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04-13-2007
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Space cadet
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Delaware, USA
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Solar charge controller
Can anyone recommend a simple solar charge controller for a small solar panel? The panel I have is for topping off the batteries while not in use. As it is, the panel just has two wires with alligator clips and nothing else. I'm guessing I need some sort of regulator to prevent overcharging, a fuse to prevent shorts, and a diode. The panel is not mounted but just sits in the cockpit. I have two batteries....
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04-13-2007
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Jotun,
What is the output of the panels?
- CD
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04-13-2007
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Telstar 28
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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The NC25A is a pretty good, inexpensive charge controller and will handle up to 25Amps.
While not an MPPT-type controller, its also nowhere near as expensive. About $150 USD.
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Sailingdog
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
Still—DON'T READ THAT POST AGAIN.
Last edited by sailingdog : 04-13-2007 at 11:10 AM.
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04-13-2007
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Space cadet
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CD,
It's on the boat. But it is small. The panel is the equivalent of a trickle charger. I'm guessing the PO just connected it directly to the house battery.
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04-13-2007
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SD,
Assuming it is just a trickle, do you even need a charge controller? My guess is no, but I have never direct wired.
- CD
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04-13-2007
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Telstar 28
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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Define trickle charger, and define what the on-board battery banks are made up of... that would help. IIRC, if the power rating of the panel is more than 1/60 the bank capacity, then a charge controller is recommended.
Since the OP hasn't stated the size of the panel or the battery bank, can't really say one way or the other. I prefer not to wire panels directly to the battery.. but would rather set them up on a fuse block and then put a output from the fuse block on a switch...
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Sailingdog
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
Still—DON'T READ THAT POST AGAIN.
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04-13-2007
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Space cadet
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Delaware, USA
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I have two 12v wet-cell batteries on board. But, sitting here at work, I can't tell you the size of the panel. It looks, however, something like those little 1.8 watt panels. I'll bring it home this weekend.
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04-13-2007
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Telstar 28
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New England
Posts: 27,079
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If that's the case, and the batteries are even Group 24s, I doubt it's even keeping them topped off.  And definitely no charge controller needed.
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Sailingdog
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
If you're new to the Sailnet Forums... please read this POST.
Still—DON'T READ THAT POST AGAIN.
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04-13-2007
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25 watts is less than two amps...no charge controller needed. It cannot really charge your batteries...just keep them topped up when you are off the boat.
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04-13-2007
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Senior Member
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if your charger is 400 miliamps or less you do not need a controler.
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