solar panel charging batteries

[Carter Harrison]

Last summer I bought Ranger Tug 29' hull# FMLT2909F112. Does the panel automatically charge the batteries even when the battery switches are off?? I leave the boat on a mooring with the batteries off (but the bilge pumps are hard wired ). What do you recommend?

 

[R Baker]

Short answer is yes ! The system is set up so 90% go to the house and 10% to the starting battery.

 

[Andrew Custis]

Make sure your solar panel has a green light on the display and working as it should. Also, if leaving on a mooring do not use the bow chalks installed as we install them for tieing off at a dock and not on a mooring. Many times the mooring lines need to be larger and run forward and can chafe through. I see that you are in MA and if you bought from Peter, he will know what needs to be done and hopefully was already changed.

 

[Andrew Custis]

Also, I would recommend checking your bilge pumps in auto mode with main battery switches off before assuming all is ok. Would also recommend to remove the scupper screens as they clog easily which would cause the bilges to run more frequently. Packing gland adjustment? Make sure you have the proper drip rate. Just thinking of all the things that should be monitored frequently whether you are at a dock or on a mooring.

Enjoy this summer!

 

[bill46]

our r29 should have automatic charge relays, if one battery is over 13V alll get connected, if under 12.75, disconnect. So solar should be over 13 and charge all 3 batteries.

 

[baz]

...snip "bow chalks" installed ...snip...

bow chalks == bow chocks, right ???? 😉