Sailing Yachts with 12v hybrid inverter

The Problem

You have limited solar input, and need to make sure that the connected devices do not over discharge your domestic batteries at night. A particular additional problem is that your yacht hot water boiler probably only works if you have run the engine or are connected to shore power. With a hybrid inverter and the SS Controller that changes completely.

The Solution

With an SS Controller, you can turn on or off up to 3 “always on” connected devices at different battery charge levels in ascending order of importance.  With a 2 device SS controller on a mono-hull, the first one of those can be the water heater, and the next the refrigerator. Slightly warm beers are preferable to flat batteries!

On a catamaran, the range of connected appliances will be greater, but the controller is most useful managing “always on” devices that can flatten the domestic batteries at night causing the hybrid inverter to shut down the whole electrical system.

Houseboats 12v or 48v inverters

The Problem

This unusual Loire river houseboat has 5Kw of flexible solar panels on the roof and a further 1750w of rigid panels (not visible) on a flank. It heats water with electricity and has a wine fridge, and a domestic fridge/freezer. Despite also having 30Kw of LifePo4 battery storage, in the depths of winter with a succession of sunless days, that is not always enough. Despite the unusual appearance of this one, most houseboats will a broadly similar electrical installation but without the 1750w of rigid panels on the flank.

The Solution

The boat is equipped the a Super Solar controller that is connected to three devices: the wine fridge; the water heater; and the fridge/freezer. Those devices are switched off in that order of priority as battery voltage level falls. That means that only in the most extreme circumstances does the boat need to use a generator to top up the batteries. The batteries can be 12 or 48v. Portable power stations are also supported.     

Canal Boats & River Cruisers – 12v & 48v  

The Problem

River and canal cruisers (narrowboat and widebeam) have engines that generally keep the domestic batteries sufficiently charged when on the move. When moored that ceases to be true. Narrowboats and canal cruisers generally both have modest electrical systems. Widebeams can have installations similar to that of the houseboat above.

Narrow-boats

On a narrowboat with a hybrid inverter, the SS Controller will turn on and off up to 3 connected devices or groups of devices. Typically this would be

a) the water heater

b) the refrigerator

The SS controller is available in 1, 2, and 3 device versions.

Widebeams

With much greater roof areas and generally a more extensive electrical installation, widebeams solar system needs are generally closer to those of a houseboat than to those of a narrowboat.  However for historical reasons most are using 12v batteries rather than 48v. We understand that some items needed on board are generally 12v (navigation lights for instance) but otherwise a 220v system using 48v batteries connected to a hybrid inverter, we see as a much better (and cheaper) solution. Contact Us to discuss the issues.

Widebeams having a hybrid inverter -12 or 48v – should use the more versatile Super Solar Controller and thus be able to control up to 3 connected devices. However 12v hybrid inverters only provide a maximum of 1500w of mains electricity as compared with up to 6Kw with 48v batteries. Please visit our sister site www.Super-Solar-Systems.com/Widebeams for more information.

River Cruisers

Most river cruisers rely on large 12v domestic battery packs and use the engine to charge their batteries. When not on the move, batteries can quickly get discharged and users will, rightly, be reluctant to start the engine just to top up the batteries. Using a 12v  hybrid inverter provides mains power in addition and greater onboard comfort. Coupled to the SS Controller, the river cruiser owner can make sure that the domestic batteries are not over-discharged by always on devices like the refrigerator. 

The SS controller is available in 1, 2, and 3 device versions.