Solar install

[bikenxs]

I have aquired 6 solar panals from another boat that will not be useing them anymore. Unfortunately, they were removed by the other boater. I have no wireing diagram. I also got the inverter/charger. I am in need of a good wireing diagram, to include batts', inverter/charger and panels. Also have Genset and shore power, and am not sure how they all fit together for use. The Gen, and shore porew have a switch. How would the solar fit with all this?
Thanks ahead, Jib

 

[pvanv]

Re: Solar install

I would see if you can contact the manufacturer. Many solar panels want to run thriugh a charge controller, to avoid overcharging the batteries. Likewise, many need an external blocking diode to ensure that they don't deplete the batteries when it's dark out. All depends on what you have.

In simplest terms, each panel will have a pair of leads, and these are the charge wires for the battery banks. But the specifics can start to get more complex, depending on your individual setup.

Your question covers a lot of ground, with multiple sources and loads, and even shore power. I would study up on the overall system, and if it seems way beyond your skill set, call in a competent marine electrician.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Solar install

What Pvanv said is good advice. One additional comment I have would be that the panels would need to be installed on the battery side of any switching system to avoid them being switched off. That would defeat the purpose of having them. You also need to determine if these are 12 volt panels in which case they would likely be paralleled. Unless there is another regulator in the charging system on your boat, they would require a charge controller as mentioned.