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Rickthesailor · 21-03-2017, 08:46

HI,

We just finished an install of our new solar and batteries on our L450F... We swapped out the less than one year old Excide 120aH gel batteries for Deka 185ah gel batteries (6)... we had to build shelves to accommodate the slightly larger heavier Deka batteries...

We had a SS frame built for the solar panels and it is bolted together so it can be taken apart if needed... We put in four 260 watt Kyocera panels... Originally we wanted five or six, but the support frame was getting wider than the roof line and would have caused head injuries (i hit my head constantly on this boat)...

We went with Midnite Classic 150 controllers (two), primarily for access... they support remote mounting of the Control/Dislpay screen, and they also support WiFi from the controllers to a PC for management.

So far so good... Partly cloudy here is St Martin today, and by 0900 hrs the controllers were in Float and the batteries we fully charged...

We wired the panels in pairs, each pair were wired in series... Although each controller could handle all four panels, we opted for two controllers for redundancy...

Note that when we took the top plate off the end roof support posts that three of the eight bolts were short...

All wiring is run through the SS tubing... the hardest part was making a hole in the large steel base plates under the support posts.

Regards, Rick

Rickthesailor · 21-03-2017, 08:57

part two pics

Rickthesailor · 21-03-2017, 09:01

part 3 pics

Rickthesailor · 21-03-2017, 09:11

part 4 pics

Davidhoy · 21-03-2017, 09:56

Very nice!

LoudMusic · 21-03-2017, 10:40

Nicely done.

The only change I would have made is some kind of service loop and easy disconnect on the cables that flex with the hinge on the door. That way if you need to remove the door you don't have to undo the cables - you just unplug them. And with a bit more service loop they will not breakdown as quickly from being flexed.

Rickthesailor · 21-03-2017, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoudMusic

Nicely done.

The only change I would have made is some kind of service loop and easy disconnect on the cables that flex with the hinge on the door. That way if you need to remove the door you don't have to undo the cables - you just unplug them. And with a bit more service loop they will not breakdown as quickly from being flexed.

HI,

It is just an RJ11 plug on the display/control panel, so it is simple to unplug... And there is about a half metre of slack cable behind the hole, so I have plenty of play in it...

This is primarily a backup if the WiFi breaks or the PC fails.. It can be managed by a PC app from Midnite...

Regards, Rick

LoudMusic · 21-03-2017, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickthesailor

HI,

It is just an RJ11 plug on the display/control panel, so it is simple to unplug... And there is about a half metre of slack cable behind the hole, so I have plenty of play in it...

This is primarily a backup if the WiFi breaks or the PC fails.. It can be managed by a PC app from Midnite...

Regards, Rick

Well there you go! Sounds like a winner.

solecollector · 30-03-2017, 19:48

Nice setup - ! A ton of work but I'm sure you'll love it for years.

Hearts Content · 30-03-2017, 20:35

Sweet boat and good job. With all that love and effort, Sort of surprised you didn't go with Lithium batteries.

ranchero76 · 30-03-2017, 21:22

Nice! Would you mind to share cost? Metal fabrication and other parts?

Rickthesailor · 18-04-2017, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hearts Content

Sweet boat and good job. With all that love and effort, Sort of surprised you didn't go with Lithium batteries.

HI,

Would have loved to go with lithium, but for the price I paid for all six Deka batteries, I would have gotten one lithium battery..

Regards, Rick