Solar Panels

[Jim and Jackie]

What solar panels are installed on R-29s and R 31s? What are the specs and dimensions? Want to add a panel to my 2010 R-29.

Jim Demerest
2010 R29 Chessie

 

[Andrew Custis]

Hello. We use a Kyocera panel controlled by a Morningstar controller. I believe we now install the 145 watt panel. If you contact our parts department he could give you exact part numbers.

Parts@rangertugs.com.

Thank you!

 

[MooniesBBQ]

Andrew, I'm curious if you guys have looked into an MPPT charge controller over the current PWM controller you guys install. I added a MPPT controller to my cabin in north georgia and ran the 4x100watt panels in series and I'm producing about 30% more power during the day over a PWM controller. I'm able to use smaller, less expensive wire because my panels put out almost 80v DC at about 6 amps. The controller converts that to 13v at about 29 amps into the battery. Since my panels put out over 12v even early in the morning I'm able to charge the batteries for a longer time period during the day. Would an MPPT controller be over kill for a Tug application?

Moonie

 

[Larry H]

Andrew,
My 'new to me' 2014 R-27 has one 135 watt panel. I would like to add a second panel. Can the existing controller support a second panel? Does the wiring from the second panel connect under the first panel, or is roof disassembly required?

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Larry,

I added a second solar panel to our 2014 R27 using the existing Morningstar controller. The controller will handle up to 25 amps and each panel puts out a maximum of about 11 amps. The newer panel has a little greater power but the voltage specs are similar and the supplier said they were similar enough to use on the same controller. The panels connect in parallel directly between each other. No need to get into the wiring on the boat. Easy peasy other than adding the mounts in the correct location to catch the sport rack rails and squeezing up there on your back to install. Do as much as much as you can before you heft it up there (add wires and mounts to the new panel on the bench). Cover the panels with cardboard or something similar when you are working on the wiring or you may get a surprise spark or even blow a fuse! Even interior lights will generate a voltage (though little current) and there is no way to turn them off other than covering them from light.

Feel free to PM me if you have questions and I'll try to help. Good luck!

Curt

 

[Larry H]

Curt,

Thanks for the reply. Nice to know that I don't have to open the roof structure. My solar project is still a couple of weeks away, but I will PM you if I have any questions. I see from your photo album that you added the 2nd solar panel to run a cockpit freezer. What freezer did you get? And do the two panels supply enough power for the boat, refrigerator and freezer?

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Larry,

We have a Engle 12 volt freezer in the port cockpit locker.

https://www.engelcoolers.com/mr040f...dtfFE6D-KiGcrls9JXq7pHMUGghbpXAkHUaAh6z8P8HAQ

Haven't had the boat out overnight yet since we added the new panel so I can't say yet. Just added the second panel last winter. With one panel I could make it overnight with both running but just one night. Had to recharge by running the engine to avoid stressing the batteries. We want to be able to be grid free indefinitely. Note that once the food in the freezer is fully frozen you can get away with shutting it off over night if you don't open it. It has really good insulation. You have to turn it on first thing in the morning though to keep things from thawing.

Curt

 

[Jim and Jackie]

Andrew,

Thanks for the information. Looking at some of the other posts in this thread I have been looking at different MPPT controllers. There is a Victron that has a bluetooth interface and the Blueseas.

Jim Demerest
2010 R29 Chessie

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Jim,

If I were to install from scratch I would go with an MPPT system. The PWM system we have from the factory works fine but if I was going to the trouble of installing something new I would choose the higher efficiency system. A bit more money though.

Curt

 

[bakerboat]

I'm in the midst of an upgrade to the factory system on our 2014 R27. I'm installing (3) Grape Solar 180W panels and a Blue Sky 3024iL controller with an IPN-ProRemote (w/ shunt). This is similar to what we had on our catamaran which worked very well. The aft bulkhead of the cave will become
electrical central as I don't like any electronics in a 'wet locker'. The factory supplied inverter died recently and has been replaced with a Victron Energy 2000W inverter/charger which provides 80A of battery charging at the dock or about 40A on the genset. It's located in the cave as well.