Solar

M

mikegray

Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2015
Messages
17
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Vessel Name
T-Rhea
I’m sure this is an old topic for some, and one I didn’t need to pay much attention too. We’re giving up our slip next year and going in a mooring at our yacht club. I currently have the 160 watt panel with the duo controller. I’d like to be able to keep at least 1 fridge going and the batteries charged while on the mooring for next season. From what I’ve read some have upgraded to 2-200 watt panels with a mppt controller. This is along the lines of what I’m thinking. Questions I have, if I wire them in series I can use the existing wiring, what is a decent 200 watt panels, brackets to mount 2 new panels in place of the existing.

Thanks for any advice
Mike
T Rhea
 
I just recently upgraded to a Victron Energy 100/30 MPPT controller. Very happy with it. Paired it with a Renogy Shadowflux 200 watt panel. I hit 193 watts on that just the other day. I used the Gemini mounts from Defender Marine, very happy with them. Much easier for me than Sea Dog. I installed the mounts on the panel at home. I then measured the distance and adjusted the cross bar rails on the boat to match. With a little help from the first mate we got the panel up easily.

I will likely add another panel for a total of 400 watt capacity soon, but I'm in no hurry. Even the one panel keeps up with my fridge. I find that to be the biggest draw on my boat.

I just threw a moving blanket over the old panel when doing the upgrade. That shut it down to nothing.

My boat wiring is 10 gauge. I believe that is sufficient for two 200 watt panels.

I didn't have MC4 type connectors on my original installation. I bought the Bouge RV kit and added those. Now when I upgrade to a second panel It will be easy.

-martin610
 
mikegray said:
I’m sure this is an old topic for some, and one I didn’t need to pay much attention too. We’re giving up our slip next year and going in a mooring at our yacht club. I currently have the 160 watt panel with the duo controller. I’d like to be able to keep at least 1 fridge going and the batteries charged while on the mooring for next season. From what I’ve read some have upgraded to 2-200 watt panels with a mppt controller. This is along the lines of what I’m thinking. Questions I have, if I wire them in series I can use the existing wiring, what is a decent 200 watt panels, brackets to mount 2 new panels in place of the existing.

Thanks for any advice
Mike
T Rhea
Click to expand...

This would be a good video to watch which answers your questions.

Upgrade your boating experience with solar
 
mikegray said:
I’m sure this is an old topic for some, and one I didn’t need to pay much attention too. We’re giving up our slip next year and going in a mooring at our yacht club. I currently have the 160 watt panel with the duo controller. I’d like to be able to keep at least 1 fridge going and the batteries charged while on the mooring for next season. From what I’ve read some have upgraded to 2-200 watt panels with a mppt controller. This is along the lines of what I’m thinking. Questions I have, if I wire them in series I can use the existing wiring, what is a decent 200 watt panels, brackets to mount 2 new panels in place of the existing.

Thanks for any advice
Mike
T Rhea
Click to expand...

I disconnected Channel Surfing from shorepower this season on May 20, 2025. I didn't reconnect to shorepower until September 1, 2025.
I have two refrigerators running (cabin and cockpit). We turn things off when we're not using them, but I left DC power running the entire time (we left our refrigerators full of food, as we boat so often, so they stay running most of the year). This was whether we were on the boat, anchored, or the boat was kept at Dagmars, out of the water, on blocks, in full sunlight.

I have 420 watts of solar (2x210 watt panels, connected in series). I have a VIctron MPPT 150/35 Smartsolar controller. I have 320 ah of LFP, and generally will lose 15% SOC through the night, only to put it back in the next day via solar. The batteries stayed above 80% SOC most of the time (except when we're out using the boat, in which case I've been down as low as 23% SOC).

All the details about my setup are published here:

Solar Panels | LetsGoChannelSurfing

www.letsgochannelsurfing.com www.letsgochannelsurfing.com
 
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