components. It is best to protect the cables where they pass through bulkhead holes, to avoid damage to the cables due to movement of the boat.
what guage wire did you use from the charge controllers to the battery? They looked a little thin for the amperage they would push at full noonday sun.
Is that extreme large arch or bimini with the solar panel not affecting the actual sailing ? I mean if the bolt is keeling it creates additional drag ?
@@Adventureman_Dan Cool. I really like the size of that contraption! I don't yet have a sailboat it's in my 5 years plan to get one. With that solar size I assume you never have to run the engine just for the alternator. I also looks like you have a rig line going through there as well is it banging / causing wear & tear?
Great vid! Why do you have 2 MPPT controllers?
Splits the loads and gives me a back up incase one fails.
Fantastic job thoroughly and quickly covering all of that. Even with a (stale) degree in electronics, I've been a bit behind the curve in how to add additional batteries (lithium), an inverter, and solar to my 35 yr old sailboat's electrical system. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have 2000 wats on my motorhome and it only works some days not much when cloude days ,dont work at night ,, only works on ☀ ☀ days
Thanks for your comment!
Yeah, cool 😎
Will be breaking this all down. You go beyond the call of duty. Really appreciate your info. Will check out your channel
PEACE
Steven
cool video, but im confused when you said that the electricity can be used straight from the solar panel. do you have the batteries charging from the load outputs on the charge controller or is it set up as normal? im interested in knowing exactly what you mean as its something id be keen to do. cheers
The solar charge controllers put out up to 14v for the batteries. That all connects at the terminal so the loads can be powered directly before it goes to the batteries if that's quicker.
Just found you, unquestionable the best and clear explanation on solar power and harvesting same for AC. Can not wait to watch more of your content
Awesome, thank you!
Great vid! Very helpful. What would you say you spent on all electric wiring? And what resource did you use to determine what gauges to use? Sorry, I missed how much total watts you have for panels, how much do you have? Thanks!
For specific questions like this. Check out my Patreon. Cheers. :)
Where did you learn so much about electrics?
By doing. It's the way every sailor learns! :)
Could you talk about how much you are Actually producing and how much you're spending? Would be nice to See those stats.
Do you mean $ or W's?
@@Adventureman_Dan I primarily meant electricity consumption ( kwh spend on a typical day), although talking about money would be a nice extra.
Do you some way trickle charge the starter battery if you are for some reason not using your engine for some time?
Yes, definitely!
@@Adventureman_Dan Ok then. The bigger but not openly expressed question was how.
I've been pondering different options how to do that. But haven't been able to figure out best or good enough ways to do it. Albeit there are good options but there is not enough space for panels in our boat.
It would be nice to have a very small B2B trickle charger to charge the starter from LFPs. But for example the one that is often recommended is by manufacturers recommendations only for doing lead acid to lead acid.
I'm considering to install a separate small MPPT-charge controller for starter and then have a on/off/on double switch with to choose to change one of the smallest panels to charge the starter when we are not in the boat or not using shore connected power supplies.
But I still would like to ask how you have done it.
Thank you very much for putting this one together for us! Very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video however just because the 12v buss is closer to your switch panel than the battery doesn’t mean the solar electricity goes to the panel first. The solar electricity will go to everything that is connected equally.
True.
Watching from Land locked Edmonton Alberta
In this video, I was land locked. :) Get back to the water buddy. :)
Great video. Great explainer. I’m now curious if I could build something like this at home.
Second thing:
You have 3 dead links in your description. Homepage and one of your Amazon links and also the most important one, Patreon!!!
Absolutely! I would if I was land based.
Oh shoot, thanks man!
If you keep the LifePO4 inline with the alternator, you need a DC-DC converter, or you can burn up the alternator by over working it.
Yes I know. But I can just turn on set off and reduce the load.
Hi, what do you mean by a bus? What is this bus component that you have on the wall of your engine room? Would you please attach a link to it?
It's a central connection point for several electrical lines with a switch.
Hey man love the work you did there,
I'm making a solar powered boat as well but without batteries just power straight to the motor. Hoping to cover upwards of 60kms a day at least, if you have time I'd love to talk to ya for some guidance. I'm happy to send you some beers or something for your time
Killer man that sounds great!
Yeah buddy, get on my patreon and let's chat a chat through there.
There is some risk in linking devices directly to the solar, before the batteries and the amperage varies with sun and clouds, and that variation can damage electrical components.
It is best to protect the cables where they pass through bulkhead holes, to avoid damage to the cables due to movement of the boat.
That's why I have the two 50A fuses before they get to the solar charge controllers.
what guage wire did you use from the charge controllers to the battery? They looked a little thin for the amperage they would push at full noonday sun.
I don't know the proper gauge, but it's the regulated size required by the MPPT's.
Very helpful! Now I understand why my trawler has solar straight to the panel.
Glad it helped!
Great explanation. I bet you’ll agree, Solar marine applications is quite the engineering feat…Great job, my brother
Yeah Hey buddy thanks for the video ,I learned a lot from you ,now I know what I need to do for sure.
Glad it could help. :)
Thanks for the content, learning all of this now!b
My pleasure!
Did you teach your self all this ? Really Great video thank you.
Yes quite a bit. But I've also had a lot of help from other people giving me pointers. I learned best from having mentors.
Very helpful video. Thank you very much!
Great! :)
The clearest explanation I’ve found!
Glad it was helpful!
Water maker and solar! off the grid ready 👊👊
Oh yeah it's all coming together now.
You explained very well and clear.......
Glad you liked it.
Very thorough explanation Dan. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. You can install mine. 😆
Hahaha, I'll get right on that.
keep up the good work,thanks for the vid
Thanks, will do!
Awesome content. Thanks!
Glad you liked it!
Great DYI video!
Thank you! 😊
The simple, well done explanation that I've been looking for.
Glad it helped!
Fantastic! Thank you!!!
You're very welcome!
Good explanation
Thanks for liking
Well done, Dan! We have solar on the boat, and on the house! Go sun!
Nice! It feels good to be powered by the sun!
Is that extreme large arch or bimini with the solar panel not affecting the actual sailing ? I mean if the bolt is keeling it creates additional drag ?
My boat seems to sail just fine with it as before.
@@Adventureman_Dan Cool. I really like the size of that contraption! I don't yet have a sailboat it's in my 5 years plan to get one. With that solar size I assume you never have to run the engine just for the alternator. I also looks like you have a rig line going through there as well is it banging / causing wear & tear?
@@Adventureman_Dan Thats an incredible arch--- how did you come up with that or was it on the boat before?
Well done, straight to the point and easy to understand.
Glad you liked it.
Oh yeah!
good job 👍
Thanks 👍
@@Adventureman_Dan welcome