General power questions regarding solar and a cup of tea.

[Kordie]

So I have two 140w panels on my boat along with an air turbine. Plenty of power when the boat is unattended going to waste.

My boat is currently at a marina plugged into shore power. Battery charger is keeping the batteries constantly topped up and no power really is being used.

The other option would be to leave the shore power off and just let the solar keep the batteries topped up.

Are there any reasons to steer towards shore power or solar power when the boat is unattended? Advantages or disadvantages come to mind?

Only thing I can think of is that if there is a leak and the bilge pumps are running a lot then there may be an issue with the pump discharging the batteries, especially overnight when the solar is having a little rest.

Whilst cruising we like to boil the kettle often for a cup of tea (We are Australians). So we fire up the gas and boil the kettle. No problems.

However on extended cruising away from civilisation our onboard gas supply is a finite resource whereas our electrical system will often produce more than we can use. So what if I bought a small 2-4 cup electric jug to boil the water?

I am worried that the 110VAC kettle will draw a shitload of current and maybe trip the circuit breakers. Or draw an excessive amount from the batteries, via the inverter.

Perhaps a 12 VDC element is an option?

Any advice on this?

Thanks

Simon

 

[Rick486]

So I have two 140w panels on my boat along with an air turbine. Plenty of power when the boat is unattended going to waste.

My boat is currently at a marina plugged into shore power. Battery charger is keeping the batteries constantly topped up and no power really is being used.

The other option would be to leave the shore power off and just let the solar keep the batteries topped up.

Are there any reasons to steer towards shore power or solar power when the boat is unattended? Advantages or disadvantages come to mind?

Only thing I can think of is that if there is a leak and the bilge pumps are running a lot then there may be an issue with the pump discharging the batteries, especially overnight when the solar is having a little rest.

Whilst cruising we like to boil the kettle often for a cup of tea (We are Australians). So we fire up the gas and boil the kettle. No problems.

However on extended cruising away from civilisation our onboard gas supply is a finite resource whereas our electrical system will often produce more than we can use. So what if I bought a small 2-4 cup electric jug to boil the water?

I am worried that the 110VAC kettle will draw a shitload of current and maybe trip the circuit breakers. Or draw an excessive amount from the batteries, via the inverter.

Perhaps a 12 VDC element is an option?

Any advice on this?

Thanks

Simon

Dunno about the kettle but every morning when we are on the hook I make a 6 cup pot of coffee off the inverter with no discernible affect on the batts. Only takes a couple of minutes, then I shut it off once the coffee is brewed. As it cools and I want another cup, I zap it in the microwave. All off the inverter.

 

[All U Get]

Re: General power questions regarding solar and a cup of tea

Same here, we have a 205w panel and it keeps the batts up while our boat is at our mooring. The microwave heats a cup of water in three minutes for coffee or tea off the inverter. Find out if you have any stray draws and then what you would use making your tea. Sounds like you have plenty. Do you pay extra for the shore power?
All U Get

 

[Don12364]

Re: General power questions regarding solar and a cup of tea

Re marina power versus solar/wind power, my experience is that on a weekend with the refrigerator going full blast to get the cabinet down to temp, plus lights, inverter and instruments, I find there is no guarantee that god has fully recharged my batteries in time for next weekend. Accordingly marina power is the more reliable.
BTW:- We don't run the frig continuously when we are not on board as we are trying to be green.