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Old 21-02-2013, 00:00   #31
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

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Hi that compressor looks remarkably like the danfoss 50 installed on my boat. Uses an insanely small ammount of power, 80 watts of solar runs everything and recharges the batts easily.
Of course the amount of power used by a refrigerator depends a lot on how well the box is insulated, and of course the ambient temperature. My boat has a Danfoss cooler and probably average insulation. It draws 5A when running, and in tropical waters it runs at about a 30% duty-cycle (I could be off on that estimate). This would result in a 36Ah daily consumption, and require about 100W of solar panel (in a 12V system).
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Old 21-02-2013, 16:31   #32
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I looked around Key West after work today for Trojan T-105's.
It looks like the only way I can get these batteries locally is to steal them from my neighbors boat. Rocketman is in town in the anchorage, I told him about a cruisers party going on an island tonight. I wonder what kind of batteries he has in his Beneteau.

On a serious note, I was thinking about approaching a tourist golf cart business and maybe ordering alongside.
Key West Electrical has the equivalent Decca batteries but they want $145 each and $25 core.
NO WAY am I paying $170 plus tax.

I want t-105's!!!!!!

Unless I decide on a different battery storage approach in the meantime.
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Old 21-02-2013, 16:45   #33
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

We got the Sam's brand GC2 batteries which were around 80 dollars a pop. I believe they're rebranded Johnson batteries, but can't recall, in any event they are of reputable quality. And at the price you can't beat them. MaineSail has more info on that in some other threads if you do a search.
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Old 21-02-2013, 16:48   #34
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

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A few important notes regarding my installation: I do not have a high output alternator, or a smart regulator, or a combiner, or an isolator. I have a standard alternator with a built-in regulator. When at the dock, I never use my charger (10 amp) except when I am aboard. That is, I control all charging. The charger is never on Auto.
A man after my own heart! Keep it simple. However, from what I read you have to top up those AGMs frequently, so you must be doing that with regularity.
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Old 22-02-2013, 16:47   #35
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A couple of shots of actual series parallel wired 6V battery banks.

This one was during the mock up of the battery box..

You could just picture the two parallel wires longer and the boxes on port & starboard. Note that the pos and neg takes offs for the system are at opposite sides of the bank.

Discontinued Blue Sea Battery Box Part #4021
What a shame!
http://bluesea.com/products/old/4021
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Old 23-02-2013, 05:46   #36
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

Hollar at me when ya get ready to do this thing, would be interested to help in anyway I can.
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Old 15-05-2013, 12:15   #37
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

I just got 4 Trojan t-105's today.
Yes.....I'm slow at spending money.
Blackoak and Motion30 and I drove up to Marathon to pick them up.

In a couple days I will be ordering 2 Kyocera 140 watt panels.
http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar...-J-Box/p10190/

I need a good mppt controller.
I was thinking about Blue Sky 2000e.
http://www.blueskyenergyinc.com/prod...ar_boost_2000e

Any suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks
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Old 15-05-2013, 12:30   #38
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

Check out these solar panels
Marine Flexible Solar Panels
I found these guys on the internet.
How much did you pay for your t105's in marathon?
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Old 15-05-2013, 14:55   #39
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Check out these solar panels
Marine Flexible Solar Panels
I found these guys on the internet.
How much did you pay for your t105's in marathon?
Thanks but I have already decided on the two Kyocera 140 panels.

What I'd like help deciding is what controller I should buy.

blue sky 2000e?

Anyone?

Thanks
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Old 16-05-2013, 12:52   #40
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Anyone know this charge controller?
There must be many of them out there in use.
Thanks
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Old 16-05-2013, 15:06   #41
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

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Anyone know this charge controller?
There must be many of them out there in use.
Thanks
I've installed many Blue Sky controllers. They work ok but are not my favorites. For example I have measured some of them in "idle" mode chewing up 0.35A. That can amount to more than 5Ah's over night that then needs to be replaced by the solar array. Most of them have lower standby consumption but they can be higher than some others. The Genasun and Rogue MPPT's are very, very miserly in idle mode.

For two Kyocera 140's I'd be tempted to go with two Genasun GV-10 PB MPPT controllers, one for each panel and very simple.

If you don't mind waiting a bit the new Rogue Power Technologies controller will be shipping in a few weeks. These, at least the older model, are some of my favorite controllers.

The problem with some Blue Sky controllers is that in order to get any of the good features you really need the IPN Pro-Remote which adds significantly to the cost.

The 2000E comes factory set at about 14.0V which is quite low for T105's as an absorption voltage. Luckily with the 2000e you don't need a remote to boost the voltage but this is a single set point controller which does not do float, IIRC, so 14.0V is a fairly "safe" voltage.
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Old 16-05-2013, 16:39   #42
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Wow...that's some good info.
Thanks
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Old 17-05-2013, 03:32   #43
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

Main sail,
I have been researching the Genasun mppt controllers.
I remember a thread where Jedi had recommended the Genasun.
And that one benefit is that if a controller craps out that with each panel having its own controller that you can limp along on one panel.
I saw some videos and read a bit and the genasun controller is impressive.

But what about wiring them?
Is there a great deal more wiring?
Also, I would like a digital display, can one be added?
Are diodes necessary?

Thanks
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Old 17-05-2013, 03:53   #44
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Re: House Batteries in my Westsail 32

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But what about wiring them?
Each panel goes to its respective controller each controller then goes off to the POS and NEG bus or you can make a back plane, as I often do, to speed installation on-board...

This is how easy it can be. Thisvone was installed last week with two 50W Solbian panels mounted PORT & STARBOARD on a dodger. Dodgers are not ideal due to shading, but by using two controllers you can maximize the output by allowing each controller to maximize the performance of each panel..




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Is there a great deal more wiring?
Only between each panel & the controller. After the controllers and off to the batteries they can share an output wire.


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Also, I would like a digital display, can one be added?
A Victron BMV-600 is the best deal IMHO. It is a battery monitor/Ah counter, % charged meter (Peukert corrected), volt meter, ammeter, history etc. etc...

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Are diodes necessary?

Thanks
No..
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Old 17-05-2013, 04:17   #45
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I have a Genasun MPPT and it works well
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