Very interesting. Is there any data on how much additional AH from one of these units compared to a conventional controller? We have a Sunforce 30 watt unit that came with the 4 80 watt panels. They cost about $70.
Quent

I installed a sunsaver MPPT controller on Navasana a few months ago. I have 2 X 54watt Kyeocera panels. Currently wired for 12v at 108 watts. With good sun the controller displays panels output at 17+ volts.
I have considered rewiring the panels to be 24v and letting the controller step the power down.
One concern on the MPPT unit is it has the ability to “equalize” the battery bank. But the equalization cycle is 14.5v for 3 hours. This is contrary to what I have read in the ample power bible….
On the plus side system “currently” seems keep up with my demand.

Eric Lorentzon
EFI Sales Development Manager
412.352.1941
Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 27, 2011, at 8:03 PM, “Patrick “Peaboy” Walters” wrote:

MPPT controllers on avg give you 30% more charge.

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On Sep 27, 2011, at 3:50 PM, quent wrote:

Very interesting. Is there any data on how much additional AH from one of these units compared to a conventional controller? We have a Sunforce 30 watt unit that came with the 4 80 watt panels. They cost about $70.
Quent

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Just a practical insert here.
Remember that as the sun rises and sets the output will slowly increase until mid afternoon and then taper off. You need to constantly change the angle of the panels to be lined up with the sun to get a good output though out the day ( if you want to hang around the boat all day). That all depends on the direction the boat is heading with respect to the sun. Consider the latitude your in at the time also. Up north at 45 degrees the output is not nearly as good as at 12 degrees. If your in the trades, at anchor and the boat is facing east or  if in the Northeast and the boat is in all different directions…..
I have a BlueSky controller and yes it greatly increased the output.
YMMV
Alan

— On Thu, 9/29/11, S V Navasana wrote:

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Where did you (and others) mount your panels?

Tor

I have 2 – 80 watt  (maybe 60 – I have CRS these days) panels mounted over the top of the davits. They are mounted on a pivot so the panels can be tilted about 30 degrees in either direction, although just fore and aft.
Alan

— On Fri, 9/30/11, Silverheels wrote:

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That’s what I’m thinking of doing. Got any photos?

Tor

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I have better pics someplace – If I can find em – If not I can get more next week when on the boat.
Alan

— On Fri, 9/30/11, Silverheels wrote:

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I may have mentioned this, but I have 2 – 135 watt panels, one on the dodger
and one on the davits. Neither is movable but are sort of flat. During (or
after, really) Hurricane Irene when we lost power for two days the panels
provided all of ships power (except water heating – I used the generator for
that). Down south, below about North Carolina, one panel did the job pretty
well requiring running the engine every 4 days or so. I expect it will be
longer with both panels. Except for hot water, which I really, really like.

Anyway, if the 270 watts isn’t enough, I can rotate the one on the davits 90
degrees and add one more. When I met my friends at Key West, they had three
panels and had to waste power – bread maker, rice maker, etc. I am all
about solar panels. Although, I have to say it’s been raining here for the
last two years, it feels like. Really, two weeks. But there’s been no
wind, either. Feh.

Bob

2011/9/30 Alan

Thanks, Alan. Do you find shadows are a problem on those panels?

Tor

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When on the hook or mooring mizzen is cleated to port or starboard to minimize shading.

Eric Lorentzon
EFI Sales Development Manager
412.352.1941
Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 30, 2011, at 8:01 PM, “Silverheels” wrote:

Eric,

Yes, I saw the mizzen was sheeted to one side on Alan’s photo and yours.
I guess that’s the best we can do.

Thanks for the photos. It’s pretty much what I have in mind for
Silverheels.

Tor

Tor,
The newer panels are much better at producing a good output even with shadows. It’s the way the individual cells are made and wired together. The older panels, not so much. My panels came with the boat, so I know they are not as effiecent  as the newer ones.
I do know that any panel, must be kept clean of dirt, dust and salt spray – so keep a bottle of Windex handy.
Alan

— On Sat, 10/1/11, Silverheels wrote:

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And bird doo. Apparently solar panels look like targets to birds.

Bob

On Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:08 AM, Alan wrote:

Thanks, Alan. I’ve heard the same about the newer panels, but have not
had a chance to research them yet.

Tor

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Some bird doo. Some don’t.