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View Full Version : Solar Panel experts needed


Terryl
06-17-2021, 02:12 AM
OK Kids, I have a small problem, on the house boat we have a solar system setup to charge the battery bank for all the DC and AC electrical junk. <br />
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It's working fine, the problem I am running into...
The Noof
06-17-2021, 12:04 PM
How close are the solar powered batteries to the back-up generators battery?Are the solar batteries the 12volt type?
runamok
06-17-2021, 01:53 PM
Not sure how your battery is connected but the generator engine should only charge starting battery not solar panels.
loctite
06-17-2021, 02:56 PM
Your gen battery should not have to be connected to solar. The gen battery is charged during your monthly test. I would hook up a set of unconnected jumper wires to gen for times when gen battery...
Terryl
06-17-2021, 05:18 PM
How close are the solar powered batteries to the back-up generators battery?Are the solar batteries the 12volt type?


The main battery's are down in the flotation pods, and about 15 to 20 feet away, the generator is up on the second deck, the battery's are the AGM 12 volt type used for solar systems.
Terryl
06-17-2021, 05:29 PM
The generator battery is just big enough to start the generators engine, it is a SLA type, and enclosed in the generators housing, the generator would charge it's own battery but for some reason it...
The Noof
06-17-2021, 06:26 PM
Check to make sure that the genset is in fact charging the battery at all (13.0v to 14.3v of clean ripple free dc is good).If it is outputing to the battery properly,fully trickle charge the battery...
auggie
06-17-2021, 07:36 PM
Is there a way you could hook up one of those Battery Tender Units (cycles the Battery for longer Life) to keep the <br />
Genset Battery charged etc. Something like this or a solar one <br />
...
pennywise
06-17-2021, 08:25 PM
YOu may have a slow drain on the battery. It should not be going dead in a 30 or 60 day cycle. I would look for the problem first, slow drain on battery or bad battery and start there. You shouldn't...
Terryl
06-18-2021, 01:09 AM
Sorry Augie it would be a good idea, but it would have to be plugged into an AC outlet, that power source is only on when someone is on the boat. <br />
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And I think Loctite had the answer, get a bigger...
Terryl
06-18-2021, 01:11 AM
This is the starting battery for the standby generator, not the main battery's, those get charged every day on their own solar charging system.