How To Wire A Solar Panel On A Boat

The connections are easy to make.

How to wire a solar panel on a boat.

This is especially useful for outdoor equipment such as golf carts motor boats and tractors that may not receive daily or even weekly use. Insert the fuse and the charger will provide a reading of the current status of the batteries. Step by step guide for installing a solar panel boat system first i list a quick summary on how to put this together. Should you install solar panels on your boat.

Attach marine grade copper wires to the panel. Others have placed solar panels on the sides of the boat embedded them in the deck or purchased foldable panels that they can take out and reposition around the ship. Mount your panel on your stern rail see photos details below. It may be a good idea to work with an experienced solar installation company to determine the best ways to safely and effectively incorporate solar panels onto your boat.

Solar controller except for small trickle charge systems all solar systems should have a solar controller. Wiring solar panels to a battery is a convenient and cost effective way to keep your power supply fully charged. If your solar panel kit does not include an inverter or charge controller you ll need to buy those components separately. Connect the negative wire from the solar panel to the negative input on the charge controller.

Panels wired in series can be wired all the way to the solar charge controller with a thinner gauge wire than those wired in parallel. Most solar panels come with mc4 connectors attached to 3 foot solar wire pigtail coming from the panel junction box. Details will follow after these instructions. Battery storage products occasionally have built in inverters and or charge controllers.

Choosing whether to wire the panels in series or parallel on a boat affects the wire gauge required which is why many solar power installers lean toward wiring the panels in series. There are numerous benefits to powering your boat with solar energy.