marine charge controller

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Danmc
Danmc Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭
in Caravan, Recreational Vehicle, and Marine Power Systems #1
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Hi,   new here, and hope I am not offending the intentions of the group.  I have an Arco M65 panel on a sailboat , that runs ( or did) to a Sun Selector M8 charge controller.   The panel wires ran thru a water proof 2 pin connector which corroded or failed.  I cut the wires from the panel so I could remove it, and yes, I marked them so I could id pos and neg.  Unfortunately, don't laugh, I could not resist taking the  Boing ( ? ) connector apart to see why it failed  ( one the pin sheared off) , and then realized I had removed any way,  for me,  to identify which wire was pos/neg.  The installer had used 2 white wires from the connector.  Anyway, I think I sizzled the controller when I went to hook up the panel, so I think I need anew controller.  I get juice from the wires going to the battery, but the lights on the controller showing  analyzing, charging, etc, are not lighting.   I want to replace the controller, but simply connect the new one to the wires leading to and from the existing controller.   The existing controller has 2 orange and one brown coming out.  I think each orange goes to one battery in my 2 battery bank, wired in parallel.  There is another 2 batter bank, but that is, I believe, the starting bank.  I also have a selector switch with Off, 1, both, and 2 on it .  The Company making the old controller is out of business.   If you have stopped chuckling, and can recommend a charge controller please let me know.  The arco panel says 43 watts, max 3.68 amps, max volts 20,  5 amp fuse. Many thanks for any suggestions.  Dan McElwreath
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Morningstar solar makes some small, marine rated controllers.
    https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/sunsaver/

    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,003 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
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    Midnite's Brat has water proof connections and unit, not real cheap at $75, says discontinued, but they have a current model of the brat I think.
    MidNite Solar Brat PWM Solar Charge Controller for 1224 Volts

    https://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-mnbrat-discounted.html

    Specialty Concepts - ASC still make one unit, and still make them for others integrated (like gate openers and electric fences)

    I used one for an early system and it actually had contacts in a little clear case, after a couple years I bought another for my boat with the new encased contacts like this one; I put the other one with a 40 watt panel on my dads pontoon boat and it lasted another couple years even with the open contacts.

    EBay listing some might already be gone, but I think he's saying it's working and $16 delivered with eBays money back if he doesn't honor his agreement;


    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Specialty-Concepts-ASC-12-8-A-Battery-Charge-Regulator-/184316893933



    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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