Solarplex ...

[Monique]

Hello floaters,

The solar panel has seen better days. It has done good duty and always kept the batteries fully charged. Retirement is near...

My problem is procuring a Solarplex 65 w replacement. Maplin will not deliver to Spain ... I ordered a replacement from Power store on 9 Feb and although they took my moolah, the panel is not on my door. I called yesterday and asked when it would be shipped..; "not soon, we are out of stock and could be 6 weeks before we receive a new shipment" from their supplier. AAARRRGGH!!!

Does anyone know where I could get one now? Prices vary a bit but not sufficiently for me to give Power store more time. The sailing season is 12 months a year and I am not very patient.

I am also opposed to taking money when there is no stock....

 

[vyv_cox]

Could be worth looking at midsummerenergy although they don't seem to do the make you have quoted. I bought mine from them, good service. They will deliver outside UK.

 

[Monique]

Thank you. Looking into the purchase now.

Secondary question: Is a charge controller required? I am charging 3 X 150 ah mains and a 90 ah engine start battery.

 

[Monique]

Thank you. Looking into the purchase now.

Secondary question: Is a charge controller required? I am charging 3 X 150 ah mains and a 90 ah engine start battery.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Theoretical maximum current input is 5amps but your bank is 540amps so I would say not.

 

[VicS]

The normal rule of thumb is that a regulator is not required for less than 1 watt of solar panel per 10Ah of battery capacity. BUT it is also usually advised that panels over 10watts should be used with a regulator regardless of the above.

On both counts then you should fit a regulator!

If you want to simultaneously charge both house bank and starter battery then a regulator with two output might be the way forward.

 

[vyv_cox]

The normal rule of thumb is that a regulator is not required for less than 1 watt of solar panel per 10Ah of battery capacity. BUT it is also usually advised that panels over 10watts should be used with a regulator regardless of the above.

On both counts then you should fit a regulator!

If you want to simultaneously charge both house bank and starter battery then a regulator with two output might be the way forward.

I agree on all counts. I have the dual battery bank version shown here. It does exactly what it says on the box, keeps both battery banks fully up, about the same size as yours but with 125 Watts of solar panel. Mine is about five years old now, still running perfectly. No effort required, either in Med summers or abandoned in winter.

 

[V1701]

....I am also opposed to taking money when there is no stock....

Agree, it's sharp practice. The better sellers don't take your money until they have the goods in stock (and their web sites show if they have stock). Have you asked for your money back?

 

[Monique]

This a great place. It is refreshing to find expert help on most nautical subjects. Thank you all for the advice.

Regarding the "asking for my money back". Not today but definitely tomorrow. I will also point out the dubious practice to take cash first...

Thamk you all again.

PS: Sunworks looks like a good charge regulator. I'll look into it.

 

[VicS]

PS: Sunworks looks like a good charge regulator. I'll look into it.

I'm sure you can rely on anything Vyv Cox recommends.

You could however look into regulators that use "Maximum Power Point Tracking" (MPPT) They control the solar panel terminal volts at the level at which the power is a maximum, around about 15 or 16 volts IIRC, and use some electronic wizardry to to convert the difference between that and the normal battery charging volts (14.4 ish) into extra charging current.

Probably when Vyv fitted his "pulse width modulated" (PWM) regulator the MPPT ones were not available

 

[ghostlymoron]

I've just fitted one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/60WATT-SOLAR-...FI&otn=10&po=&ps=63&clkid=8380365644318693516.
I've yet to find out if it's any good but by golly it's cheap!

 

[Monique]

Very interesting Vic. Can you point me to one of these magic gadgets?

 

[VicS]

Google will find them.

This website includes a brief description of how they work, although not much more than I have already said.

http://www.midsummerenergy.co.uk/solar-panel-information/Technical/MaximumPowerPointTracker

also http://www.shop.solar-wind.co.uk/acatalog/mppt_solar_charge_controllers.html

 

[RobBrown]

I have just fitted a solar panel and controller after getting a lot of good advice from here.

I think the Brocott controller does not use PWM. I wanted a cheapish two battery (house & bank) PWM or MPPT controller and the best price I found was on Ebay for £28.99 inc postage. With optional remote meter, rather like Vyv Cox's set up, £68 (as I'm a cheapskate, I didn't add that). Now fitted & seems to be working well.

Cheapest single battery MPPT Controller was also on Ebay, for £50.

 

[Monique]

Thank you all....

I cancelled my previous order and placed an order for a 70 watt flex solar panel with MPPT controller.

 

[pelissima]

Thank you all....

I cancelled my previous order and placed an order for a 70 watt flex solar panel with MPPT controller.

I wish you could be more specific- if you can of course (source, dimentions, prices perhaps. Also how does this option compares against 2 times 30 or 32 or 35 W with MPPT in terms of pricing, size and expectation of Amperage put back per day)

 

[ghostlymoron]

Seateach are very competitive on solar panels