Marine Solar Systems
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One of our customers was getting less than 20% of the rated power from his 400-watt solar setup. Using a Victron MPPT controller and two CMPower 120 Ah LiFePO4 batteries, he should have been receiving over 25 amps of charging...
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Several fellow mariners have reported occasional erratic readings on their tachometers, where the needle jumps around unpredictably. I recently encountered a similar issue on my boat and conducted some research into the cause. Many high-output alternators with smart regulators, as...
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Most boats experience shading from rigging, equipment poles, or other structures, which can significantly impact the performance of solar panels. At Custom Marine Products, we have developed a new, innovative solar panel design that minimizes power loss due to shading...
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When our supplier introduced a new high-output, flexible marine solar panel, I was initially skeptical. The specifications seemed almost too good to be true, so I decided to order some for testing—and I’m glad I did. These panels are impressively...
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A typical solar system will supply around 10-30 amps to a battery bank, while an alternator can provide 45-200 amps. To maximize charging efficiency when the engine is running, you want the alternator to supply as much current as possible....
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Top-of-Pole Solar Panel Mount The top-of-pole mount is a highly functional solution designed to optimize the performance of your solar panel by maximizing its exposure to sunlight. For optimal power output, solar panels should be as close to perpendicular to...
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Top-of-Pole Solar Panel Mount A top-of-pole mount is an excellent solution for maximizing the efficiency of your solar panel by keeping it optimally aligned with the sun's rays. Achieving a perpendicular angle between the panel's surface and sunlight significantly enhances...
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We often hear about tax credits for installing solar panels on our homes, but did you know you might qualify for the same benefit on your boat? Yes, you can! The U.S. Federal Government offers a solar energy tax credit...
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Field Test Report: 175-Watt Solar Panel with Integrated Water Heating System This summer, we tested our new 175-watt SunPower solar panel with an integrated water heating system over a six-week cruise in Northern Lake Huron (latitude ~46°). The panel was...