2019 242x Solar Panel Charging

[Mainah]

A good rule of thumb for stators on the yamaha 1.8l engines is 10 amps charging output (more is output but used up by the ecu, spark plug coils, etc). This is in the main rpm power band as idle will output less. That 10 amps rule of thumb is lower than reality but keeps the math easy and better to be low than high. As a comparative example late model Harley Davidson motorcycles output 10-13 amps total in the main rpm band with the stock magneto/stator. Small engines like those on lawn mowers, pressure washers, and generators all output about 3 amps which is more than enough to supply the spark to the coil/plug and charge small electric start batteries.

 

[seabrooktx]

Thanks. That's good to know. I'm familiar with the older Waverunners (700cc) and certain UTV/ATV (like older Polaris Rangers) magneto charging and the low output of those systems, especially on the UTV given some of the high demands on light bars and stereo systems. If the motors can delivery ~10amps after all the parasitic losses of operation that's not too bad.

Most deep cycle batteries have difficulty taking more than 10amps at a time anyway without causing long term damage.

 

[Kevin-yyz]

Solar panel fuse is located beside the battery switches. Orange 5amp fuse. Pretty easy to access. Mine is definitely working now. Red light is on in my driveway at 0930.

 

[tabbibus]

my fuses must be somewhere else. I don't recall anything there. I'll look today.

I put some alligator clips on the little metal tips (sorry for the tech terms) on the solar panel connector, in direct sunlight and got 0 volts.

 

[Kevin-yyz]

my fuses must be somewhere else. I don't recall anything there. I'll look today.

I put some alligator clips on the little metal tips (sorry for the tech terms) on the solar panel connector, in direct sunlight and got 0 volts.

I never saw anything there until I was told where it was. You have to push some wires out of the way to get at it. Our boats are almost the same, I’d be surprised if you didn’t have a small fuse box in the same spot.

 

[Glen]

Have thought that my solar was not working the season as well-
Found the 5A fuse blown, but can't find reference for what it is.
Any ideas?
Clearly just going to replace and see if working...

 

[Kevin-yyz]

Solar panel fuse would be a pretty good bet. Seems like strange fuse to be blowing. maybe a 10A would work better

 

[Glen]

Solar panel fuse is located beside the battery switches. Orange 5amp fuse. Pretty easy to access. Mine is definitely working now. Red light is on in my driveway at 0930. View attachment 100380View attachment 100381View attachment 100382

Found my 5A fuse blown as well.
Put a new fuse in, and then pulled it out. It did not change the status of the red light on the BEP.
We likely need to dig deeper to test if the solar is functioning-

 

[seabrooktx]

The Red Light on the BEP won’t come on until the starter battery is fully charged. The solar panel may be working, just charging the Starter Battery.

 

[Scoop]

I was leery of my 2018 charger but now feel a little better. I have the boat on a lift in NJ and did not use it from Memorial Day until July 21 or about 50 days. I left the house battery on so it would trickle charge and turned the start battery off. When I turned everything on both batteries were good. One was 12.3 volts and the other was 12.5. I forgot which was which but was pleasantly surprised since I assume the bilge pump was occasionally kicking on. The boat was covered on the slip to minimize water collecting in the bilge but some water must have got in in 50 days.

The manuals do a poor job of describing the solar charger and even the batteries but I figured the house would not trickle charge if it was off and the start battery would not drain too much if it was off - this appeared to work. Any other thoughts on this setup?

I was going to get a battery tender but figured I would give the solar a chance and it appears to be working.

Scoop

 

[Kevin-yyz]

No need to leave the house battery on. If working, the solar panel will trickle charge both batteries (start first and then house). If leaving in the water, the bilge pump on your boat will also operate with the batteries off when it senses water. If you leave the house battery on the bilge pump will cycle every 2-3 minutes.

 

[Shookie]

No need to leave the house battery on. If working, the solar panel will trickle charge both batteries (start first and then house). If leaving in the water, the bilge pump on your boat will also operate with the batteries off when it senses water. If you leave the house battery on the bilge pump will cycle every 2-3 minutes.

My 2018 does NOT run the bilge with the batteries off. I used to think the way you do.... but I've had 3 separate instances this year where I've got on my boat (in a slip) and it's had 6-8 inches of water under the engines. I have a 2nd pump and float switch installed and the water is up to where the float is.

Turn on the batteries and boom, the OEM pump turns on and runs for a few minutes. Last 2 times out, I've left the house battery on and have had no water to deal with. I posted about this in some other thread, but it's definitely not working right.

I sent an email to my dealer asking them to get an answer from Yamaha. Have yet to hear anything.

 

[Kevin-yyz]

if thats the case I’d be leaving the house battery on as well. Something is definatley wrong with your pump or wiring or they didn’t install the proper one.

 

[Shookie]

if thats the case I’d be leaving the house battery on as well. Something is definatley wrong with your pump or wiring or they didn’t install the proper one.

Have you confirmed that yours definitely works with batteries off? Have you filled it with water to make sure?

I have not tested at home in my driveway.... only on the water. My house battery was at 12.2V so to me, the solar panel is doing its job.

 

[tabbibus]

Have you confirmed that yours definitely works with batteries off? Have you filled it with water to make sure?

I have not tested at home in my driveway.... only on the water. My house battery was at 12.2V so to me, the solar panel is doing its job.

12.2 is pretty low though

 

[Scoop]

My 2018 does NOT run the bilge with the batteries off. I used to think the way you do.... but I've had 3 separate instances this year where I've got on my boat (in a slip) and it's had 6-8 inches of water under the engines. I have a 2nd pump and float switch installed and the water is up to where the float is.

Turn on the batteries and boom, the OEM pump turns on and runs for a few minutes. Last 2 times out, I've left the house battery on and have had no water to deal with. I posted about this in some other thread, but it's definitely not working right.

I sent an email to my dealer asking them to get an answer from Yamaha. Have yet to hear anything.

Exactly. I have no idea how the system works and the manual is worthless. I guess I will get a six pack, get a hose an conduct some experiments with various combinations of battery on and off to see how the bilge actually works.

Until I find out conclusively I will continue to leave the house battery on since it is being topped off by the solar trickle charger.

Scoop

 

[Dough]

But 12.2 is dead....

 

[Shookie]

But 12.2 is dead....

House was 12.2 and start was 12.5 last time out..... Before starting engines, I had the stereo cranked and all was fine. Ran for a while and then floated a couple hours with stereo going and no issues at all.

 

[Dough]

12.2 is 40 percent. My 6 year old batteries show 12.8 when full.

 

[Shookie]

I was 12.2 after sitting a week or two, and me running the stereo a while. I don't remember what they were at the end of the day. Either way, had no issues and they're only a year and a half old.