Good day everyone. I was wondering where you all have been routing solar panel wiring, when solar panels are located on top of Bimini. I'm using light, flexible panels, and placing them towards the front of the Bimini, between the intermediate and forward bow, then running the wire down a side of the tube. Not sure weather to go starboard or port with the wires, and also looking for solution to get the wires inside the boat. My batteries are located under starboard aft settee in the salon, just forward of the charttable.
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Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA
For routing inside, have you thought about solar accessories on Defender, particularly Go Power designed for the RV market?
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?name=solar-accessories&path=-1|328|2290044&id=2290045
I've cut into the deck in that area for repairing a leak at the genoa turning block, and you do not want to go there -- in addition to serious fiberglass, there's at least 3/4" of marine plywood over the entire area. It may not be as neat, but how about routing it into the little cubby on the starboard side then through the overhead of the stern cabin, down inside the stern cabin hanging locker, and behind the nav station to the controller and battery area. I was plotting this route for a remote VHF mike, and it looks pretty accessible. Where are you mounting your solar controller anyhow? When you decide, pls post some photos so the rest of us can learn.
John Parsons
"Water Music" 1999 Catalina 36 Mk II - Hull 1771
Tall Rig, Fin Keel
Bay City, MI, USA
Depends on where I route the cable. On starboard side, probably mount MPPT in aft cabin hanging locker. If port side, thinking of the cockpit locker. Which brings another question. Would it be a good idea to connect the PV wires to the battery charger, to allow the battery charger wires that go to the battery to charge the batteries while using solar? The largest cable the MPPT will accept is 10 gauge.
basically, I would run PV cables to MPPT, then battery side of MPPT to the charger, on the same terminals where the cables that would charge the batteries from the charger are located. Electrically it would flow, but not sure of voltage drop, and if the charger were turned on, would it hurt the MPPT?
Like I said, I plan on putting the solar on the forward half of the Bimini top. If I run them through the cockpit near the genoa turning block, I would only have to drill 1 hole down to the aft cabin. Not the most preferred location, but would give the shortest run to the batteries with 10ga wire.
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA
I ran the wires for the solar panel and WIFI booster down the starboard backstay. The wires and backstay are covered with pipe insulation. The pipe insulation has a Sunbrella cover. The wires enter a vent hole for the rear locker. The clam-shell cover for the vent hole is not on in the attached picture.
The controller is flush mounted above the electrical panel over the chart table.
Nile Schneider
Mañana C36 #1798
Lake Champlain, VT
Thanks for the info. Might be a good idea for me to do as well. What gauge wire are you using from the solar to the controller?
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA
I used cables similar to this one on Amazon. Panels came with the same connectors. Cable is 10AWG.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KDQTH28/ref=asc_df_B00KDQTH285051290/?tag=h...
Nile Schneider
Mañana C36 #1798
Lake Champlain, VT
How long is the cable run with 10ga? Also has anyone used 8 gauge, then stepped down to 10 gauge near the controller?
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA