Catalina 30 solar system

[esp803]

Hello all,

I'm in the process of rigging a solar system to my Catalina 30, and I'm curious for those of you that have done it (attaching them to the aft rails): where did you run your wires back to the battery compartment? I'm looking at using either of the aft air vents at the moment, although I'm not sure where they actually vent from in the cabin... anybody have any advice?

Cheers

E

[Tetepare]

I think you want to run them through the panel first, right? No controller? I don't think you want to run straight into the battery and over-charge.

Put a waterproof grommet through the cockpit or next to a stanchion and run the wires through that, through the rear bulkhead behind the aft berth, along the starboard side. There is probably already wiring there.

[Bleemus]

CableClam

http://www.defender.com/category.jsp...986&id=2289996

[ValiantV]

Hey E,

No suggestions about the wiring (though I'll be listening as we have a C30 as well.) But curious about where you have the panel(s) mounted.

Isn't it just begging to get nailed hanging over the rail like that? Especially if you dock at a slip with tall pilings like it appears you have there.

[esp803]

Thanks all for the replies, I ended up going through the right side vent, I may re route them more elegantly later on when I throw a second panel on. It is going through an MPPT controller prior to the battery, and is currently only hooked up to my house battery. In the coming weeks I'll add a battery connector to charge the starter battery as well.

The panels are rotatable about 120 degrees and are stored flush in the down position. The hull should hit before the panel, with the exception of about 8" at the very back right side. There's always a compromise. But the system seems to be up and running now.

[jkindredpdx]

I ran line from panels to a water resistant rubber capped plug, to receptacle in the coaming, to isolator, to controller, to house battery bank. IMO, I can disconnect (unplug) the panels when desired. Controller avoids drainage or overcharging. Isolator protects engine alternator from solar panel charge.