I Built a Solar Power BOAT and It Had SERIOUS ELECTRICAL Problem in the Water 

I just added this video to my electric boating video playlist and I think it covers some good stuff! When I put out a video saying that a 100 watt solar panel couldn't keep a 12 volt trolling motor going many commenters argued with me for various reasons. I think a better controller, one more panel, and maybe a second battery could do the trick.

Rated solar power is at a very specific voltage and current combination, "Maximum Power Point" or MPP. For a 100W panel that would typically be 18V and 5.6A. If the battery and/or load draws more current at 18V then the voltage would drop until the current draw equals the max available current from the panel (somewhere between 5.6‐5.9A). The only way to get the full 100W at 12V is to use an MPPT controller. It has a built in buck converter which steps down the voltage and steps up the current. A PWM controller cannot step up the current. That said, 4A per panel does indicate additional issues. Did you measure the 4A while the motor was running or simply while the battery was charging? The only other logical explanation is that your panels are rated at higher voltage and lower current at MPP.

you fellows always do your tests on mill pond conditions... have some fun in at least 12 knot conditions with an outgoing tide

The wattage ratings of solar panels are based on the maximum potential it can achieve which is at a voltage much higher than the 12 volt battery, typically around 18 volts. The connected battery sucks the panel voltages down to whatever the battery voltage us currently at. The bottom line is that you can't get the full rated wattage unless you use an MPPT controller which can efficiently convert the higher panel voltage down to your battery voltage while converting that extra voltage to boost more amps. The simplest way to estimate your power potential with a non-mppt setup is to multiply the rated current of the panel by the voltage of the battery. 100 watt panels for 12 volt systems are typically rated for a current output of around 5.5 amps in full sun which will only get you 65 to 75 watts depending on the state of your battery voltage. If you're in full high noon sun and you're only getting a peak current of 4 amps per panel, I would check for loose connections.

You should look into added a super capacitor to the system. I had trouble with my solar hand truck running my circular saw. Until I added a super capacitor bank. Like when a car amplifier dims the headlights. Adding a super capacitor stops the head lights from dimming when the bass hits. And it extends the battery life by less hard cycles.

Hey Joe! Great video. I cant wait to see your infinite range electric cruising boat!!!!

Thanks for sharing this video ! I got here since I'm working on a similar project, so I'm collecting as much info as I can. Just some humble comments from my side: A) Do you use an MPPT (or at least a PWM) charge controller ? Hooking up solar panels directly to a battery/motor is bound to shift your I/U working point far off ideal working conditions -> less power output. It may as well kill your battery... B) The angle is really important as you already suspected, i.e in autumn when the sun is lower. C) Putting the panels overhead gives you shade when its hot and doesn't nibble into your available room. Making the height adjustable allows even for angle optimization. Best, H

Could you revisit hospital hole again and scuba dive all the way to the bottom and completely explore around please? Those are the most popular videos on your channel by far and I find them most entertaining, so try and go as deep as you can.

Hi mate if you get a,,, step down ,,,converter ,,,,from solar panels put out 24 volts to the converter = 12 volts your 200 wat solar panels hooked up too your battery and the converter is waterproof as well,,,,,,you sill can have a voltage meter with a switch on board ,,,,,just a idea i would have some outriggers as a safety measure,,,,,there are some solar panels 300 wat panel's ,,,1 meter square ,,,will do you very nicely,,,,

You'll figure it out we have faith in you👍

I'd think the only problem you have is with the 'factory' giving you very optimistic watt ratings Cool set up!

Great video and beautiful boat! What model / type is your boat ? Thanks!

Great video! In regards to the motor/solar amps difference, I'm wondering if switching to a 24v motor (which theoretically reduces motor amps by half) and adding a couple extra solar panels and setting them up in "series-parallel" configuration (2 series sets of 12volt panels, both sets in parallel) would produce 24v and 8 amps from solar (I think), getting it closer to what the motor requires. I hope to try this myself one day soon!

Need to look up the solar panel specs, usually there is a stcker on the back of the panel. The panels are probably putting out 20v, equalling about 80w with the indirect sunlight. Connecting 20v to the 12v battery will damage it pretty quickly. Without the charge controller, the input won't be very efficient. Also, an MPPT controller should be more efficient than a PWM controller.

if you make it a catamaran it can fit a lotmore panels, or just make a small foam outrigger

Overall you can only get in used less than 20% of maximum rated output once connected to grid or battery It's called ohm's law Electricity is like water you must overcome the incoming volts pressure if you will Add the battery or the meter take an amp and voltage reading multiply your results and you get the Watts that's actually going into the battery or grid

nice job 2 more panels will fill the boat

It's a 12v panel but it could be putting out up to 18v depending on draw with no controller could be getting around 80w each which is absolutely normal I have a solar canoe as well 200w 10a max I just have a much much bigger power bank and smaller motor trying to to also do infinite range max I've done was around 50 miles before the solar now it's just about mother nature and patience

for anyone else doing it I put my panel on a thin 1x2 like that before and the wood broke with alarming ease so keep that in mind. might wanna fiberglass those bad boys or something lol

Did you hook up the controller BEFORE hooking up the battery?😮

Do you need lifepo4 batteries?

4amps is correct. if would hit 5ish if its directly hitting the sun.

Remember the cliff diving can u do that again

You aren't tilted into the sun and your charge controller appears to be garbage. If it gets hot enough to smoke then it is wasting power. One big 450w solar panel and a 24 or 36v trolling motor would probably work better. Skip the battery and keep a paddle. Even in the shade you still have a good amount of output, enough to get back into the sun.

Solar panels usually output around 17v. 17v X 4A = 68watt.

Use lifepo4 battery bro.

You probably saved a boat load of money on gasoline. Good deal. No pun intended lol.

Solar panels are based hopium the output they say is a theoretical limit not what they do.

solar cel outpaut 1⁰4 watts per hour

Look at your solar panels, they are probably rated for 18 to 21 volts.... They are not 12volts. And plugging your 12v battery directly to the solar panel that produces 18v-21v is probably a bad idea.

Man hooks solar panel to battery and electric motor to battery and calls it “building”……such engineering 😂

Cgs

Your motor wires are way too long. They acting like resistors and causing a voltage drop. Measure voltage at the solar panels then measure voltage at the motor and see the difference.

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dark

vampier ohocholgeßt

fany fude

Should've put 2 boats together and either 2 motors on each or 1 in the middle.