House Batteries in my Westsail 32

[cheoah]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

Cheoah,
did you see the first link in post number 49?
maybe that can answer your question. it's a great link for installing the battery monitor.

Ya I watched the video, and I have a good handle on just the Victron install. I just don't have a good handle on the current system PO installed. Trying to make sure I don't screw anything up, and wiring goes to unlabeled fuse panel and I have not been able to effectively trace the wires yet. I *think* it is simply a way to measure alternator output in mv, but skeered it's for the Balmar ARS-5 regulator. Boat is new to me and I have never installed a Balmar regulator.

[cheoah]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Holy mother, that is some monitor you have there The switch position for alternator amps is what used that shunt on the alternator. Just check if the two yellow wires from the shunt actually go to this monitor to make sure.
If you remove the shunt, you need a way to interconnect the cables again and may not have enough length available...

They've come a long way with battery monitors. This one is erratic, and I have not been able to fix it. Thx for the input. He paid over a grand for it 20 years ago.... he kept very good records. Here's what it looks like inside:

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by cheoah

Ya I watched the video, and I have a good handle on just the Victron install. I just don't have a good handle on the current system PO installed. Trying to make sure I don't screw anything up, and wiring goes to unlabeled fuse panel and I have not been able to effectively trace the wires yet. I *think* it is simply a way to measure alternator output in mv, but skeered it's for the Balmar ARS-5 regulator. Boat is new to me and I have never installed a Balmar regulator.

sorry I misunderstood your question. personally I got a boatload of information out of those two links in post 49 but I am completely electrically illiterate. but I'm enjoying it.

[cheoah]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

sorry I misunderstood your question. personally I got a boatload of information out of those two links in post 49 but I am completely electrically illiterate. but I'm enjoying it.

No you're right, everything one needs to know about the basic setup is in that post -- great stuff, and the video I had not seen yet.

I'm not electrically illiterate, but still dangerous, me thinks

[endoftheroad]

hooray, I just ordered the two140 watt kyoceras and two genasun gv10 controllers from Alt~e online store. I'll be watching for UPS in a few days.
going to love those 12 volt fans blowing on me all summer.
later this week I'll order the Victron battery monitor.
excited at the endoftheroad.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

hooray, I just ordered the two140 watt kyoceras and two genasun gv10 controllers from Alt~e online store. I'll be watching for UPS in a few days.
going to love those 12 volt fans blowing on me all summer.
later this week I'll order the Victron battery monitor.
excited at the endoftheroad.

That is the genuine deal, Kyoceras are cream of the cream, congrats!

[endoftheroad]

Jedi,
I first heard of the genasun gv 10 controller in a previous post of yours in a completely different thread.
Thank you for my introduction to the unit, I feel very good about using these controllers.

[endoftheroad]

I've read the pdf installations for gv-10 controllers and the kyocera's.
No where do they specify the use of combiners, fuses, breakers or switches.

I like Maine Sail's picture,
What else is nesessary regarding wiring the panels and controllers?

Thanks

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

I've read the pdf installations for gv-10 controllers and the kyocera's.
No where do they specify the use of combiners, fuses, breakers or switches.

I like Maine Sail's picture,
What else is nesessary regarding wiring the panels and controllers?

Thanks

If you want or desire an ON/OFF switch on the panels then it would go in the positive lead from the controller to the bank or "after" the controller with Genasuns.. The pos wire from the controllers to the bank should be fused, based on the wire gauge, within about 7" of the positive battery post.

The controllers only handle up to 10GA wire so if you have a long run you may need to bump up the wire gauge. Terminal strips or power posts close to the controller serve this purpose well. These panels were very close to the bank and thus 10GA was sufficient for the entire run..

If you want a combiner or Echo type charger just wire that between the banks per manufacturers instructions.

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

If you want or desire an ON/OFF switch on the panels then it would go in the positive lead from the controller to the bank or "after" the controller with Genasuns.. The pos wire from the controllers to the bank should be fused, based on the wire gauge, within about 7" of the positive battery post.

The controllers only handle up to 10GA wire so if you have a long run you may need to bump up the wire gauge. Terminal strips or power posts close to the controller serve this purpose well. These panels were very close to the bank and thus 10GA was sufficient for the entire run..

If you want a combiner or Echo type charger just wire that between the banks per manufacturers instructions.

The kyocera 140's specify 10ga wire, my lengths wont be that long so I should be fine with 10ga besides I read that the junction box has to be reemed out or modiied to fit 8ga. Especially since the genasun only handles 10ga.

But shouldn't I be using 8ga from the controller to the battery bank since both controllers are combined at this point?

I have decided against combiners or switches, I like your setup.

So my final concerns should be the fuse size and the fuse type at the batteries.

[onestepcsy37]

the info sheet that comes with the kyocera panels will tell you what size fuse to use. i have the kyo 135 and it specifies 10 amp. probably the same for your 140's.

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

the info sheet that comes with the kyocera panels will tell you what size fuse to use. i have the kyo 135 and it specifies 10 amp. probably the same for your 140's.

A 15amp fuse s recommended, I will install inline at the battery.
I will be using 10ga wire.
In the below picture should my leads to the batteries be larger than 10ga since they are carrying the load from both controllers to the battery?
If I don't get a reply I may not doubleup the wires from the terminal as is in the below picture.
And, What terminals on my 6 volt batteries that are wired in series do I connect the wires? At the far ends (pos and neg of course) of the 4 batteries?

Thanks

[Maine Sail]

4-6V



And another layout:

[RW Sailor]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

i didn't even think of the shading of individual panels and how individual controllers would greatly benefit.
awesome this is good stuff,
thanks everyone.

I'm as excited as a kid on Christmas morning. Solar is way cool.

How are you hooking up two controllers on one battery? Just parallel? How do they know how much the other one is charging then? Thank you for advice, I'm thinking over those things as well at the moment

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by RW Sailor

How are you hooking up two controllers on one battery? Just parallel? How do they know how much the other one is charging then? Thank you for advice, I'm thinking over those things as well at the moment

It would take a couple of years of study to fully comprehend that but the thing to remember is that when the battery is empty enough to need some good charging, both controllers will be at it on full power. When the battery is charged to a level where the two panels/controllers have power to spare, they might not be in balance anymore, but that isn't important enough to worry about