Solar controller mounting on the M

[Mac26Mpaul]

Hey all,

Can some of you guys give me some ideas on where you have mounted the solar controller on the M?

I'v killed two due to my silliness - I have just mounted them inside the battery compartment which is a high corrosion area. In fact moisture has got in through the temp sensor on both of them and fried the boards.

Well I have just installed two new batteries and decided to finally buy a MPPT controller. Not wanting to fry another one (plus, the MPPT one will get hot), I think its time I put a bit more effort into installing it.

Easiest would be outside the battery compartment on the front of it, but that can be a wet area (rain, or dripping wet people entering the boat), but I don't want to go to far from the batteries with it.

I'm considering putting it under the table at the back in the middle (got to keep it away from peoples legs as it will get warm). Didn't really want to cut a hole to run the cables through down there, but it seems the only option.

Where else have people mounted the controllers on the M?

[jimmy alonso]

I mounted my Solar Panel Controller on the ladder and used a flexible wire loom to hide the wires to where the batteries are.
I like it there I can see how many amps the panels are putting out during the day and check voltage at night.
The meter on the left is just a cheap voltage meter thats reads the start battery.

[Mcginn]

Why did you get an mppt controller? Are you running high voltage panels? I would put it in a box, something clear would be nice, probably plastic, acrylic would be good. A little ventilation, but don't worry too much about the heat unless your really pushing / maxing it out. I've never noticed them get all that hot, they are 90%+ effecient after all. U could install a computer fan exhaust and filter on the air intake to go all out.
What's your panel setup look like?

Cheers,
E

[kadet]

Why did you get an mppt controller?

Because they are 20-30% more efficient than a PWM controller even on panels rated for a 12 volt battery.

A PWM will charge at about 14.1 volts a typical 12v panel puts out 18-20volts so you loose that 4-6 volts. A MPPT will use that 4-6volts and turn it into extra amps.

So a 100w panel with MPPT will charge a battery the same as a 125W panel with PWM all else being equal.

[Cougar]

I intend to install a marine grade MPPT controller this winter. It's resin filled, so can be used in wet/damp conditions.
https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-cha ... mppt-75-15

[Mac26Mpaul]

E, I got the MPPT one because of what Kadet just said, or to put it simply, I got it because I'm only getting about 5amps max out of my 120 watt panel and others with a 120 watt panel and MPPT are getting 7 or 8 amps! I also got it because they have come down in price. Before,, all the cheap controllers labeled "MPPT" were/are not really MPPT but now you can get genuine MPPT controllers pretty cheap. I got one of these because a) its inexpensive and b) all the reviews seem to give it the thumbs up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Okm50rgAWg
Anway, we'll see how it goes...

As to what the panel setup looks like. I have a video on YouTube so you can have a look Ignore my dodgy method of just screwing the controller to a bit of wood and throwing it in the battery compartment as this is a bad idea!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plR0fmflXAI

Jimmy, no doubt, that is the best spot, I don't really want to run the wires down from there through.

ahh, might just go under the table..

[Bobglas]

Mounted mine screwed vertically outside the battery compartment under the step. 2 years so far, no problem.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Must admit, that's exactly where I wanted to mount mine (because I can cover up the hole with it, that will be left from the display which is there from my old controller). My first controller which I had in the battery compartment lasted 2 years before corrosion got in and killed it.

Anyway, will have a think about it...

[mastreb]

You really want charge controllers to be as close to your batteries as possible. DC power suffers from voltage drops rapidly as cable lengths get longer, and the large cables required to be efficient are really expensive.

I would put the charge controller under the Starboard Aft dinette seat, as high as possible. This is only about two feet away from the batteries, and as high-up as any under liner areas get. Another possibility is under the galley right where it rises from the aft-berth.