Very, very interesting: what I like is the quiet way you explain and show how it,s done: no music or quick editing: just normal speed: I like your style
Thanks very much, I just like to share the problems that I encounter and how I solve them. in the tech videos it's more raw so that it does not take an age to edit. It's also tough to get the time to edit with a busy full time job. Thanks for the compliment, these videos aren't meant to be super exciting but how I am solving problems from a none professional point of view, glad you like them. Cheers, Chris
Definitely a good idea to seal the edges of the panel. Without this I'd also be concerned about any water behind the panel freezing in the winter. As a tip, I use masking tape around the area you need to use the mastic on. Stops it spreading it too far. I spent AGES getting my panel installed on the 385 and used a similar route to you. I', planning a 310W panel on the 458 so more joy running cables next spring! Really like the way you managed to link the engine battery direct to your shunt. I'm rather red-faced to tell you I ran a cable all the way back through the port cabin and into the engine compartment as I didn't think about locating a cable on the main DC panel.
Thanks for the input Stuart, I think the ice underneath wouldn't have caused too much of an issue as the sikaflex is very flexible, but I don't like just bonding the corners as it was a bit of a dirt and potential mould collector also under the panel. If you watch the next video in the series, I redid it and went around the whole thing. With the masking tape, I did learn from the first time and used masking tape when going around the whole panel, it was a good plan. After a little while you forget about the pain of cable running so you should be fine next spring :) and with the shunt, I almost went in that direction too, I don't remember how I figured out that the engine was connected there also. I'm still learning all of the wiring down there. I brought an external charger on board so that I could switch everything on in the boat without the batteries (I thought I was so clever), somebody told me that the onboard mastervolt charger will do the same thing you just have to turn the charger on and then breaker on... trust me I make mistakes all of the time :) Cheers
No worries, I hope it was useful incase anyone you want to do the same thing. A lot of the work is finding out how and where to run the cables and I spent a lot of time trying to find out how best to mount the panels. Didn't quite work out the way I wanted at first but just about to head to the boat and fix it. I hope you are well Jon. Cheers, Chris
Hi! Thanks for very interesting videos! Been watching them in detail as we are installing our own sunbeam panels. I was however wondering how you did it with regards connecting the flat cables to the cables going the charge controller (soldering, crimping etc). I'm a bit unsure as to what is best with these flat cables so any input much appreciated :) Fair winds!
Hi Axel, thanks for the comment, much appreciated. With the flat cables, I just crimped them with a yellow connector, works perfectly. You just need to pinch the sliver sunbeam connector of course to get it in. Hope it helps. Cheers
I connect the negative to the shunt on the other side from the battery. Not sure if the Cerbo GX is taking the solar data directly from the MPPT via the direct cable or from shunt, but works like a charm.
Thanks Chris, your patience is impressive 🙂 what kind of amps where you getting during the summer with the 78watt panel? Other question, the cable going to the shunt, what size is that? I got the smartshunt, but am having trouble finding cables as thick as the ones already in the boat
Hi Peter, it does take a lot of patience I must admit especially when you know a professional can do it in half the time. From the 78w solar panel we were getting up to about 55 watts, which on 12v is about 4.6 amps on a perfect day with the sun high and no shadows. For the cable to the shunt, I just took the biggest they had in the store and crimped it myself, I think this was 50mm2, it should be no problem that the cable is a little smaller 50mm2 should take a minimum of 300amps and it should not create that much resistance with the wire being that short. I hope that helps. Cheers, Chris
Sailing Aurora but where’s the fun In having a pro do it right? 🙂 Yes if that’s all you get from the panel I understand you wanting to add more to the boat. I think I’ll look into the foldable panels during the winter season. 50mm2 is also the biggest I have been able to find, for now that will have to do. I did also find 95mm2 and I believe that is what is mounted from the factory, unfortunately I could not find any local stores with this in stock. Thanks for you feedback
Good shout, but When I didn't have them fully sealed underneath it was attracting a lot of mold and green stuff. I shouldn't really care to much but I like the fully sealed solution now. Thanks for the suggestion though :)
Very, very interesting: what I like is the quiet way you explain and show how it,s done: no music or quick editing: just normal speed: I like your style
Thanks very much, I just like to share the problems that I encounter and how I solve them. in the tech videos it's more raw so that it does not take an age to edit. It's also tough to get the time to edit with a busy full time job. Thanks for the compliment, these videos aren't meant to be super exciting but how I am solving problems from a none professional point of view, glad you like them. Cheers, Chris
Definitely a good idea to seal the edges of the panel. Without this I'd also be concerned about any water behind the panel freezing in the winter. As a tip, I use masking tape around the area you need to use the mastic on. Stops it spreading it too far.
I spent AGES getting my panel installed on the 385 and used a similar route to you. I', planning a 310W panel on the 458 so more joy running cables next spring!
Really like the way you managed to link the engine battery direct to your shunt. I'm rather red-faced to tell you I ran a cable all the way back through the port cabin and into the engine compartment as I didn't think about locating a cable on the main DC panel.
Thanks for the input Stuart, I think the ice underneath wouldn't have caused too much of an issue as the sikaflex is very flexible, but I don't like just bonding the corners as it was a bit of a dirt and potential mould collector also under the panel. If you watch the next video in the series, I redid it and went around the whole thing. With the masking tape, I did learn from the first time and used masking tape when going around the whole panel, it was a good plan.
After a little while you forget about the pain of cable running so you should be fine next spring :) and with the shunt, I almost went in that direction too, I don't remember how I figured out that the engine was connected there also. I'm still learning all of the wiring down there.
I brought an external charger on board so that I could switch everything on in the boat without the batteries (I thought I was so clever), somebody told me that the onboard mastervolt charger will do the same thing you just have to turn the charger on and then breaker on... trust me I make mistakes all of the time :) Cheers
Good explanation, and showing the process
Cheers pal
Very useful video, thanks for sharing 👍
No worries, I hope it was useful incase anyone you want to do the same thing. A lot of the work is finding out how and where to run the cables and I spent a lot of time trying to find out how best to mount the panels. Didn't quite work out the way I wanted at first but just about to head to the boat and fix it. I hope you are well Jon. Cheers, Chris
Nice videos, really useful, well done! I wonder how well you like these panels now, a year later. Are they still good?
Thanks, yup still working and looking fantastic 👌
Hi! Thanks for very interesting videos! Been watching them in detail as we are installing our own sunbeam panels. I was however wondering how you did it with regards connecting the flat cables to the cables going the charge controller (soldering, crimping etc). I'm a bit unsure as to what is best with these flat cables so any input much appreciated :) Fair winds!
Hi Axel, thanks for the comment, much appreciated. With the flat cables, I just crimped them with a yellow connector, works perfectly. You just need to pinch the sliver sunbeam connector of course to get it in. Hope it helps. Cheers
Hello
Nice videos.
Question - the negtive from the solar P - di U connect them to negatvie direct on BATT or do U connect that to negative pr Shunt?
I connect the negative to the shunt on the other side from the battery. Not sure if the Cerbo GX is taking the solar data directly from the MPPT via the direct cable or from shunt, but works like a charm.
Thanks Chris, your patience is impressive 🙂 what kind of amps where you getting during the summer with the 78watt panel? Other question, the cable going to the shunt, what size is that? I got the smartshunt, but am having trouble finding cables as thick as the ones already in the boat
Hi Peter, it does take a lot of patience I must admit especially when you know a professional can do it in half the time. From the 78w solar panel we were getting up to about 55 watts, which on 12v is about 4.6 amps on a perfect day with the sun high and no shadows. For the cable to the shunt, I just took the biggest they had in the store and crimped it myself, I think this was 50mm2, it should be no problem that the cable is a little smaller 50mm2 should take a minimum of 300amps and it should not create that much resistance with the wire being that short. I hope that helps. Cheers, Chris
Sailing Aurora but where’s the fun In having a pro do it right? 🙂 Yes if that’s all you get from the panel I understand you wanting to add more to the boat. I think I’ll look into the foldable panels during the winter season. 50mm2 is also the biggest I have been able to find, for now that will have to do. I did also find 95mm2 and I believe that is what is mounted from the factory, unfortunately I could not find any local stores with this in stock. Thanks for you feedback
Attach them with velcro :)
Good shout, but When I didn't have them fully sealed underneath it was attracting a lot of mold and green stuff. I shouldn't really care to much but I like the fully sealed solution now. Thanks for the suggestion though :)