Deep dive into Victron solar controller- battery settings.

[coopec]

Why don't you guys comment in English? (I haven't a clue what you are taking about)
(ol'will post (above) has raised my hopes a little)

I'm about to climb up into my yacht and try to work out why my solar panel/PWM is not charging the batteries. Yesterday morning the controller stated "PV Off" but when I came back in the afternoon that message had disappeared.

(Can't wait to get my Victron 100/75 controller)

 

[PaulRainbow]

This may not be applicable to OP but I end to smile at the concept of bulk and float charge voltages on a solar array controller when in reality you have limited sun and limited solar power so solar is always struggling to keep up let alone top off your battery charging. ol'will

That's because you're likely thinking about small panels. My array has the batteries fully charged by midday or so in the Summer, i don't want them sitting at 14.8v for the rest of the day.

 

[noelex]

This may not be applicable to OP but I end to smile at the concept of bulk and float charge voltages on a solar array controller when in reality you have limited sun and limited solar power so solar is always struggling to keep up let alone top off your battery charging. ol'will

This depends on the goals of the solar installation. Some boats use solar to reduce their generator run time or to extend their time away from shore power, but if you want a solar array that will supply enough power to be independent of generator and shore power input, you should be regularly hitting float early in the day in conditions when the solar insolation is good. This means a long time on float and risk of overcharging the batteries if the settings are wrong.

 

[coopec]

This depends on the goals of the solar installation. Some boats use solar to reduce their generator run time or to extend their time away from shore power, but if you want a solar array that will supply enough power to be independent of generator and shore power input, you should be regularly hitting float early in the day in conditions when the solar insolation is good. This means a long time on float and risk of overcharging the batteries if the settings are wrong.

I wonder of that is possible on a ketch? (I've got two 90W panels on the aft cabin roof)

 

[noelex]

I wonder of that is possible on a ketch? (I've got two 90W panels on the aft cabin roof)

View attachment 129687

Installing a solar array that provides all power is not possible on all vessels.

On some vessels a solar array that supplements shore/generator power is the best solution for the owner's needs. In other cases, a small solar panel to replace the batteries' self discharge during times of storage is ideal. In some vessels solar is a waste of time. There is no one answer that fits all vessels.

It depends on the available space to install the panels (especially in a reasonably shade free location), together with your power usage and location/season cruising plans.

If it is feasible, a solar array that consistently provides all electrical power is a worthwhile goal. This is achievable on some boats. Solar power is reliable, long lasting, requires no external fuel, it produces no noise or vibration and requires little service or maintenance, especially if rigid panels can be installed. The ideal power source.

 

[geem]

I wonder of that is possible on a ketch? (I've got two 90W panels on the aft cabin roof)

View attachment 129687

Our ketch has 720w of solar on the guardrails with an additional 40w dedicated to the engine battery. We liveaboard 9 months of the year and don't use the diesel generator for anything other than running the watermaker. We make domestic hot water from spare solar energy in the afternoon when the batteries are in float.

 

[coopec]

Our ketch has 720w of solar on the guardrails with an additional 40w dedicated to the engine battery. We liveaboard 9 months of the year and don't use the diesel generator for anything other than running the watermaker. We make domestic hot water from spare solar energy in the afternoon when the batteries are in float.

I remember you saying about four/five months ago that you had them installed on the guardrails. (I was looking at that again just yesterday)

I think that's the way I'll go but right now I'm in more trouble than Speed Gordon trying to work out what I've done wrong with installation of the PWM Controller. ?

Thanks