I've been digging through posts trying to get a handle on MPPT controllers, how they vary voltage to put the most amps into batteries as efficiently as possible as well as high quality solar panels that I'm hoping can stand up to the harsh marine environment of sailing at sea. I'm hoping for some thoughts and guidance as I'm very new to this, but about to outfit my sailboat soon for a circumnavigation and would like to add a serious solar panel array to my pair of DuoGen wind generators. I'd like to be totally self-sufficient with just the solar panels and not consider any additional input from the wind generators other than how to hook the two systems together so that the MPPT controllers don't sense the additional load and cause inaccurate charging so that I always protect my batteries.
Power for all needs on a 50 ft. sailboat:
- I will have a total of between 6-8 MasterVolt AGM Super 8D batteries installed soon (12-volt, 270AH each)
- I’m considering purchasing 6-8 Kyocera 300 watt solar panels (or larger as this changes quickly) to provide ample solar charging for these batteries based on my power consumption (1 panel per battery)
- I’m considering purchasing 6-8 Morningstar TS-MPPT-45 controllers (1 for each panel at this point), some other MPPT controller, less than 6-8 if possible?
- I will not have a generator onboard, but will have an inverter to provide power for a few A/C needs, but most items are D/C
Configuration:
1. Multiple battery banks to pull batteries out of the mix for house power until they are charged (Batteries prevented from dropping below 50% charge)
2. Charging can happen for batteries both in and out of the mix for house power
3. I’m willing to shell out bucks for heavy gauge wiring to provide a wider range of voltage for the MPPT controllers to facilitate charging from panels to batteries
What is the best way to hook up multiple panels and multiple MPPT controllers to create an ideal system?
Power for all needs on a 50 ft. sailboat:
- I will have a total of between 6-8 MasterVolt AGM Super 8D batteries installed soon (12-volt, 270AH each)
- I’m considering purchasing 6-8 Kyocera 300 watt solar panels (or larger as this changes quickly) to provide ample solar charging for these batteries based on my power consumption (1 panel per battery)
- I’m considering purchasing 6-8 Morningstar TS-MPPT-45 controllers (1 for each panel at this point), some other MPPT controller, less than 6-8 if possible?
- I will not have a generator onboard, but will have an inverter to provide power for a few A/C needs, but most items are D/C
Configuration:
1. Multiple battery banks to pull batteries out of the mix for house power until they are charged (Batteries prevented from dropping below 50% charge)
2. Charging can happen for batteries both in and out of the mix for house power
3. I’m willing to shell out bucks for heavy gauge wiring to provide a wider range of voltage for the MPPT controllers to facilitate charging from panels to batteries
What is the best way to hook up multiple panels and multiple MPPT controllers to create an ideal system?
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