solar panels and charge controllers

[Andrew]

Remember those 12v flouros, LED is 2 tech leaps ahead of my 1980's bulb lights. (Bulbs can also act as small electric heaters..)

Replaced my 102ah deepcycle battery (installed oct 2019) nearly 5 years old. (Keeping it in shed, Its still ok for power blackouts at home, for fans and devices)

The new main battery is another Century N70T flooded lead acid, its has a few modifications. Its 4cm longer, a bit thinner, and has 6 large screw on caps (instead of two x 3 hole clip on caps). Was $239 on club special at Anaconda. Its the same height and weight (25kg). It fit into the old battery tie downs.

Was thinking about a Kings 115ah AGM for $200 but it was larger and 29kg's.

Reckon 25kg lifting under and into "the hole" is enough.

Century N70T 102ah , 2024 left and 2019 right.

[IanS]

Andrew,

I think the "load" terminal on your charge controller should output a steady 12V, whereas the "battery" terminal will have the charge voltage on it, which could be around 14V or more. That might not be good for more sensitive electronic devices.

Ian

[Andrew]

Ozzie wrote."Solar blankets put out while they are on the jetty are becoming popular too as I assume they are getting cheaper and more efficient."

Spotted a 100W solar blanket at Bunnys for $145, so grabbed it. It's made by Arlec very portable size when packed up and weighs 3.5kg all up. It has a zip pouch on it's back side, this holds a 20A mppt controller, 7m soft cable and aligator clips for any lead acid battery. all connected up with anderson plugs and all included in the price package.

It also has 2 prop legs that fold out, a carry handle and tie on loops.

Tried it on the spare battery, (and it soon indicated a full battery on the mppt controller) It's designed for tent, camper trailer etc camping off grid charging devices etc (controller has USB outlet), but not fridges (they need a 200W system, Arlecs weighs 7.2 kgs)

[Andrew]

Some specs on the Arlec 100W solar blanket.

It's 42cm x 55cm folded up (so easily would stow in cabin)
127cm x 55cm deployed (should fit on side decks or bimini etc)
Cells are efficient mono crystaline, about 23% (whatever that is..)
It's maximum output should be about 5Amps in full sun. mppt controller is most efficient type.
It's not meant for rain or spray conditions, so use only at anchor or dock on non-rainy days.

My intention is the 100W blanket is just a battery booster, my 40W solid panel can withstand rain spray etc so would be always out in the sun. Want to make sure the battery doesn't get too discharged if doing long runs on tillerpilot.

It's all just guesswork, and trial and error method, hope it's enough. i've looked online about boat amps consuption/tillerpilot consumption etc but most of it is just gobldeegook to me.