How would you set up the charging system for our solar panels?
In this episode the diesel leak defeats Liz, Jamie’s had enough of trying to get the brand-spanking-new bronze seacocks to fit, and we need your help on the solar panel installation.
In other news, Millie goes missing… again. Staying in a room in the marina while the boat work goes on means she is free to roam. But she has a habit of getting stuck in places she shouldn’t.
And when Ton cracks the acrylic it becomes a swearing and laughing contest between him, Tui and Jamie.
Become an FTB MATE for less than the price of a cuppa tea! 🍵
So we have this brand new array of solar panels on the bimini roof, along both sides of the stern and on top of the davits. They are going to need a considerable amount of new cabling, but how exactly should we tackle this, in particular what circuit breakers should we use and how should they be wired. Jamie takes us through his schematic, and asks for your ideas…
On the bright side, we’ve found a professional boat canvas worker, and he’s a long lost friend of Lek’s – it was quite a reunion.
One last message. We are now in the UK for a couple of weeks because Liz’s lovely dad passed away 23rd August. He was a great man, loved by his family.
Henry Forrester Cleere
Born 2.xii.1926
Died 23.viii.2018
“He taught me to laugh.” Liz Cleere
Peace and fair winds.
🎬 FTB SAILING CHANNEL – SUBSCRIBE!
📚 FTB E-BOOKS
🛒 FTB SHOP
🎦 FTB VIDEO KIT
Being an FTB MATE doesn’t float your boat? Please support us by sharing this post!
If you like our content and would like to support us, we will give you ad-free access to our videos before they go live to the public, discounts in our shop, access to Jamie’s iconic full-res photographs, and supporter-only blog posts. Click our ugly mugs for more info!
I’ve just discovered your entertaining and informative blog, thanks so much for allowing us to share in your adventures. When I was a young man it was always my dream to sail away on a yacht, although it didn’t happen for me, (I’ve had other adventures though), it’s allowed me to live that dream from a distance. Sorry to hear about your late father, it’s tough losing a parent, I’ve been there as well. I can’t help with the advice that you asked for IRO your solar installation, but I did want to say hello and will be following your adventures from now on. Safe travels.
Chris
There are 2 options to hook up solar panels. Series or parallel.
Series benefit is higher voltage to controller with smaller wire but if one panel is partially shaded, ALL panels have reduced output.
Parallel connections means larger wire is required to avoid voltage loses, but if one panel is shaded only that panel has lower output. Even rigging wire shadows can result in significant loss of output.
I chose parallel because of shading losses.
Good luck.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss Liz and Jamie, too. What a lovely gift from your father: “He taught me to laugh.”
Peace and Love ❤️🎉
Diane
Jamie, I would wire each set of panels in series rather than parallel. You can use smaller wire and a smaller breaker. You will have less power loss in the wiring and use less wire.
A single breaker in the positive circuit is all that is necessary.
We are still in Pangkor Marina working on our boat. New standing rigging, using dyneema. Rebuild Refrig box with vacuum panels and a lot of varnish.