[Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell Replacement/Charger

Rick sloopblueheron at gmail.com
Mon Jul 23 20:17:53 EDT 2012


Chas,

Put an amp meter in the circuit, then cover the solar panel.  If the
current reverses, you have no diode.

Rick

On Mon, Jul 23, 2012 at 3:18 PM, Lowe, Rob <rlowe at vt.edu> wrote:

> And these things are not very big.  Probably a quarter inch in diameter by
> a half inch (for the body itself) at this power rating.  Might even be
> covered with electrical tape and not be visible. - rob
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:
> rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of R22RumRunner at aol.com
> Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 2:26 PM
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell Replacement/Charger
>
> _
> http://www.google.com/search?q=diode&hl=en&prmd=imvnsr&tbm=isch&tbo=u&sourc
> e=univ&sa=X&ei=CpcNUO7GCdK7hAeQsoHoCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CG8QsAQ&biw=1175&bih=740_
> (
> http://www.google.com/search?q=diode&hl=en&prmd=imvnsr&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source
> =univ&sa=X&ei=CpcNUO7GCdK7hAeQsoHoCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CG8QsAQ&biw=1175&bih=740)
>
>
> In a message dated 7/23/2012 2:20:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> blue66corvette at hotmail.com writes:
>
>
> Rummy
> What does the diode look  like?
>
> Chas
>
>
> > From: R22RumRunner at aol.com
> > Date:  Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:54:57 -0400
> > To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> >  Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell Replacement/Charger
> >
> >  Charles,
> > If the solar panels are factory installed, they did not come  with the
> > charge controller, but probably have a diode somewhere along  the line
> > to prevent the batteries from discharging. Diodes have zero
> > resistance to
> electrical
> > passage in one direction, but high  resistance in the opposite. Solar
> > panels generate electricity when  it's sunny out, but they can also
> discharge the
> > battery during times  of cloudiness or darkness, hence the need for a
> diode
> > or controller.  My boat came with one solar panel and the diode was
> > installed next to  the water tank under the v-berth mounted against
> > the
> flotation
> >  wall.
> > If I were still using a solar panel I would install the charge
> controller
> > to prevent over charging which can easily destroy a  battery(s).
> >
> > Rummy
> >
> >
> > In a message  dated 7/23/2012 10:31:19 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> > rlowe at vt.edu  writes:
> >
> > Charles,
> > Not all solar panels and batteries  will have charger controllers. I
> > forgot what the rule of thumb is  (I'll look later) but it the wattage
> > of
> the
> > panel does not exceed XX  of the battery amperage, no controller is
> needed. So
> > don't assume you  have one. All the Rhodes boats that I can recall
> > having one was  either added by the owner or was related to shore
> > power. The
> wires
> >  from the panels likely run to your battery located mid boat. Your laz
> > battery likely just goes to your motor, I assume you have electric
> start? -  rob
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:  rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> >  [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Charles
> > Nieman
> > Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 11:23 AM
> > To: Rhodes  List
> > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell  Replacement/Charger
> >
> >
> > AlLast year you posted that you  were going to replace your solar panels.
> I
> > have a 98 Rhodes and it  seems it is time to replace my solar panels.
> There
> > was discussion  about a controller to prevent overcharging the batteries.
> I
> > cannot  find where Stan installed a controller nor can I find the wire
> > coming  from the panels to the batteries.
> >
> > I was wondering what you  found when you replaced your panels and how
> > you went about rerunning  the wiring. Did you use the old wire to pull
> > the
> new
> > wire or did you  splice the new wire to the existing wire near the panel.
> > Where did  you mount the charge controller (I'm guessing that you
> purchased and
> >  installed one)
> >
> > Thanks in advance for the help.
> >
> > Charles
> > 98R22
> > s/v Daydream
> >
> >
> >  > From: al_shell at tampabay.rr.com
> > > To:  rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> > > Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2011 22:09:10  -0400
> > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell  Replacement/Charger
> > >
> > > Bob,
> > > Great to  hear. Thirty bucks not spent on a second charge controller
> > > stays  in the pocket. Well, until the next item on the project list!
> > >  Thanks,
> > > Al
> > > Mishka 01
> > >
> > > On  Wed, 2011-11-02 at 19:41 -0400, Bob Keller wrote:
> > > >  Al,
> > > > I have one for both. Have not had a problem since Rummy  & I
> installed
> > it probably 8 years ago.
> > > >  BK
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > From:  al_shell at tampabay.rr.com
> > > > > To:  rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> > > > > Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011  22:02:11 -0400
> > > > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Cell  Replacement/Charger
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks all  for the great info. I'll check the panels this
> > > > > weekend
> for
> > > >  > the output voltage with a multimeter. I saw a charge controller
> > > > at
>
> > West
> > > > > Marine that fits the description of the  one below. Can one
> > > > > charge controller handle both GB  solar panels (parallel ?) to
> > > > > both
> > batteries or
> > > > >  do I need one charge controller per panel per battery? Either
> > > > > way,
> >  $60
> > > > > is not a bad deal to keep the batteries charged  properly.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks again for the  great advice.
> > > > > Al
> > > > > Mishka  01
> > > > >
> > > > > On Mon, 2011-10-31 at 15:41  -0400, Rick wrote:
> > > > > > I second the need for a charge  controller. I found even a 3
> > > > > > watt
> > charge at
> > > > >  > the high voltage produced by the solar panel mid summer kills
> the
> > battery.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >  Just be sure when hooking the battery to the solar panel
> > > > > > circuit
> > that  no
> > > > > > charge is coming off the panel. A seat cushion  covering the
> panel
> > assures
> > > > > > the controller  correctly calibrates when hooked up to the
> battery.
> > > > >  >
> > > > > > Rick
> > > > > >
> >  > > > > On Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 10:34 AM,  <R22RumRunner at aol.com>
> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > >  > > > > Al,
> > > > > > > You definitely need a  charge controller. I helped Capt.
> > > > > > > Keller
> > install one
> > >  > > > > on his Rhodes. Prior to that he was going through
> > > batteries
> on a
> > regular
> > > > > > > basis. Now  with the controller they don't over charge or
> > discharge when
> >  > > > > > it's
> > > > > > > cloudy. The  cheapest one is around thirty bucks and will
> handle
> > panels up
> >  > > > > > to 100 watts, or 7 amps.
> > > > > >  > I would test the current solar cells to see if they are
> > > > > > still
> >  functioning.
> > > > > > > Newer cells might be more  efficient if yours are really old.
> > Size and
> > > > >  > > output are all that matters. I'm sure Stan would be willing
> > > > > to
>
> > help you
> > > > > > > out, but
> > > >  > > > there are other outlets. Solar panels for marine
> > > > installations
>
> > have
> > > > > > > connections that are built to  withstand the marine
> environment.
> > > > > > >
> >  > > > > > Rummy
> > > > > > >
> > >  > > > >
> > > > > > > In a message dated  10/29/2011 9:32:40 P.M. Eastern Daylight
> > Time,
> > > > >  > > al_shell at tampabay.rr.com writes:
> > > > > >  >
> > > > > > > Hello All,
> > > > > >  >
> > > > > > > Mishka, our 2001 Rhodes, has been on her  trailer far too long.
> > > > > > > Fortunately, I have had  the Rhodes list to keep me engaged!
> > > > > > > I
> am
> > now
> > > > >  > > working on her project list and have a target date of late
> >  summer next
> > > > > > > year to be sailing again.
> >  > > > > >
> > > > > > > I have many  questions but power and wiring are first on the
> > list.
> > >  > > > >
> > > > > > > The solar panels have  been in the weather since we bought
> > > > > > > her
> > from Stan
> > > >  > > > and likely need to be replaced. I wonder if anyone can tell
> > > > me
>
> > what
> > > > > > > make/wattage the solar panels  are that Stan provides as
> original
> > > > > > > equipment.  And where they can be had. Does GB sell them? Cost?
> > Maybe
> >  > > > > > they don't need to be replaced?
> > > >  > > >
> > > > > > > Also, has anyone had  experience with any solar cell
> > charger/controllers
> > > >  > > > on the market. I understand that they keep a battery better
> > charged for
> > > > > > > longer life.
> >  > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks in  advance,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >  Al
> > > > > > > s/v Mishka 01
> > > > > >  >
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