Help building my solar system for my sailboat

[guitarman60]

Hi. Chris here.
I'm in need of help to put together my solar system for my sailboat. I'm looking at buying 2-100 watt grape solar monocrystalline panels. I need to know the most efficient and propper charge controller and inverter for me on a modest to poor man's budget.
I'm liking the victron 100/30 charge controller. I'm not sure on the inverter but I know I want mppt.

 

[AnarchyJet]

We need a lot more info to help you. Besides an inverter, what are you trying to do with the solar? Charge a starting battery, house bank or both?
What type of battery, lead acid (FLA) / other conventional type or lithium (Lifepo4). What voltage and Ah capacity.
What are you trying to power with the inverter?
200 watts on a boat isn't much power. Will be good for maintaining batteries and day sailing/weekend cruising.

 

[yabert]

I second, 200W of solar is not a lot.
Victron MPPT are awesome and are relatively affordable for the low power one.
Keep in mind that is best to put panels in parallel because there is a lot of shade on a sailboat.

 

[SparkyGage]

What size boat and what do you want to power?

 

[dmeter]

Hi. Chris here.
I'm in need of help to put together my solar system for my sailboat. I'm looking at buying 2-100 watt grape solar monocrystalline panels. I need to know the most efficient and propper charge controller and inverter for me on a modest to poor man's budget.
I'm liking the victron 100/30 charge controller. I'm not sure on the inverter but I know I want mppt.

dont waste money on 100/30 charge controler for 2x 150 solar panel victron 100/20 is overkill victron 70/15 is for you and 200 shaded solar panel

but also don't waste money on 2 x100 solar panel buy 350W solar panel size 170 cm x 100cm +- pick best on market trina,long, and other good Chinese brand. or best

SUNPOWER Solar panel MAXEON 425W +-​

 

[mikefitz]

victron 100/30 charge controller.

Takes up to 400 watts of panels, a 75/15 controller takes up to 200 watts and is just over half the cost of a 100/30.
If you will be adding more panels in the future then the 100/30 will allow that.

On a small sailboat 100 watt panels may be more practical than larger panels due to limited space.

Unless there is a real need for AC power an inverter is best avoided. Most stuff on a small sailboat is 12v dc.

 

[dmeter]

Takes up to 400 watts of panels, a 75/15 controller takes up to 200 watts and is just over half the cost of a 100/30.
If you will be adding more panels in the future then the 100/30 will allow that.

On a small sailboat 100 watt panels may be more practical than larger panels due to limited space.

Unless there is a real need for AC power an inverter is best avoided. Most stuff on a small sailboat is 12v dc.

75/15 controller takes easy 300 watts on a sailboat

 

[azjeff]

No personal experience living or mounting panels on a sailboat, but I do know smaller panels are easier to handle and mount/deploy. I use 200 watt size on my RV. The post about a lot of shade on a sailboat made me laugh tho. What??