[Rhodes22-list] Owners manual for newer boat Solar panel thoughts, may be above my pay grade.

Sun Jan 10 17:22:11 EST 2010

Rod

My R2009 came with two new batteries and two solar panels.  I  believe both
solar panels are wired together and charge battery #2.  Battery #2 is
coonected direct to my electric start outboard and electric lift without
going through the main electrical bus or switch.  This way Battery #2 is
always receives a charge from the solar panels and outboard.  Battery #1, my
house  battery and battery #2 can provide power to my main electrical bus
via the main switch either as both, 1, 2 or off no power to the bus.  I
leave the main switch on both when not on the boat and under power so that
the charge from the solar panels and outboard charges battery #2 and through
battery #2 to charge battery #1.  If I left the switch in any other
position, off, 1, or 2 then only battery #2 would recieve the charge. 
Basicaly battery #2 charges battery #1 by having them connected together. 
While i don't have a battery monitor or regulator i don't think I have had
any problems with over charging the batteries or reverse charging the solar
panels.  At some point I might add a battery monitor and shore power charger
but so far my first season I have had plenty of power to fit my needs.  From
what I have read it seems important for  both batteries to  be the same type
and same quality so they can work well together.  

Ellner wrote:
> 
> Gregg MacMillan wrote:
>> On Jan 9, 2010, at 12:10 PM, Ellner wrote:
>>   
>>>  I am looking for a newer version of the owners manual.
>>>     
>>
>>   
> 
> Thanks for your effort. That is what I was looking for. The manual is 
> always a good read, especially during the off season  There are a few 
> differences from the 1988 version.   I plan on changing to the "vertical 
> cam cleat" on the main out haul line on the boom.  On my boat has the 
> main furling line secures to the small cleats on the bottom of the 
> boom.  I have considered a cam or clam cleat.  How are  the newer boats 
> rigged?  
> 
> I would like to read the owners manual for the solar panels if there is 
> one.   As I understand it one panel goes directly to #1 battery (front 
> battery)  and the other  goes to the rear battery.#2.   I also have a 
> battery selector switch; position choices. off, both, #1, #2.  I am 
> thinking to save one battery from the other battery going bad (ie.not 
> holding a charge)one should turn the battery switch to off when not 
> using the boat.  Otherwise  one panel would be charging battery A and 
> the other panel would be charging battery B but if the selector switch 
> is in the "both" position the bad battery would be drawing off the good 
> battery leaving both batteries discharged.  Does that sound reasonable?
> If the selector switch is  at #1 OR #2 OR off position the good battery 
> would accept and hold a charge and the bad battery would not. In that 
> case the "good battery' would have and hold a charge and the "bad 
> battery" might take a charge, or not, and not hold a charge.  My 
> situation is; My outboard is a manual start so a starting battery is not 
> needed.  I have two gp 27 deep cycle batteries on boat. One was new and 
> the other was an older battery.  Typically I did not turn the battery 
> selector to the "off" position. At one  time I had turned the selector  
> to "off" when I left the boat.  The next time I was on the boat I 
> thought I had a total power failure. Much later in my search for the 
> problem I turned the switch to another position other than off. Who 
> would have ever thought ...!!    
> 
> The first sign I  noticed I was having battery problems was when early 
> in the morning while getting the boat ready to leave the mooring  I 
> would turn the marine radio and the GPS/fish finder on.  Either they 
> would not work or the gps would give me a low battery alert.  I would 
> turn them both off and go sailing.  Later one or both would work.  I 
> think at that time the sun had gotten high enough to produce enough 
> power to run one or both of them. I don't thing either of them have much 
> of an electrical draw.  The batteries may accept a charge but probably 
> would not hold a charge for long.  
> 
>  What I did wrong.    I should not have mixed a new battery with an 
> older one.  I should have turned the battery switch to "off" when not on 
> the boat. That would have isolated the "bad" battery sooner.  Instead of 
> thinking I had a bad battery I was thinking the solar panels were 
> drawing off  the battery charge at night. That would not be possible 
> because of the diodes.  What I did 
> right.................................I am still thinking!!
> 
> To make a long story short.. too late for that. Whew.   Does anyone have 
> any thoughts on this situation?    I have a bad case of cabin fever. 
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Rod Ellner
> Toy Blew 1987/2009
>  
> 
> 
>> I'm pretty sure this is the most current version:
>>
>> http://files.me.com/macmillan/jcolub
>>
>> --Gregg
>>
>> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _/) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>> T e c h n e G r a p h i c s, I n c.
>> 1 . 8 0 0 . 7 7 1 . 3 1 7 1
>> 2002 Ford Circle, Milford, OH  45150
>> mailto:gjm at techgra.com
>> http://www.techgra.com
>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/macmillan
>> twitter: http://twitter.com/greggmac
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>>
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