SOLAR PANEL INSTALL ON A BOAT | The Rudder

----Check out therudder.com.au/ for more info------- -~-
Our Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895, 'Antoinette' gets a 175W Flexible Solar Panel install.
This is how I managed the installation, wiring and MPPT for the panel. Contains tips and tricks to install solar panels on your boat.
This is the 175W Flexible Marine Solar Panel Kit with 20A Voyager MPPT from Renogy in Australia. - shrsl.com/3r8n6
This is not a paid endorsement, my opinion only.

[@user-xw5sm4uy7w]

*I use this solar **Generater.Systems** at work. The building is 80 years old so there’s not a lot of electrical outlets. I use it for lights, fans, charge phones etc. works great !*

[@TheRudder]

If you only go out on day trips and can top up you power with shore power I don't think you'd need solar; or if you had a Genset!

[@MrWolle10]

It’s great to have the boat so close to your home.

[@TheRudder]

Yes we are very lucky.

[@MrWolle10]

I am from Germany , having my 895 close to the German border in the Netherlands. Like your videos.

[@TheRudder]

So cool to know that the 895 can deal with so many different environments. Good to hear from you.

[@johnpenson8801]

Another Great Video Damien. Just what I needed. Intend to buy and fit exactly the same unit to my 895 when I get it. Please keep me posted on how it works and any thoughts or tips for me to consider when installing and using this unit. Look forward to further videos. They are very helpful to all ( and future) 895 owners. Thank you. We

[@TheRudder]

I went out last week for a couple of nights. Bascially it kept the battery at 100% the whole day. Overnight we used around 50aH, and the solar had re-charged the battery back to full by the next night. I'll do a better video of the solar usage and charging once I get a bit of a better understanding of output/usage. Thanks!

[@sundek88]

Very useful installation. If you are worried about the wind on the solar panel you might seal the edge of it using some silicone, it also will prevent some dust and water to go below it!

[@TheRudder]

Hi Mattia, I thought a lot about sealing the edges. I'm not worried about the wind. I was out the other day doing 28kn, no problem, no lift. I didn't seal it because I want some air to get under there and provide some cooling. It also means any water and humidity can escape from under the panel. I will keep an eye on it.

[@randomtechreviews]

Just brilliant! Thanks for sharing. Planning to do the same type of installation in a couple of months when it’s summer up here in the north. Nice cable work, good idea to minimize holes in the roof. Will look into that solution on my 895 aswell.

[@randomtechreviews]

Just a question, did you use any fuse along the way, what type and amperage? :)

[@TheRudder]

Hi, yes i was very happy with the way I ran the cables into the roof. Don't want any moisture in there!. I didn't add a fuse as I didn't want to cut into the cable work. I'm relying on the MPPT which has -protections against reverse polarity, over charge, short-circuit, reverse current, overload, and over discharge, keeping your battery fully protected.

[@ilterbekin4752]

Appriciated. Thanks so much for your all great videos

[@TheRudder]

No worries. Hope they help.

[@stefanbusuttil]

Great videos as always. My question is: How do you plan to take off the solar panel for any maintenance issues or replacement? Thank you in advance.

[@TheRudder]

Haven't actually thought about it too much. But I would guess slowly, with a heat gun. Much like removing a vinyl. And then a lot of cleaning. I presume in a few years it will need replacement

[@elsausb]

Hey, thanks for your Videos. We really enjoy them. Do you still remember the measurements of your Panel? It seems the link is broken.

[@TheRudder]

Sorry about the broken link, it appears they have updated to a 200w panel now. The dimensions are 160.5 x 74.8 x 0.3 cm /(63.2 x 29.4 x 0.1 in)

[@johnpenson8801]

Hi Damien. Any chance if some more videos featuring your 895 in some Aussie sunshine. We are suffering our third day of storm force winds in the U.K.! So it would help cheer us up! I hope that solar installation is proving a success? Certainly a very neat installation.

[@TheRudder]

Ok we are hoping to go out this weekend, what content do you want?? Sorry to hear about your poor weather. That is why we did the slow video, just some Oz sunshine!!! Good to hear from you. How long until delivery??

[@johnpenson8801]

@@TheRudder Good Morning Damien. Still very windy here! I think any 895 fans in the UK would be grateful for some video of your boat underway, at speed and slow. Or at anchor. Perhaps an update on how the Solar Panels are working and the performance of your Victron battery monitor. Overall are you still pleased with the boat? Are anymore minor modifications planned. How are you finding the Garmin Plotter/Finder? Best regards

[@TheRudder]

@@johnpenson8801 good ideas. Unfortunately the Oz sunshine is disappearing behind a week of storms. Fingers crossed they pass soon.

[@Herbie54]

Great video. Thanks.

[@TheRudder]

Cheers thanks.

[@sudutklaten5548]

You've got my back

[@TheRudder]

Do I?

[@andyl8025]

Very nice! Did you add fuses in front of the controller and near the batteries? Any issues with shore power on as well? Is there a switch to turn off the solar panels?

[@TheRudder]

Sounds like a good idea for video! Will post soon

[@Vista318]

I am thinking of getting a 895. Worried a bit about storage and I don't like the manual toilet on the head. Wonder if you can factory electric option and fresh water over sea water? Have you thought about adding upper cabinet storage? Your vids are very helpful. Cheers from Canada

[@TheRudder]

We haven't had any issues with storage, i guess it depends on what you want to store there are big compartments like the lazarette, under the main bed and all the seats in the cockpit. It has been enough for us, and I usually take a surfboard (not the SUP) with me as well. I actually like the manual toilet over the auto. I've had an auto and when they break it isn't pretty. I guess it would be possible to plump fresh, just not so sure of the advantage. Hope that helps

[@Vista318]

@@TheRudder maybe in the salon I'm referring to. The optional upper cabinet maybe a good option. Hard finding used boats here in Canada. I may have to wait some time til a sued on becomes available. New just isn't an option unfortunately. Keep the videos coming, great work!!

[@votantonio]

​@@Vista318Have you found a 895 in Canada? I see that there are dealerships in BC and Ontario. I will be looking for one next year. DAMIAN thank you so much for the inspirations. Greeting from cold Ottawa, Ontario

[@Vista318]

@@votantonio decided to go another route, looking at a 350 SeaRay at this point

[@fabryp75]

hello damian I wanted to ask you considering that it is a long time since you installed the solar panel if the area where you have installed can be annoying due to the rain, that is a drainage point and therefore I ask you if the double-sided tape holds? there is no water deposit between the solar panel and the roof? also i would like to put the panel on my MF895. thank you!!

[@TheRudder]

I haven't seen any issues in my.general clean down of the boat but great idea for a video. I'll do a vid this weekend (it is very rainy) and investigate your comment. Thanks

[@juanpedrojimenez8660]

Thanks for this tutorial! How long could the fridge be working on the batteries taking into account the solar input?

[@TheRudder]

I was out the other day and the solar was providing enough power to run the fridge, charge a phone and the garmin plotter as well as providing postive charge into the battery.

[@juanpedrojimenez8660]

@@TheRudder wow that’s amazing, and very useful if you want to keep your fridge on during weekdays without the shore power inlet plugged in. I imagine during the night it won’t last all the no-sun hours

[@richardkaye2228]

Hey guys great video was curious if the solar panel is still working at the same output , and what is the most current you’ve seen it put in , have you noticed any delamination on the solar panel yet cheers Richard.

[@TheRudder]

Hey, I did a follow-up video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGi8inShmr2EhZo . Can't recall off the top of my head the most current in. I must admit that with the solar and the larger battery I'm not as worried about my usage as I used to be. The panel itself is fine, definitely no delamination. I'll try and remember to look next time the sun is out and the MPPT is actually putting load INTO the battery (and not on float).

[@richardkaye2228]

@@TheRudder thanks I will watch the video in link , we were anchored beside each other again two weeks ago , it’s a small world

[@TheRudder]

@@richardkaye2228 say hello next time!! See you on the water

[@richardkaye2228]

@@TheRudder will do , we are usually out on paddle boards but I just had a heart attack a few weeks back so couldn’t even put tender in last trip 👍🏻

[@TheRudder]

Out on the boat now. Getting 9amps

[@apurposefullife4793]

bending your flex panel like that will drastically reduce production. Did you notice how much? I would imagine around 60%

[@TheRudder]

Can't really say l, didn't have much of a choice in terms of positioning.

[@jimcbutts]

Did you only wire the solar charger to your 330 amp hour battery?

[@TheRudder]

Yes the starter battery gets a charge from the shore power.

[@darrylrjp]

That ain't a MPPT charger controller, just a normal one.

[@TheRudder]

It is a MPPT not a PWM Solar Controllers if that is what you mean?