Boat Solar Controllers 101

[@leozeek]

Great use of outside resources like Tom 👍

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Absolutely

[@jardelm2933]

Hi Jeff & Tom..really good the information...following here in Brazil all videos from PYS...

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Iamafake88]

Hi Jeff Can you tell me if I need to have an alternator regulator if I have a dc to dc converter ??? Regards Allen

[@PacificYachtSystems]

All alternators need a regulator. The DC to DC charging converter is between battery to battery. The regulator is for the alternator.

[@anthonymarino4260]

nice review.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@SeanMcChannel]

I just replaced my few years old 12V Genasun lead acid solar controller with a Victron SmartSolar 75/15. The Victron controller so far is vastly superior - blue tooth and temperature compensation enabled showing history of solar controller and allows end user programming. The Genasun controller was overcharging my few years old 12V 300Ah house lead acid battery bank from my old 70W solar panel while boat sitting at dock in West Vancouver. The result was that I would always find that I needed to add significant amounts of distilled water to the 12V batteries when regularly doing maintenance checks. The Genasun limited user interface those LEDs, did not provide any usable information to understand what the controller was doing and why my batteries required so much distilled water. It seems the Genasun controller would never switch over to float voltage output level from bulk / absorption voltage output levels, as I would monitor the charge voltage levels on my Victron BVM battery monitor while on board. Recommend Victron controller for sure. Genasun outdated.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for sharing.

[@chachi5975]

19:10 could you elaborate on what the charge controller is sending? I've been confused about this. When a battery is below fully charged voltage, and the controller is programmed to bring it up to a specific voltage, what is it sending to the batteries? I have victron controllers and Battleborn batteries and I've been wondering what is actually happening during charging. Thanks again and I can't wait until you discuss the advancement in panels!

[@josidasilva5515]

The charger controls the charging Voltage, the higher the Voltage, the larger the current into the batteries. Power flows from high to low Voltage, so the charging Voltage must be higher than the batteries'.

[@chachi5975]

@@josidasilva5515 so does it keep the voltage just above what the battery is until it reaches the desired (programmed) voltage?

[@josidasilva5515]

@@chachi5975 yes, and according to batt temp for desired Amp level.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks Josi for contributing to the conversation.

[@JohnSmith-xn3fr]

Why is Jeff talking more than his guest(s) ?

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for the feedback, instead of interview, we were going for a conversation.

[@markgillson8096]

I have to agree. I have watched a few of these videos now with Nigel Calder who can't seem to get a word in edgewise sometimes because Jeff is just reiterating what has already been said with his long winded stories that waste time and add no additional value. You have arranged for high quality, knowledgeable people to speak. Just let these gentlemen speak on the subject they are experts in. They will tie it all together.

[@tartansailor]

Agree, Jeff should let his guest do more talking than himself.

[@JohnSmith-xn3fr]

@@tartansailor Jeff enjoys hearing his voice ...

[@JohnSmith-xn3fr]

@@markgillson8096 Jeff enjoys hearing his voice ...

[@besearchingforwisdom6267]

I really appreciate your videos and everything was going good until you said that you've seen battery banks die from not having a temp sensor in the correct location. I'm currently connected to the grid and working on a system that is not only independence but reliable within a budget

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesharvey838]

Poor Tom Whitehead, we thought, and he thought, he was coming to an interview or a discussion instead he got talked to by the running mouth.

[@PacificYachtSystems]

Thanks for the feedback James.