Solar Generation under shrink wrap

Craigmconrad

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2020
Messages
171
Fluid Motion Model
R-23 (Outboard)
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2320H920
Vessel Name
Touch & Go
MMSI Number
338383265
I was curious about what to do with the batteries for the winter. Do I remove and store on trickle charger in garage? or leave on boat and apply a charge once a month? or do I see what my solar would do under the shrink wrap. I have seen mixed results from posts on getting any solar generation while under wrap. I wrapped the boat (R23) on Nov 10th. I just went to the storage yard today (Nov 22) to check on the batteries. All batteries (House, Eng, Thruster) were reading 12.79, 12.81 and 12.84. I was quite happy. The Victron app showed an average daily production of 30Wh which equates to 2.5Ah (I think). Max Battery voltage is usually 14.3 with a low of around 12.8 (AM Reading). I will continue to monitor weekly, but I am confident the 210W solar panel and the Smartsolar 100/30 charger will be enough over the winter.

On a side note, my electrical system has no ACR between the House and Engine Batteries because of the dual charging from the Y200. So I turned on the parallel switch in order to get the solar to charge the House and Engine with the ACR charging the Thruster. Not ideal leaving the parallel switch on, but will come up with a fix in the spring.
 
You may find that 2.5Ah production is plenty to keep your batteries topped off even while under shrink wrap. WRT the trickle charger, you need to be very careful. Traditional old style trickle chargers output one voltage which can be harmful to your batteries. If your garage charger is "smart" and knows how to output bulk/absorption/float voltages then you should be okay. My question for you is, with the boat on the hard, what is your worry about having the Parallel switch ON to charge all the batteries? Gary
 
GaylesFaerie":169wdby2 said:
You may find that 2.5Ah production is plenty to keep your batteries topped off even while under shrink wrap. WRT the trickle charger, you need to be very careful. Traditional old style trickle chargers output one voltage which can be harmful to your batteries. If your garage charger is "smart" and knows how to output bulk/absorption/float voltages then you should be okay. My question for you is, with the boat on the hard, what is your worry about having the Parallel switch ON to charge all the batteries? Gary

So the Solar Charger is smart, and pretty much is in bulk mode sending everything it's got to the batteries during the day. I am also hesitant to use the Emergency Parallel and keeping it on, just in case there is a draw somewhere. I don't want to deplete both house and engine. At least, the ACR has a safety function built in to open when it detects a certain voltage where the parallel does not.
 
You may want to pull the fuses on the items that stay powered even when everything is off. They draw very little, but can add up over time.
 
I have had very good luck with my batteries over five winters with solar charger under shrink wrap.
Typical amperage is between 0.4 and 0.8 amps in sunny conditions. (I'm also in Maryland and winters are not always that sunny.) Stand-by voltages were always in the 12.7 range. When solar was working the voltages came up and the ACR's all connected the three banks.

My batteries were used when I bought the boat in 2016 and they lasted until 2021 when two of them wouldn't hold a charge.
So I'm not complaining.

I did shut everything off, all battery switches off and pulled a couple of the "constant connected" fuses like the gas sensors and alarms. Don't know if that helps or not.
 
Thanks, I have everything I can have disconnected (24/7 fuses, in-line fuse for Pod Bilge). Smartshunt is showing zero draw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hi Craig,

Looks like you may have come across a system that is working for you. We usually don't recommend depending on solar charging when under shrink wrap, but if it is working for you then that is what matters. I would simply keep an eye on the weather if you happen to end up with any notable amount of dark, dreary days. As others have mentioned, do remove the fuses for items on the 24/7 panel that are not being used, and this will help keep the draw to a minimum. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf
 
919c15ad2446fbd2be2d1ffb17dbd766.jpg

a23a1c738b5d5bc9adab0cd40c237c68.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Just an update. Panels generating plenty under the wrap.

3b6c512d6b591b630c8fe4458c833617.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top