Sailing Zatara · video

What this video covers

Keith Whitaker installs an 1,800-watt solar array on the deck of Zatara, utilizing 100-watt walk-on panels secured with Sikaflex.1:44 The wiring runs through the stainless steel arch support into the starboard aft cabin, where it connects to a main bus bar and three smart solar charge controllers.0:45 To manage the array, the system incorporates thermal breakers for isolation and an SI Marine SC501 shunt for monitoring via a Pico controller.1:51 Scanstrut DSH6 deck seals provide waterproof cable entry points, chosen for their compact footprint in tight spaces.4:20 The panels are wired in a series-parallel configuration to mitigate power loss from boom and mast shading.5:25 The system currently produces 25 to 35 amps per hour during peak daylight hours.5:52 The installation allows for future expansion by adding controllers directly to the existing bus bar without modifying the battery bank connections.2:06 Proper series-parallel wiring math is essential for optimizing output in shaded conditions.6:38

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