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25-03-2017, 19:42
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Somewhere on the Australian Coast
Boat: FP Lavezzi 40, BMW R1200GS
Posts: 25
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Solar Regulator Advice
Hi All
I just ordered 2 x solar panels @ 200w each to replace my old kyocera 95w panels.
I will need a new regulator to go with it. My batteries are maintenance free CERAMIC bosch HCM27-700. I have been told the normal regulators are not suitable for ceramic batteries.
The current controller is a morningstar sunsaver 20 which I believe will be too small as the panel short amp rating is 11amp per panel so I am guessing 22 in parallel?
Can anyone please advise the correct controller for these panels and CERAMIC (not lead acid) batteries.
Many Thanks
David
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25-03-2017, 20:39
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#2
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
Boat: FP Belize Maestro 43 and OPBs
Posts: 12,888
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Re: Solar Regulator Advice
"CERAMIC bosch HCM27-700" Are you sure about that?
AFAIK, the Bosch HCM27-700 is a 95Ah, 12V dual-purpose, lead acid battery (what Bosch call "high cycle").
I have not been able to find any reference to Bosch making a ceramic battery. (Ceramics are very much on the bleeding edge of battery technology and still in the development stage)
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25-03-2017, 22:29
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Somewhere on the Australian Coast
Boat: FP Lavezzi 40, BMW R1200GS
Posts: 25
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Re: Solar Regulator Advice
Hi
It is described as Cal Cal MF here
http://aa-boschap-nz.resource.bosch.com/media/parts/service_parts__auto_parts/asia_pacific_bat_img/ueberarbeitung/battery-m-seriesbrochure-efile.pdf
Which according to some references I read means ceramic
https://www.batteriesplus.com.au/shop/car-truck/battery-terms-explained/
So I think they are calcium maint free
Happy to be proven wrong cause I am no expert
Thanks
David
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25-03-2017, 22:39
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#4
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,113
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Re: Solar Regulator Advice
s
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducati996guy
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Acording to this I found
Silver Calcium alloy batteries are a type of lead-acid battery with grids made from lead-calcium-silver alloy, instead of the traditional lead-antimony alloy or newer lead-calcium alloy. They stand out for its resistance to corrosion and the destructive effects of high temperatures
So they are infact lead acid batteries that are constructed for high heat applications.
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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26-03-2017, 02:33
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#7
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
Boat: FP Belize Maestro 43 and OPBs
Posts: 12,888
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Re: Solar Regulator Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducati996guy
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Nope, ceramic batteries are something completely different.
"A Calcium battery is a still a lead acid battery; they are usually sealed maintenance free. Calcium replaces antimony in the plates of the battery to give it some advantages including improved resistance to corrosion, no excessive gassing, less water usage and lower self discharge"
Use a standard FLA charging regime, but since it is sealed/maintenance free you need to be cautious about overcharging/ heating.
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26-03-2017, 03:03
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,112
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Re: Solar Regulator Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducati996guy
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They appear to be conventional car batteries to me. They are the same thing I fit to our little fleet of restored vintage vehicles.
They usually need a modern alternator because they need a slightly higher charging voltage than our cars used to provide, don't quote me here but I think they need 14.6 volts.
They are not deep cycle and they have a pretty small capacity. In other words they seem a VERY strange choice for a boat. Is there any particular reason you chose them?
__________________
Refitting… again.
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26-03-2017, 03:25
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Brazil
Boat: Custom Swedish Vindö 50 (35 ft)
Posts: 806
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Re: Solar Regulator Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by StuM
Nope, ceramic batteries are something completely different.
"A Calcium battery is a still a lead acid battery; they are usually sealed maintenance free. Calcium replaces antimony in the plates of the battery to give it some advantages including improved resistance to corrosion, no excessive gassing, less water usage and lower self discharge"
Use a standard FLA charging regime, but since it is sealed/maintenance free you need to be cautious about overcharging/ heating.
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I believe you are correct Stu. I use similar batteries on my boat made by Bosch (mine are 105a ones). The company provides the charging voltage regime for bulk, absorbtion and float. I set my Outback solar controller to a conservative charging regime (the boat sits idle most of the time with the batteries on float). If you overcharge these batteries they have to vent, and with no way to replace the water, it becomes a problem.
The OP might benefit from a solar controller that offers temperature monitoring during charging just to be on the safe side.
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27-03-2017, 12:20
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Astoria, NY
Boat: Sabre 38
Posts: 566
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Re: Solar Regulator Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by newhaul
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I'd second Victron. Quality gear that allows you to customize the charging parameters to meet your needs. The BlueTooth and an iPhone/Android app is pretty neat. I'd think most MorningStar MPPTs will also be great.
__________________
Stephen
s/v Carpe Ventum
1983 Sabre 38
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