Adding 600watts of Solar to our Catalina 30

This week we finished the install of 2x 300watt solar panels and a new Battery Isolator.
Sailing GBU
Sailing Uma
Some of the products we love using :
Battery Isolator
amzn.to/3lDNtGb
Solar MC4 Connectors
amzn.to/3E6DYFN
Battery Monitor - www.amazon.ca/dp/B07KXCF8F8?r...
Battery Circuit Breaker - www.amazon.ca/dp/B01F76VJT2?&...
Brushless Water Pump - www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B28F1KK7?&...
Growatt charge controller - www.amazon.ca/dp/B08QMDXX15?&...
Nintendo 600 in 1
amzn.to/3FBynIJ
Jabsco Macerator pump
www.amazon.ca/dp/B000O8F9BI/r...

[@bikeradam]

You should watch some van life videos, they are decades ahead of the boat crowd when it comes to solar and batteries. Why do boaters talk amp hours instead of watt hours? Watt hours are universal no matter what the voltage is. Makes calculations way easier. It also helps to run your main battery at 48v, (or at least 24v) the amount you save dealing with less amps really adds up quickly. Things that take 40 amps at 12v only take 10 amps at 48v.

[@Paul-ou1rx]

Cool boat! And you have a great voice for narration.

[@sailingabby3467]

Thanks Paul. New videos to Come

[@pete9501]

Excellent work. We did the same on a Moody 31 in Nov 22 and have now taken out the gas stove and gone full electric cooking with 590w of solar. Didn't need to use the alternator to charge anything in June and only 10% in September, solar did the rest. Southern England at 50'N btw. You might need to put some cross bars in to stop it wobbling in strong winds. We also drilled and tapped each stainless fitting then added a 5mm bolt with locktite to ensure they don't come apart after noticing that the grub screws can come loose like you. We average 2kWh during most sunny days and need about 0.9kWh for cooking. The rest is for the boat domestics. We added a Din rail analogue kWh counter to see what we use for the inverter and therefore the cooking. The MPPT giving us the total generated.

[@sailingabby3467]

You guys have it all Figured out. I’ll Do those bolts. Great idea

[@pete9501]

There are some interesting threads with photos on Cruisers Forums under the provisioning sub section which might be of interesting to you. What is the plan for this winter? We are sealing leaky windows.

[@allynonderdonk7577]

I have a cheap $8 solar charge controller on my lithium batteries. Basically it always keeps the starer bat topped up. When the house batteries get low it stops charging because there is no voltage differential. We also have a 20 amp Renogy dc-dc charger for the alternator. You can make your own lithium batteries in your case and have sooo much electricity. I'll bet could fit 1120AH at 12v. Salty Escape did a battery build you should check out. With tools, wire, and materials I'll bet the batteries could be as low as $600each for 280AH. I have two, and not four...it can be a little hard keeping them topped up but I don't have 600 watts of solar.

[@sailingabby3467]

Love this. Maybe we could talk more about building batteries

[@allynonderdonk7577]

@@sailingabby3467 Just reply to this comment. I read them daily typically.

[@brotanknife]

Nice upgrade bro..another good vid..

[@sailingabby3467]

Thanks 👍

[@ac-xz6bf]

Wiring your panels in parallel will double your amperage, having them wired in series only doubles your voltage.

[@allynonderdonk7577]

Double the voltage means the wires carry less load but still the full output of both panels. 24v at 6amps in series (Two 12v 6amp panels)is the same power as 12v at 12 amps in parallel...you just need bigger wires. Now there are shading possibilty production differences but otherwise you are pretty much in the same boat either way. Power in watts equals volts times amps.

[@sailingabby3467]

Yeah what I wanted to do is wire them in series that way the amperage would be lower and the charge controller would see a higher voltage. Either way it was going to charge a 12 V system.

[@Robzilla501]

Thanks for sharing. Are you noticing any of the framework flexing with the tall supports? And when heeled over do the large panels catch enough wind to create any issues?

[@sailingabby3467]

The tubing isn’t the most strong. There is some movement. But one day it will be completed with 1.5” tubing. Maybe it will include a david system.

[@sailingabby3467]

These are all Canadian Solar panels. Purchased in Burnaby BC.

[@MrEragon21]

Great video if you don't mind me asking what panels did you end up getting

[@sailingabby3467]

Hi Dustin thanks for watching. I found a company in Burnaby. Ready Solar. Super great to deal with and made the whole purchase easy. All are Canadian Solar. Watch one of the Tiny house vids to see more solar work. Cheers.

[@jamesneilson7701]

What were your costs for all the stainless components for your mounts? We have an '85 Catalina 30 at North Saanich and are looking to do the same.

[@sailingabby3467]

I believe a lot of the stainless steel and fittings cost me close to $300. Pipe is expensive fittings are like $15 each.

[@captvaghunter]

What do you have for batteries nevermind ... How long can you camp with those? It doesn't seem like much to me

[@sailingabby3467]

With the 600 watts of panels. The batteries are fully charged even in the winter now. With 4 golf cart batteries and one starter batter ( and battery isolator) the refrigeration is always good and we even watch a few movies.

[@captvaghunter]

@@sailingabby3467 ok I'll keep my giant bank and throw up 600 watts ! I'm doing this alone and have been worried about the diesel heater and water heater murdering them

[@user-uj8uc2kf9i]

Would this boat be suitable for someone that is 6' 2" tall?

[@sailingabby3467]

Thanks for watching. I love the size of this boat. I’m 6’3” and can stand completely in the galley. The V Berth is very tall and wide. Both are reasons why I enjoy sailing Abigale

[@user-uj8uc2kf9i]

@@sailingabby3467 thank you for replying and I look forward to more videos in the future

[@JohnBraman413]

link for solar panels?

[@sailingabby3467]

Ready Solar Burnaby BC