Solar Help

[DaveBMusik]

Usable space on my Bimini is not as much as I had hoped (window on front & zipper for backstay through the center of back) so I am looking at two square panels - one on each side of the zipper.

I'm new to the solar scene. What would be better 2 50W panels @ 2.83 Amps & 17.64 V or two 64W panels @ 5.3A but 10V?
I have a four battery (Trojan  105's) house bank and am considering a Blue Solar (Victron) MPPT https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers/mppt7510. It has bluetooth capability so you can monitor battery state and solar charge status/history on a portable device rather than installing another display at the Nav station.

Would I need to wire the 10V panels in Series to bring the voltage up or use an MPPT with boost capability?

-sorry to display my ignorance....

[Stu Jackson]

Dave,

I've found this very helpful:

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

[patrice]

Hi,

Hard to say about size of panel.  Do you have power during the week ?
I'm on a mooring, so all I have is solar to recharge. I have a 250W panel / MPPT controller.

I made my panel support to hold panel sideway after the backstay.
Made 2 arches clamped on an horizontal bar on the bimini frame.  Then I have two support to offset panel behind the backstay.
SO panel is over my bimini portion left behind backstay and not protruding bimini canva.

Here are some pictures I have.

[DaveBMusik]

Thanks Stu! I had read some of his stuff before and especially like the analogy of voltage with air pressure.

Nice set-up Patrice! I was originally going to be on a mooring but decided on a slip for at least the first year. I still like the idea of topping off the battery during the week without being plugged in and to help out with power a bit while cruising but wish there was a bit more real estate on the Bimini without building a frame.

[mainesail]

Usable space on my Bimini is not as much as I had hoped (window on front & zipper for backstay through the center of back) so I am looking at two square panels - one on each side of the zipper.

I'm new to the solar scene. What would be better 2 50W panels @ 2.83 Amps & 17.64 V or two 64W panels @ 5.3A but 10V?
I have a four battery (Trojan  105's) house bank and am considering a Blue Solar (Victron) MPPT https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers/mppt7510. It has bluetooth capability so you can monitor battery state and solar charge status/history on a portable device rather than installing another display at the Nav station.

Would I need to wire the 10V panels in Series to bring the voltage up or use an MPPT with boost capability?

-sorry to display my ignorance....

For 10V panels you would need a controller like the Genasun GV Boost controllers. Wiring the panels in series can result in poorer performance than parallel due to shading. The best performance in a shaded installation means one controller per panel or parallel panels with one controller..

Genasun GV Boost Controller

[DaveBMusik]

Thank you, exactly what I was looking for!

[patrice]

Hi,

If your going to the expence of installing a solar setup, if I was you, I would go for something that would be enough to be on a mooring.  (no dock power )
So if you feel like going to a mooring next year or in two, your solar system won't need to be replace.
my opinion...

[DaveBMusik]

Hi,

If your going to the expence of installing a solar setup, if I was you, I would go for something that would be enough to be on a mooring.  (no dock power )
So if you feel like going to a mooring next year or in two, your solar system won't need to be replace.
my opinion...

I am slowly coming to the realization that the Bimini I have may not be the way to go. I do have davits and may go that way. I will probably wait until summer, get a better feel for the boat and make a decision then.

[bayates]

I am installing two 100w flexible panels with 2 victron controllers and the BT LPE dongle to monitor the panels. Mounting the with Velcro on the bimini on both sides of the window. Will take pictures as we go along over next two weeks. The goal is to have complete next weekend.

[DaveBMusik]

Very interested how you make out Brian. I was a little concerned going over the middle hoop. Are you going to put any kind of reinforcement under the panels there?
Are you going with the 70/15's? The phone App looks pretty interesting