I have heard many opinions and most articles give no definite answers. I can understand that, since truly , there are many variables here, there is no definite answer, but... What size solar panel would you consider sufficient : I have 250Ah house battery bank, and will have the boat on the mooring this season. I would hope to have my batteries charged up (or not depleated) when I return each weekend. Ideally I would like to leave the fridge running of the house bank. Assuming that the fridge draws 5 amp/hour and would run continuously for 10 hours /day = 50 amps/ day, x 5 days/week (when I am away) = 250 amps. Now, if I get 80w solar panel which produces almost 5 amps/ hour and runs full power 10 out of 24 hours, that would mean that it will produce the same power as the fridge would draw in the same time + the back up of 250AH of the battery house bank, would mean that I should have some juice left in the batteries when I come back to the boat for the weekend. Since the engine start battery is not in use that would mean that I always would have a back up to start the engine and recharge whats lost using the 55amp engine charger. Sooo ... am I correct in my assumptions? What have you fellow sailors experienced from the practical standpoint? I have about $500 to spend on solar panels. Prefere not to buy portable gasoline powered generators. Thank you for any input! Andre _/)
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panel size
You might need a bigger or second panel for the following reasons: The refir draws around 50 amps/day running intermittently. The panel you describe produces 50 amps/day. So far, so good but two things play here presuming you are quoting the panel power rating: 1. that 50 amp is the max it will produce on a sunny day with 10 hours of max sun (i.e., ideal conditions), and 2.there is no power loss in the system which is impossible. Somebody else here might know of a good URL link which has practical info on realistic panel sizes for your needs.
You might need a bigger or second panel for the following reasons: The refir draws around 50 amps/day running intermittently. The panel you describe produces 50 amps/day. So far, so good but two things play here presuming you are quoting the panel power rating: 1. that 50 amp is the max it will produce on a sunny day with 10 hours of max sun (i.e., ideal conditions), and 2.there is no power loss in the system which is impossible. Somebody else here might know of a good URL link which has practical info on realistic panel sizes for your needs.
This might help
I was asking someone about this yesterday, and was sent this link (which is a West Marine advisor article on solar panels.) I found it helpful. Dave Crowley s/v Wind Dreamer
I was asking someone about this yesterday, and was sent this link (which is a West Marine advisor article on solar panels.) I found it helpful. Dave Crowley s/v Wind Dreamer
I'd double the size of the solar panel
For a number of reasons... The days aren't always sunny. The boat won't always be pointed correctly to get the most from a solar panel. In practice you can only use 1/2 of the amp hour rating of the battery. Once the battery get's too low the fridge will no longer kick on. Also with time the solar panels degrade their output. Turn the fridge off when on the mooring. Just buy a big bag of ice when you take the boat out.
For a number of reasons... The days aren't always sunny. The boat won't always be pointed correctly to get the most from a solar panel. In practice you can only use 1/2 of the amp hour rating of the battery. Once the battery get's too low the fridge will no longer kick on. Also with time the solar panels degrade their output. Turn the fridge off when on the mooring. Just buy a big bag of ice when you take the boat out.
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