Comments on: Electromaax

By: sensor3

sensor3 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:25:26 +0000

Back to sending you positive vibes, sorry for the MJ break in them. Take care buddy.

Chris and Emily Waddles

By: Wade

Wade — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:22:52 +0000

Alex,
Fair enough. I think what I like most about your site is how you make do like the rest of us and do not always buy yourself out of a problem. Too many of us give up if things can’t be perfect. I believe you will be just fine. Wade

By: rhythmgypsysam@yahoo.com

rhythmgypsysam@yahoo.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:54:59 +0000

Tammy,

I watch the weather closely, but thanks. For those of you who want to keep an eye on it, check out:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

It’s a tricky time of year!

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:37:12 +0000

Wade,

I’m using a 10 gauge wire. I’ll wire them up without a controller until I can afford one. I’m looking at BZ products MPPT 500. It’s a 45amp controller and I can wire the panels up to be 24 volts to the controller. It is a bit more efficient that way.

By: splendid333@aol.com

splendid333@aol.com — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:58:16 +0000

Pay attention to weather. Something tropical may be brewing for the gulf.

Tammy

By: Wade

Wade — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:50:51 +0000

Hey Alex,
I used to design and install residential photovoltaic systems in the 90’s. If you stay on your toes you could get away without a charge controller. I would never be able to pull it off and would eventually forget to turn of my panels. I am sure you did load sheets and all that. What size battery bank are we talking about? That said my unsolicited advice would be go with a controller for the peace of mind. It’s like fishing without a license, too stressful for me. By the way we had a saying in the biz, “A battery never dies a natural death. They are all murdered.” I’m sure you get my point. Sail slow and live far (or whatever) Take care, Wade

By: sensor3

sensor3 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:39:51 +0000

Sorry Alex, Emily and I are sending the positive vibes to Michael Jackson’s family. We will shift them your way soon I promise.

By: tony@tonypix.com

tony@tonypix.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:51:44 +0000

Hey Alex,
Well I gotta go along with what the “engineer” says about, at the very minimum, getting some kind of controller even if its just a cheapie to protect your lead acid investment. (although I don’t know what running a train has to do with solar power) :)
In the long run however. The much higher efficiency of the mppt is going to save you a lot of diesel bucks. With solar panels it’s all about controlling power and that’s what the mppt does best. With more manufacturers making these things I’ve seen some pretty good deals. I’ll bet you could even find Blue Sky’s 25Amp job for under$250 if ya shop around.
This from just a lowly ex submarine nuke electrician (I know, I know. Not too may solar panels on a submarine) :)
Tony

By: cirwin@rfmd.com

cirwin@rfmd.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:43:02 +0000

Alex, I should add: thanks for sharing your solar and charging stuff here – it fits with what you where aiming to do both in allowing you to unplug, but also encouraging and helping other people to do the same. It’s great to see someone putting their money and effort where their mouth is!

On the charge controller subject, maybe there’s someone reading who works for one of those companies that could get you one as a sponsorship thing.

By: cirwin@rfmd.com

cirwin@rfmd.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:35:05 +0000

Alex, I think you have to use a charge controller. Go for the MPPT one for the current boost if you like, otherwise a switch mode type is fine, they run cool because they don’t need to dissipate a whole lot of power. With your 2 panels you’ll be pumping over 10 amps into the batteries on an average day, and no matter the size of you battery bank, that’ll overcharge and cook them if you happen to not use your expected load per day. What happens when you run your motor all day in the ICW? It’ll charge the batteries then you”ll be pumping 10 amps in on top of that. Get yourself a cheap SUNSEI 25A controller for now if nothing else – for around $50 you’ll protect hundreds of dollars of batteries.
The other thing is the battery voltage will go above the normal maximum during overcharge, and that could blow all your electrical stuff which isn’t rated for it. Remember the solar panel can put out about 22V! It’s just too much current to go unregulated! Take it from an engineer, you have to do this, or fit an isolation switch and watch your voltage every minute.