Solar panel wiring

[Nuggs]

Hi I'm a new owner of a hurley 24/70 (first sailboat)
I'm worried about dead batteries so want to trickle charge while I'm away from marina.
The question I have is if I put the solar on the deck coach and drilled a hole for the cable through the roof (which seems scary)what would I need to seal the hole to stop water leaking down into the cabin

 

[PaulRainbow]

f the panel is permanently fitted, use a cable gland.

If the panel is any bigger than 10w it needs a controller. You need to fit a fuse close to the batteries.

 

[Nuggs]

Yes the wire will goto a controller.
This is what I have bought https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/20w-Light-...hash=item466057720c:g:k3cAAOSw4CFY7T-O&thm=10

 

[Stemar]

If you have separate engine and domestic batteries, you can get controllers with two outputs.

I have one a bit like this: https://www.solarshop.co.uk/charge-...harge-Controller/p/66514947/category=19542339 . It allows you to prioritise one battery until fully charged, when it charges the other one. Mine is set to prioritise the engine battery as I can always run the engine to top up the domestic in an emergency. If the engine battery's flat, I'm stuffed.

MPPT controllers are more efficient, but significantly more expensive. Whether they're worth the extra to you is for you to decide, but mine is the cheap one and, in the summer, our 40w of panels keep up with our use on board unless we use the cold box. In winter, a weekend's use working on board is replaced even in a cold grey December.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If the engine battery's flat, I'm stuffed.

Why not fit an emergency start switch ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Yes the wire will goto a controller.
This is what I have bought https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/20w-Light-...hash=item466057720c:g:k3cAAOSw4CFY7T-O&thm=10

Use a cable gland then. Don't use the crocodile clips, get some terminals crimped onto the cables and fix them properly.

 

[Iain C]

I've just fitted one to my B32 and used one of these from Scanstrut. It's a nice bit of kit, and facing it backwards straightaway reduces chances of leaks from standing rainwater. It also fits beautifully in a moulding on my coachroof too!

 

[Nuggs]

Thanks for the replies I'm gonna go with what Paultherainbow has said now gotta buy crimpers

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks for the replies I'm gonna go with what Paultherainbow has said now gotta buy crimpers

Don't buy this sort : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HD-Elect...696408?hash=item3d58230a18:g:XIIAAOSwdoZac7xM

Get this type : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-E...726984&hash=item5d49c8b9b6:g:VqIAAOSwHJVbN9GS

The above are just examples of the style of tool, although the Draper ones do work well and make a good tool for DIY use.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I used this type of gland for my solar panel http://www.solentmarine.co.uk/acatalog/Cable-Gland-Side-Entry.html

 

[Cactus Sailing]

I've just fitted one to my B32 and used one of these from Scanstrut. It's a nice bit of kit, and facing it backwards straightaway reduces chances of leaks from standing rainwater. It also fits beautifully in a moulding on my coachroof too!

i too recommend the scanstrut gland after fitting one on our boat. fitted neatly and looks like it should be there if that makes sense.