I'm looking to install a solar charging system for my pontoon boat, which is powered by a 101lb thrust Minn Kota EM-101 trolling motor connected to a 36v 100ah FLLYROWER lifepo battery. I'm feeling pretty lost with the technical side of things. Can anyone share their experiences or insights on how to approach this?
Here are some specifics: I need the solar panels to be mounted flush with the pontoon railing since we often travel under low bridges. I have an old bimini top I can repurpose to create a frame for the panels. Ideally, I'd prefer two 48" panels or a single 96" panel, with a maximum width of 23", but I can manage some cantilever if needed.
I really need help navigating the electrical setup—there seems to be conflicting information out there. Some sources say the panel voltage must be higher than the battery, while others say it can be lower with a booster. I'm specifically looking for a minimum of 10 amps charging, but 20 amps would be ideal since we often use the motor at 20 amps cruising speed.
What types of panels and setups do I need to ensure I can charge my battery effectively? Any recommendations on products or configurations would be greatly appreciated! Plus, I'm willing to offer compensation for detailed help since this is becoming quite a project for me.
1 Answer
For your pontoon solar power setup, what you want is high efficiency panels. The more efficient the panels, the more power you can pack into the available space. I'd recommend looking into the BougeRV buck-boost MPPT charge controller since it's particularly handy with adjustable voltage for various solar panel configurations. This will help you get the most out of however many watts you can fit!
That's a solid suggestion! Just keep in mind that while MPPT controllers are efficient, you need to also carefully manage how you set the voltage since your system is a 36V. It might take a bit of manual adjustment.
Just a heads up, efficiency ratings for panels can vary. When you see ratings like 20.3%, it's the ratio of the output power to the input solar power. Higher is better, but you'll need to see what fits your space!