Could this work as a Solar Controller - solar for dummies

[MJWB]

On board I have an old Sterling Power Products 1220CE charger. As far as I can see it runs to both engine start and house batteries from the 240 v shore power input but in truth I really don't understand electrics. That should be obvious from my other threads. The charger works fine when connected to 240v.

I'm thinking of fitting a small solar panel to help keep batteeies topped up. Could I wire the solar panel into this charger for it to act as the solar regulator or am I way up the wrong tree?

May seem a daft question to those who know, but I don't so I'd be realy grateful for advice. Many thanks.

 

[fredrussell]

The Sterling charger is designed to have 240v input and 13 or 14v output to batteries. I doubt it will be very happy when fed 18v or so from solar panels. Solar regulators are cheap these days, go with one of those.
Also, what size panel and what size battery bank? If it’s a small panel you might not need a regulator at all.

 

[MJWB]

The Sterling charger is designed to have 240v input and 13 or 14v output to batteries. I doubt it will be very happy when fed 18v or so from solar panels. Solar regulators are cheap these days, go with one of those.
Also, what size panel and what size battery bank? If it’s a small panel you might not need a regulator at all.

From what I've been advised I probably only need a 20 or 30 W flexible panel to trickle up the engine start battery to keep it on the top line. Ideally it would top up the house battery too but the engine start is my priority. Got no fridge or other heavy load device on board.
Batteries are 70Ah for engine start if memory serves and 110Ah on the house battery.
I had downloaded the manual for the sterling charger but for the life of me I can't find it. But I note what you mention about the difference in the input. I assume the connection from the solar regulator just bypasses the sterling charger?

 

[PetiteFleur]

You can get a dual battery controller which you can set at various percentages for each battery, say 60% to engine battery and 40% to domestic. When one battery is full, all the charge goes to the other battery. Photonic Universe is the firm I use, helpful on the phone and reasonable prices. I've fitted their solar panels and controller to my boat and motorhome.

 

[MJWB]

You can get a dual battery controller which you can set at various percentages for each battery, say 60% to engine battery and 40% to domestic. When one battery is full, all the charge goes to the other battery. Photonic Universe is the firm I use, helpful on the phone and reasonable prices. I've fitted their solar panels and controller to my boat and motorhome.

Many thanks indeed.

 

[Tranona]

If you use the start battery just for starting and it is in good condition you do not need solar to keep it charged. The engine alternator will recharge it within minutes of starting and the rate of self discharge is low. Solar is normally used for topping up the house bank which is much more difficult to keep fully charged with just the alternator. However if you have access to shorepower when you leave the boat use that as it will keep your batteries fully charged. If you are worried about not being able to start your engine then have your circuits wired so that you can parallel the batteries and use the youse bank to start the engine. This assumes that you have completely separate individually isolated banks.