Solar panel

[doug748]

I am thinking of adding a 10W Nasa solar panel this year as I will be in a more sheltered position and the windgen may struggle a bit. It will be just plugged into a cockpit socket and left on deck.
As my battery is 110A hr I would be happy not fitting a regulator. I am aware that this is contentious but I would be happy with it.

There is a shunt regulator fitted for the wind gen, the standard item supplied by LVM, connected across the battery + and -

My questions are:
If I fitted a larger panel would the shunt regulator protect the battery as it does for the wind gen? I am not fitting a larger panel but am just curious.
Would there be any snags with leaving the wind generator running?
Is there owt better than the Nasa?

Many thanks

 

[sarabande]

In practical terms, if you fit a larger panel, say 30W, in a fixed position on board, the system inefficiencies (length of cable, orientation, angle etc, will diminish the output and keep the battery happy. A 10W is a bit small. Don't forget to fuse the + cable.

I'd be reluctant to leave any wind genny going unattended. Too many things to go wrong: too strong wind, bearing failure, noise...

 

[VicS]

I am thinking of adding a 10W Nasa solar panel this year as I will be in a more sheltered position and the windgen may struggle a bit. It will be just plugged into a cockpit socket and left on deck.
As my battery is 110A hr I would be happy not fitting a regulator. I am aware that this is contentious but I would be happy with it.

There is a shunt regulator fitted for the wind gen, the standard item supplied by LVM, connected across the battery + and -

My questions are:
If I fitted a larger panel would the shunt regulator protect the battery as it does for the wind gen? I am not fitting a larger panel but am just curious.
Would there be any snags with leaving the wind generator running?
Is there owt better than the Nasa?

Many thanks

Yes I believe the regulator will also accept input from a solar panel but you would have to check what max solar power the regulator you have would accept. Some are only 10 watts!

 

[doug748]

I suspect mine is the smallest of this range:

https://www.shop.solar-wind.co.uk/acatalog/2SB-4SB_Regulator_Instructions.pdf

Not very reassuring - "..not suitable for yacht installations"

 

[Trop Cher]

Is there owt better than the Nasa?

Many thanks

Yes, I bought two of the nasa panels about five years ago and they are both delaminating, I also bought two others for about half the price of the nasa panels and they have faired much better. Sorry I can't remember where I bought them but probably from eBay.

 

[William_H]

Have a look on Ebay the Chinese make and sell good cheap solar panels. I have found the small all resin panels good. As opposed to having a ali frame. Do make sure it has 18 to 20 v open circuit voltage so always enough volts to push into a charged 12v battery. ie max power point then is about 14v just what you want with some extra voltage to do some good on overcast days. Yes should be oK without controller. Just check water level in batteries after a lot of sun but should be oK.
I ran 10 w into 50 AH (no controller) through oz summer no shading and battery needed a bit of water after 8 months. olewill