I just installed a 65 watt panel on my bimini this summer. I got it from an ebay store here in Canada (free shipping). For the money I spent I'm more than satisfied. This is the seller: http://stores.ebay.ca/Solar-Energy-DC-Inc
I went with the cheap and cheerful CMZ whatever Chinese PWM controller, I didn't trust the cheap MPPT (but I trust the slightly more expensive PWM, go figure). If I was doing a 20 watt panel or something small I would buy their panels again, and wires for that matter but I'de go with a genasun controller: http://genasun.com/products-store/mppt-solar-charge-controllers/ Compass Marine has a great article about installing a 20 watt panel: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/solar_panel I wired mine through the side of the coaming close to where the bimini support is. The wires are run along the bimini pole and then through a cable gland, which is oriented vertically so very little chance of water intrusion and less unsightly than going in through the top. My batteries are under the quarter birth on the starboard side and the controller is mounted just above the QB .. sort of part of the general tech located at the nav station. Not really a winter application. I might buy a small ten watt or something and wire that in for the winter months because of course the bimini comes down. Good luck. Steve Suhana, C&C 32 Toronto On Thu, Sep 26, 2013 at 6:19 PM, David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com>wrote: > Someone I was talking to recommended doing through deck part with a > socket/connector like this Perko 2-Prong Watertight Deck Connection: > > > http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1%7C328%7C2289944%7C2289946&id=846701 > > > On Sep 26, 2013, at 4:02 PM, Edd Schillay <e...@schillay.com> wrote: > > David, > > That was the toughest part of the job -- running the wires. My batteries > are under the starboard settee, close to the center of the boat. > > I drilled through the cabin top where the access panel is above the > galley, then snaked the wire through the pole. My regulator is mounted > under the sink and then I have wires run from there, through a hole, to the > batteries. > > > All the best, > > Edd > > > Edd M. Schillay > Starship Enterprise > C&C 37+ | Sail No: NCC-1701-B > City Island, NY > Starship Enterprise's Captain's Log Website<http://enterpriseb.blogspot.com/> > > On Sep 26, 2013, at 3:52 PM, David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com> wrote: > > How did you guys wire the panel into the battery charging system? Run > wires directly to the battery or some kind of plug through the deck? Dave > > On Sep 26, 2013, at 2:53 PM, "Della Barba, Joe" <joe.della.ba...@ssa.gov> > wrote: > > I got a 25 watt panel from FleaBay that has been doing well for me. I got > a MorningStar controller that is way better than some of the junk out there > as well. > You can see the daily voltage swing with the sun rise and set here: > http://aprs.fi/telemetry/a/N3HGB-5?range=week > > Joe Della Barba > -- > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > > > > David Knecht > Aries > 1990 C&C 34+ > New London, CT > > <pastedGraphic.tiff> > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > > > David Knecht, Ph.D. > Professor and Head of Microscopy Facility > Department of Molecular and Cell Biology > U-3125 > 91 N. Eagleville Rd. > University of Connecticut > Storrs, CT 06269 > 860-486-2200 > 860-486-4331 (fax) > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > >
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