[Rhodes22-list] Solar Panel Output

[Jay Friedland]

Michael; Bill-
Batteries are matched but 3 years difference, but I run the batt. 
switch (standard Guest 2-battery switch) on each batt. separate, then 
charge togehter. Wires between batteries are 10g., including to the 
alternator for the long run. This is why I've been thinking about the 
starter batt. in the lazarette. Does the WM combiner replace the Guest 
switch, and can it be used for 3 banks of batteries, or should I keep 
the "house" circuit (2 batteries) separate from dedicated "starter" 
(single)? West Marine lists theirs as 2 bank, 50A, but they also have a 
"Battery Isolator" is for 2 or 3 batteries which charges from the 
alternator togehter but isolates discharge from one to the next. Not 
sure which way.

Also, are the factory fixed solar panels .9 each?

Bill, the rewiring I first had done was to change white from neg to 
pos, black to neg throughout, so red or white were pos. (John at 
Edenton did houses in UK prior to GBI!) With the additional battery 
added and solar cells, I hope I'm back to red pos, black neg, but will 
do a full schematic this weekend for sure. We're planning to trace 
everything.

Jay

On Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at 06:51 PM, Michael Meltzer wrote:

> Jay, are they a matched set of batteries(i.e same 
> age/trype/brand/usage), most likey one is weeker then the other cause 
> the storger
> to try to recharge it until they are flat(i.e. one draining to the 
> other), it can be agrervatied by using to small a wire for to
> long a distance that cause a voltage drop. davids isolator will help 
> the problem.
>
> Second off, at 10 watt panal should be about .9 amps at 12 volts each.
>
> MJM
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jay Friedland" <a.jayf at verizon.net>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 6:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Panel Output
>
>
>> Thanks, Bill, I needed that!!!
>>
>> Seriously, I know I have a short some place but running checks across
>> all 6 circuits hasn't turned up anything. Without being able to 
>> isolate
>> it, I can only compensate right now. I know the cells aren't losing
>> much, just trying to hold what I can as a trickle charge. It's been
>> on-going since 1997, with some rewiring by a local marina guy, and 
>> then
>> at NC. Loss of voltage over weekend twice was after 1/2 hr.+ running
>> time on motor.
>>
>> Sat., I'll have a fresh set of eyes and meters. Next slip, an
>> electrical engr. will help this weekend. Trying to do most of this
>> without losing sailing time as well. You know what I have and it
>> doesn't make sense-
>> it's not that complicated. Will persevere till I nail it.
>> Jay
>>
>> On Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at 01:15 PM, Bill Effros wrote:
>>
>>> Jay,
>>>
>>> Roughly .2 amps in bright direct sunlight--.1 when overcast.
>>>
>>> You are overcomplicating this problem.
>>>
>>> I have essentially the same equipment and use.  You must have a short
>>> somewhere.  You are not losing this much power through your solar
>>> cells.  You are not using this much power with your lights and sound
>>> system.
>>>
>>> Your Yamaha should put more electricity into your system in 5 minutes
>>> of running than your solar cells are capable of losing the following
>>> night--and a fully charged 2 battery system should have enough 
>>> reserve
>>> power for more than 2 years of nights even if direct sunlight never
>>> falls on the solar cells during the day.
>>>
>>> My E-Meter measures the discharge of the solar cells at night.  It is
>>> accurate to .1--the discharge is less than that.  My system has
>>> remained fully charged day and night for more than 5 years (although
>>> the fully charged capacity has declined as the batteries have aged.)
>>>
>>> Find the short and stop fooling around.
>>>
>>> Bill
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Jay Friedland
>>> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 6:47 AM
>>> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Panel Output
>>>
>>>
>>> List-
>>> Can anyone tell me the output of the standard solar panels, I believe
>>> Solarex, used from the factory? I'm still having a problem with 
>>> voltage
>>> loss with a 2 battery, 2 panel system with switch. Using only nav
>>> lights and the 12v Cambridge Sound system, unable to start Yamaha
>>> engine, except manually. Contemplating adding Starter batt. isolated
>>> for engine only. I'm adding ICP charge controller this weekend as 
>>> well
>>> and take some measurements to see where I'm losing power.
>>> Thanks,
>>> jay
>>>
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>>
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