Wiring advice

[GJ0KYZ]

My boat has two batteries. If I use a solar panel over the winter do I connect it to the positive of one battery and to the negative of the other?

[jezza2011]

it depends on your layout and how they are wired.

if the batteries are in serier then you need a 24v pannel.
if they are via a 2 way battery switch then I guess you can wire it in to one of the batteries.

[yam man]

If you have batt isolator you can you do it like that but has to be turn to on/ both position . With out an isolator just put it on to 1 bat and bring 2 jump wire from the other going from -to- an + to+ you don't to use the neg jumper if both negs got to engine hope this helps

[nik]

Its not a good idea to leave batteries in parallel, one will tend to discharge through the other.
You can electrically isolate them using diodes to prevent this but the diodes can't be part of the circuit if any significant current is drawn, they will fail unless they are high current ones (expensive).

[GJ0KYZ]

I know nothing! There are two big batteries with a red one-battery, both-batteries switch. The boat's electrics are 12v. I won't be using the boat much this winter so I was going to buy a solar panel to prevent the batteries from losing their charge.

[Tim M]

Your easiest solution would be to get two solar panels; one on each batt. Failing that, if you want to stick with one, I would connect it to one of the batteries in the knowledge that even if the other discharges you will be able to start your engine and start charging the other off the alternator. Nice and simple!

[Limey Linda]

Post #1, Yes, you have got it right. A battery is a battery, if connected in parallel, no matter how many there are. Make sure your isolater switch is turned to OFF if you are making direct connection to the batteries. Also make sure both are fully charged before the hook up.

[martini]

And if you haven't got a charging regulator then you need blocking diodes to stop the current from flowing back out of the solar panel at night!

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[GJ0KYZ]

Originally Posted by martini

And if you haven't got a charging regulator then you need blocking diodes to stop the current from flowing back out of the solar panel at night!

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The panel I'm considering has built-in blocking diodes and I'd always fit a regulator to prevent overcharging (fat chance in this wx of course). I installed a big panel on my yacht years ago but can't remember if it had one or two batteries. Actually it must have had two come to think of it.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

(fat chance in this wx of course).

Perhaps you should be looking at wind turbines then

[GJ0KYZ]

Originally Posted by Erin

Perhaps you should be looking at wind turbines then

Too beaucoup dollar; Mrs GJ0KYZ would never allow it!

[Anchorhandler]

Originally Posted by martini

And if you haven't got a charging regulator then you need blocking diodes to stop the current from flowing back out of the solar panel at night!

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Does that mean you can generate sunshine at night by using a couple of old car batteries??....awesome! :-)

Simon

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[DGR]

Use a charge regulator that has outputs for two batteries - simples!!

[martini]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

Does that mean you can generate sunshine at night by using a couple of old car batteries??....awesome! :-)

Get back down in that boiler room where you belong, no such thing as night and day down there

[Anchorhandler]

Originally Posted by martini

Get back down in that boiler room where you belong, no such thing as night and day down there

Feck off, the sun always shines in my engine rooms! :-)

Anyway iv just won sponsorship for our engine rooms from the Disney corporation........not because they're such a bright and pleasant place to be but because .... That Disney work,... This Disney work,.. Etc.... :-)

Simon

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[martini]

I was going to point you in the direction of the Infamous Joke Thread but actually no....