R31CB Solar

[eriknelson3]

I've seen a number of posts on increasing the solar capability of other RT's. Curious if anybody has done a mod for increasing the solar capability on a R31CB? We've recently purchased a 2022 R31CB and we're curious about expanding.

Any experience out there?

Erik Nelson
Owner Invictus

 

[sailor1man]

I've seen a number of posts on increasing the solar capability of other RT's. Curious if anybody has done a mod for increasing the solar capability on a R31CB? We've recently purchased a 2022 R31CB and we're curious about expanding.

Any experience out there?

Erik Nelson
Owner Invictus

Sunpower maxeon 3, 415 watt just fits between hatches on roof and between radar dome when down and end of roof. I took of existing rails and mounts, filled holes, and used 1” OD 316L ss tube 16 gauge from amazon--three 4’ lengths and cut down, six 316 ss handrail fitting center mount from amazon for 1” tubing, and six Seadog pipe support brackets (327-190-1). Victron 100/50 MPPT solar controller with a double pole breaker underneath cockpit sink (Miniature Circuit Breaker, 2 Pole 500V 20 Amp Isolator for Solar PV System, Thermal Magnetic Trip, DIN Rail Mount, Chtaixi DC Disconnect Switch C20 ) from amazon, and a Blue Seas 187 series surface mount circuit breaker, 50 amps, in port lazarette between solar controller and house battery. Panel has 12 awg pigtails, which i joined to exising 10AWG wire which i re-routed from stb lazarette to under cockpit sink circuit breaker, then 8 AWG wire across to port lazarette location of solar controller and breaker. I mounted controller and breaker to a piece of wood epoxied to inside wall next to house battery. I also installed a Balmar SG200 battery monitor with two shunts so i see full data for the house bank and the two battery thurster bank, as well as digital voltage for the start battery. Existing analog voltmeter is useless. You need to install a negative bus above the controller when installing the shunt for the house bank as the shunt has to be the last wire to the battery, this provided a location for negative from solar controller. Mount pipe support brackets to panel, insert tubes and pipe support brackets, then mark forward hole on one side, drill and screw in, then mark and drill aft hole on that side to fix location, then after screwing in them mark and drill other holes. There is wood underneath gelcoat on roof fore and aft ridges. Panel, combined with a 160 amp mastervolt combimaster charger/inverter and mastervolt easyview 5 panel provides enough power to charge my 7 115 Rolls amphour agm batteries. Balmar sg200 and easyview 5 mount on aisle side of DC switch panel in lieu of old solar display and inverter/charger display.​