[C320-list] Alternator upgrade

[P.F. Ross]

Christian, truly amazing info here, many thanks!  Members like you are why
we still own our 320.

A few years ago, we were looking at different boats and one of the things I
did in my analyses was to research owner groups as well as boat
characteristics.  In the end (and in no small part due to owner support of
this group) we decided to keep our trusty 320 and put money into various
upgrades.

So glad we did; it's a great boat and I have immensely enjoyed tinkering
with it!

Regards,

Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206
Naples, FL

On Thu, Aug 27, 2020 at 10:55 AM Christian <ccaper at gmail.com> wrote:

> "Victron is regarded as a top-notch maker of electronics (I have an
> inverter). The MPPT solar controller is a little pricey compared to
> competitors, mostly because you have to buy a dongle that connects to your
> cell phone to give you data."
>
> The latest Victron MPPT controllers have bluetooth built in, you no longer
> have to buy the bluetooth dongle.  I have 2 of them, and am VERY impressed
> with their android software.
>
> Almost a year ago, I installed solar panels. Best upgrade I've done yet.
> Description of my setup:
> -2 renogy 160 Watt panels
> -2 Victron MPPT Controllers (
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075NPQHQK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> ).
> Though this model handles more amps than one of my panels produces, but
> this was the lowest tier model Victron offers that has a heat sink, which I
> thought important since mounted in port lazarette, an enclosed space with
> no airflow, on back of galley "bread box" locker (aft of fridge/cooler).
> -Installed Garhauer (1-1/4" tubing) dinghy davits, and mounted my panels on
> top of these davits.  I don't have a dinghy, so skipped the block and
> tackle for the davits to save a little bit of money.  These were custom
> made davits from Garhauer, I had them made a little taller, and the end of
> the arms a little longer (so that some of my mounts for solar panels had
> room).  The contact at Garhauer tried talking me into 1" tube davits since
> I was using them only for solar panel mounting, but I went with the 1-1/4"
> tube in case next owner wants to haul a dinghy.  All the next owner would
> have to do is buy the block and tackle.  The 1-1/4" tube did make it more
> challenging to find fittings for the mounts, but I did find all the parts I
> needed.  My mount structure has held up perfect for a year, showing no weak
> points.  And recently withstood a Chicago storm that saw 100 mph winds for
> 20 mins.  I think it's sound. Garhauer saved my specs, so if you are
> interested, they can look up the order by my name if you want duplicate
> made.
> -I got all my stainless fittings (except one, more on that in a min) from
> http://marinepartdepot.com/ One part I ordered, a 1-1/4" 90 degree elbow,
> both of them were not manufactured correct, and would NOT fit a 1-1/4"
> tube.  They don't take returns, but I saved so much on the other parts,
> just wrote that off as a loss.  I had to source the elbows from another
> source (and paid premium price, but just way it goes with marine parts).
> Marinepartsdepot gets questionable reviews, some say they never get their
> parts.  I've placed about 4-5 orders with them, and always got my order
> correct, and in a timely manner.  Just only order parts listed as in stock,
> and know you won't be able to return anything to them, even if it's a
> defect part.
> -I used 8 AWG PV wire with MC4 connectors that ran from panels, down
> mounts, through stern cowl, cut a slit in the cowl vent tube, passed wire
> through tube, and ran to fore of port locker.  I bought 80' of this wire
> (used about 65' in total for each red and black), red and black from
> HomeDepot (
>
> https://www.homedepot.com/p/WindyNation-8-Gauge-One-Pair-80-ft-Black-80-ft-Red-Solar-Panel-Extension-Cable-Wire-PV-Connector-CBL-SLRRB-08-80/307763317
> )
> The Victron controllers only accept a max of 10 AWG, so I had to down step
> to 10 AWG right before the controller.  It was difficult to find a MC4
> connector that would fit 8 AWG, but I did.  More difficult to find an
> affordable crimper that would work on 8 AWG, I didn't, but a 10 AWG crimper
> did the job.  I used MC4 to connect the 10 AWG short lead to the Victron,
> as getting the wires into the Victron is a headache, and if I needed to
> disconnect wires, MC4 is easier than dealing with the line into the
> Victron.  I ran 8 AWG as long as I could to minimize voltage loss (its all
> about maximizing your voltage to your controller.
> -I used 2 Victron controllers to keep things simple, and bullet proof.  One
> per panel, one per battery.  From the Victron, I tied into the battery
> posts on my shore power controller.  Both the Victron and my shore power
> controller have diodes to prevent backflow of current, should I be on shore
> power (which I never have), or current from alternator to Victron
> controllers.
> -The crimper I used was
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KFUW3LY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> -I
> <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KFUW3LY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1-I>
> used 1-1/4" aluminum polished tube I bought off amazon for my main
> horizontal upper support (
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I1E9B2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> ).
> I used 1" aluminum polished tube for my vertical supports (
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005IZ37HU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> )
> -I used 2 renogy mount brackets for the for outter corner of each panel (
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W49ZPPK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> )
> -On aft side of each panel, I mounted 2 strips of flat aluminum bar I got
> from Home Depot.  I doubled each bar to be extra strong.  Then, on these
> strips, I mounted rail clamps (
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TUNSR9Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> )
> that would attach to my 1-1/4" horizontal aluminum tube.
> -I bought a stainless steel tube cutter from Home Depot
> -On fore side of panels, on inner corner, this was the only corners not
> secured.  I mounted an angle bracket (aluminum) across this gap, for better
> support.
>
> I mounted my panels high enough so that I (I'm 6') could walk through the
> swim platform without ducking.  This required me to back into a slip at my
> yacht club to attach the panels and mounts to the dinghy davits, as it was
> too high and too far back to safely do on land.  People laughed at me when
> I was doing this, cause I had an umbrella hung upside down under all my
> work areas.  But, I never lost a screw or a tool into the water as a
> result!
>
> I think this covers everything I did. On a good day, I'm producing about
> 120 watts and hours, about 7~8 amps, from each panel.  I still alternate
> battery switch on batteries on outtings.  I only have 2 batteries, 2 4D. No
> starter battery.
>
> Pics of my setup: https://www.instagram.com/p/B1tXsSYAnMQ/ (Ensure to
> click
> arrow on pic to see more pics, there are 10 pics).
>
> Feel free to ask any questions on my setup.
> -Christian Caperton
> 1994 C320 "Canuck" #138 Monroe Harbor, Chicago, IL
>