100W Solar Charger is Slow

[P30Dude]

Hi folks,

Sorry if this topic has already been covered but here goes: I have a 100W Windynation Solar panel with an output of 21/22 V, yet I'm charging at a rate of .02V an hour, does this sound correct?


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by P30Dude

Hi folks,

Sorry if this topic has already been covered but here goes: I have a 100W Windynation Solar panel with an output of 21/22 V, yet I'm charging at a rate of .02V an hour, does this sound correct?


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

"a rate of .02V an hour" makes no sense. How many amps are you putting into the batteries?

I hope you have a solar controller in line.

What size battery bank? What type? AGM? Flooded? Gelled? Spiral?

Bill

[P30Dude]

The PO set it up so the panel charges direct to the battery AGM, the voltage meter works (21/22V but doesn't read Amps)from any of six cigarette style power ports (no controller), I know this isn't the proffered set up but it's what I have at the moment.


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

[thomm225]

You may have some rusted/corroded connections.

But you are going to need a controller regardless.!

[senormechanico]

Do you mean the battery voltage increases at .02 volts per hour?
How big a battery bank is this (amp hours)?

[btrayfors]

Vince,

Sorry to say, but my guess is that the s/v Flatline is going to have an AGM battery flatline in the near future.

AGMs need to be charged correctly and they need to reach a full charge frequently or they'll sulfate and greatly reduce their capacity and longevity.

If you're willing to make some investment in improving your charging system perhaps we can help.

At a bare minimum, you need a good multimeter AND a clamp-on DC ammeter to be able to determine what's really going on with your solar panel and AGM.

Bill

[monte]

is your boats system 12V or 24V? Where are you seeing 22V?
Best to post full details, battery type, bank size, solar controller type. Maybe best to turn off anything drawing power till you get some proper advices sounds like a 24V system with a flat battery

[P30Dude]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

Vince,

Sorry to say, but my guess is that the s/v Flatline is going to have an AGM battery flatline in the near future.

AGMs need to be charged correctly and they need to reach a full charge frequently or they'll sulfate and greatly reduce their capacity and longevity.

If you're willing to make some investment in improving your charging system perhaps we can help.

At a bare minimum, you need a good multimeter AND a clamp-on DC ammeter to be able to determine what's really going on with your solar panel and AGM.

Bill

Unfortunately I agree with your summation time to Do this right


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

[btrayfors]

OK. In order to help, we'll need some details:

1. Size of battery bank to be charged, in AH (e.g., 2 Group 31 AGMs with total of 200AH @ 20-hour rate). Age of batteries.

2. Engine type/size/alternator capacity.

3. External regulator on alternator?

4. Type/size of battery charger (when on shore power).

5. Total solar panel capacity now; planned.

6. Any other charging sources? Wind? Generator?

7. Type of cruising you do: at dockside mostly, at anchor mostly, short weekend trips, coastal cruising, etc.

8. Some estimate of power needed each day (in AH) to run onboard electric gear.

With this info, we should be able to make some recommendations for a reliable, trouble-free electric setup.

Bill

[newhaul]

The windy nation panels are 12volt units with an open voltage of 21/22volts you do need at a minimum a cheap 10 amp pwm controller you can get one on eBay for under $20 the charging amperage of a single 100 watt panel is 5.56 amps max sounds to me you have some bad connections and sorry to say likely cooked batteries 12V 24V 5 10 15 20 30A PWM Solar Panel Battery Regulator Charge Controller USA | eBay the 20 amp unit under 15 bucks not the best but will work just fine and will allow for the addition of a second 100 watt panel in the future we use the 30 amp version with 2 x 100 watt windy nation panels on our Spencer

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by P30Dude

The PO set it up so the panel charges direct to the battery AGM, the voltage meter works (21/22V but doesn't read Amps)from any of six cigarette style power ports (no controller), I know this isn't the proffered set up but it's what I have at the moment.


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

If a P30 is a little old boat you may not be willing to spend $1,000 on your battery system. I sure as hell wouldn't!

So you might be better looking at "Marks Cheap Way of Solar". Oh thats me!!

I take it that when you are getting full sun on your panel and the meter shoved in the cigarette socket you are only seeing a .02 rise in voltage? Say from 12.24 to 12.26? Is that correct?

OK you do need to see more than that. You want to see 12.24 go to 12.44 and higher as your batteries fill.

Its normally connections. They do rust through and become useless. You need to replace them by cutting a couple of inches of the cable on each side of the connector and joing them.
Also pull your battery connections off and polish tose with sandpaper. The should not be dull lead color but shiny and new looking.

Batteries do not last forever. Not more than 5 years so yours may need to be replaced.

How many batteries do you have? If you have 4 whoppers then 1 solar panel aint gunna do nuffin. So check the side of the batter for the lable or measure it (lenght x b x h) and tell us.

Do not go buy a new battery, monitor or controller yet. Lets get your system working and your knowledge up before you go waste money

Mark

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by P30Dude

The PO set it up so the panel charges direct to the battery AGM, the voltage meter works (21/22V but doesn't read Amps)from any of six cigarette style power ports (no controller), I know this isn't the proffered set up but it's what I have at the moment.


Vince
S/V Flatline
P-30 No. 280

A 100W unregulated panel charging AGM's....... Ouch....


Solar Over Charging
https://youtu.be/z5RtZe9AW2E


.

[goboatingnow]

Agh don't you just love current sources ??


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[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

A 100W unregulated panel charging AGM's....... Ouch....

I did that with my batteries for a couple months before I bought my $10.00 controller without problems. My batteries were not AGM's though and the 100W panel put out a maximum of around 18 volts. Usually is was more like 15 volts.

I charged it manually as in only when I was there was the solar panel plugged in to the batteries. That was a couple years ago.

I'm still using the same batteries now.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by thomm225

I did that with my batteries for a couple months before I bought my $10.00 controller without problems. My batteries were not AGM's though and the 100W panel put out a maximum of around 18 volts. Usually is was more like 15 volts.

I charged it manually as in only when I was there was the solar panel plugged in to the batteries. That was a couple years ago.

I'm still using the same batteries now.

So in fact your experience is completely difference to the OP.


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