Sailing Vlog 30 Victron 100/30 Solar Charger Upgrade
I was wrong. You were right. Now let's fix this with a new 100v 30amp solar charger. Victron 100/30 solar charger with 400 watts of solar.
Thanks for Watching!
Matt Foster
SV Cadence
00:00 New Victron Charge Controller
00:50 Victron 75/15 with 400w Solar
02:40 Why Victron 100/30
06:48 The Installation
07:45 LED Light Tip
____
#sailing #victron #sailboats #thefosterjourney #solarsystem #Catalina387 #thefosters
The Foster Journey
Hi! We're a family of 3, working and cruising full-time. We sold our suburban life in 2020, sailed the US East Coast from Texas, and just wrapped up in the Bahamas. Now we're off to distant seas, learning as we go, and having a blast! In these weekly videos, you're invited to come along with us. We want to go all over the world and are working hard to carefully craft a long-term lifestyle. You're invited to watch as we share the journey from suburbia to sailing freely.
Channel Information:
Social Media Links:
Support The Foster Journey
At WeBoating.com, we profoundly acknowledge the unwavering dedication that The Foster Journey and other creators invests in crafting each and every video. Their passion for delivering exceptional content shines through every frame, and it's a labor of love that deserves your attention.
We invite you to watch their captivating videos and actively engage with their content, including their social media links above. Liking, commenting, and sharing their work goes a long way in fueling their creative fire.
We're also inviting you to explore any sponsorships and partnerships highlighted in the "Sailing Vlog 30 Victron 100/30 Solar Charger Upgrade" video description, or directly on YouTube. By considering their offerings or purchasing services and items, you not only support The Foster Journey but also the brands and collaborators they're associated with.
If you have any feedback, corrections, or additional information about The Foster Journey or their videos, please use the comment form below to share your thoughts with us.
Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting the creators we cherish. Your time and support truly matter!
On their sailing journey, The Foster Journey recently decided to upgrade their boat’s solar power setup with a Victron 100/30 Solar Charger, increasing their sailing efficiency and enjoyment.
Solar Power Update on Cadence
In the fall, The Foster Journey installed an impressive 400 watts of solar panels on their boat, Cadence. Along with a Victron charge controller rated at only 15 amps, they set up a solar system that could handle their sailing needs.
Upgrade Justification
However, after receiving comments about potential issues with the setup, such as the risk of burning down their boat, The Foster Journey decided to address those concerns by upgrading to a Victron 100/30 Solar Charger.
The main reason for this upgrade was that their existing charger was slightly underpowered. Initially, they had considered overpowering the charger to maximize output; however, upon further thought, they decided on a more balanced approach by slightly underpowering the system so it wouldn’t tax other components.
Upgrading Process and Installation
The process involved installing the new Victron 100/30 Solar Charger to ensure a more efficient balance between power output and system demands. This upgraded charger, substantially larger than the previous charge controllers in use, is designed to maximize their 400 watts of solar panel capacity without issue.
Installation Location
The Foster Journey noted that they installed the Victron 100/30 Solar Charger upside down, which is contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions. However, this was primarily done to minimize potential water ingress concerns and allow for easier access during future maintenance or upgrades.
Solar Power Benefits
With the upgraded Victron 100/30 Solar Charger in place, The Foster Journey enjoys an improved sailing experience as their boat can now harness more solar wattage efficiently. This leads to increased power output during long sunlit days, ensuring a continuous and reliable energy supply.
Other Upgrades and Improvements
In addition to the solar charger upgrade, The Foster Journey also showed off some other nifty upgrades on their boat. One example was a series of small but useful LED lights installed in dark cabinets for better visibility and ease of use.
These inexpensive yet efficient lighting solutions not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of their boat but also offered practical benefits, such as improved illumination in storage areas.
Conclusion
The Foster Journey’s upgrade from a Victron 7515 to a Victron 100/30 Solar Charger has proven to be a successful decision, enhancing the boat’s overall efficiency and improving their sailing experience. The new solar charger addresses previous concerns about safety and power balance while demonstrating thoughtful planning for future maintenance or upgrades.
As The Foster Journey continues on their marine adventure, they inspire fellow sailors to think critically about upgrading their own boats’ systems, focusing on both practicality and long-term benefits.
Sailing Vlog 30 Victron 100/30 Solar Charger Upgrade Locations
- Port Washington (40.8256561,-73.6981858)
- The Foster Journey's current location during this episode. (37.8945,-122.2294)
The Foster Journey Lastest Videos
End of Long Island Sound Sailing: Fishers Island from Port Jeff (Ep.203) | ⛵ The Foster Journey
Sailing the Length of Long Island Sound: Port Jeff to Fishers Island (Ep.203) Join us on SV Cadence, our Catalina 387, as we tackle a 55nm trek across the Long Island Sound! We’re wrapping up our time in Port Jefferson and heading East toward the beautif...
Why We Slowed Down, Patience is Pleasure. Sailing Vlog 36
Sailing Long Island to Port Jefferson, we decided to have a little chat about our new view on sailboat travel. *Sorry it's been a while since we posted - life happens, responsibilities and all, but we're glad to share this one with you!! Thanks for watchi...
2 Days Sailing Long Island Sound | Spinnaker Sailing | Northshore Harbor | ⛵ The Foster Journey
From 24 knots beam reach to smooth spinnaker sailing - these 2 days of sailing Long Island Sound were perfect! Join us at the anchorage for the sunset and underway as we sail. Thanks for tuning in this week! If you’d like to support our videos consider ...