New Battery

[w4swk]

Our 22 ( I really need to name this boat one day!) has been in storage for a bit and a new battery is in order. I will be installing a Lithium and will relocate it more forward...removing 100 pounds of battery and replacing it with the same capacity but 24 pounds!!! At the same time, I will probably upgrade my solar to 100+ watts...small boat, so this will require some head scratching!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Not sure what your question is but don’t neglect the voltage drop from the extra cable which, if sized correctly, will offset some of the weight savings. I have no clue how easy it is to run 2/0 cables the length of your boat.

 

[w4swk]

Not sure what your question is but don’t neglect the voltage drop from the extra cable which, if sized correctly, will offset some of the weight savings. I have no clue how easy it is to run 2/0 cables the length of your boat.

Thank you for the post! Actually, I have the voltage drop calculated...probably not a lot of loss in 3 feet of 6AWG wire for just a few amps. I kinda used it as a segue into ideas for mounting the new panels!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Thank you for the post! Actually, I have the voltage drop calculated...probably not a lot of loss in 3 feet of 6AWG wire for just a few amps. I kinda used it as a segue into ideas for mounting the new panels!

Got it. I inferred, apparently incorrectly, that you intend to run the cable the length of the boat. 3feet (both ways) is negligible consideration.

 

[ShawnL]

Last year I had a small panel that I used to just leave on the cockpit bench on the port side. It did ok, but was too small. This year I have a 50watt panel on the top of the sliding companionway hatch. It's not ideal, because it can be shaded by the boom, but so far it's been doing fine. I was also thinking about mounting it on the bow on top of the small hatch there (I have a '72) if it didn't work out where it is now. Not a lot of options on a '22.

I don't sail with it there, we put it up in the v-berth when sailing. We only day-sail and it's enough to recharge the battery from a day of using the depth sounder, gps, and auto pilot a bit, etc.

 

[w4swk]

Last year I had a small panel that I used to just leave on the cockpit bench on the port side. It did ok, but was too small. This year I have a 50watt panel on the top of the sliding companionway hatch. It's not ideal, because it can be shaded by the boom, but so far it's been doing fine. I was also thinking about mounting it on the bow on top of the small hatch there (I have a '72) if it didn't work out where it is now. Not a lot of options on a '22.

I don't sail with it there, we put it up in the v-berth when sailing. We only day-sail and it's enough to recharge the battery from a day of using the depth sounder, gps, and auto pilot a bit, etc.

Thanks! We currently have a 50 watt panel…we mostly run fans, radios, cell phones and lights (LED). We do OK for a few days but I’m wanting to upgrade to 100+. I have seen people build structures over the cockpit, but I’m not sure I want to go to that much trouble…

 

[Stu Jackson]

I will be installing a Lithium and will relocate it more forward..........I will probably upgrade my solar to 100+ watts...small boat, so this will require some head scratching!

Nice plans.
Have you taken into consideration the requirement to have a controller on the solar output to control voltage?
Have you taken into consideration the charging limitations of lith chemistry?

 

[w4swk]

Nice plans.
Have you taken into consideration the requirement to have a controller on the solar output to control voltage?
Have you taken into consideration the charging limitations of lith chemistry?

Thanks for the post! Yes...I will install the proper MPPT...yes on the charging...I have lithium battery banks in other applications here at the hangar...charging lithium batteries these days is not as tedious as it was a few years ago...it's like everything else, Stu...just throw money at it!

 

[Gene Neill]

Our two articulating 30W panels might provide enough, or you could do something similar with larger panels ...

 

[w4swk]

Our two articulating 30W panels might provide enough, or you could do something similar with larger panels ...

Hi Gene...thank you for the input and video. I will probably do something like you have. I currently have a 50w panel that I just "fashion" onto the forward deck, but would like something a little more....elegant. My hope is to install 2 50w panels (would like 2 x 100 but it's a small boat). Currently, I have a little table that I mount on the starboard pulpit but maybe I could relocate it. I like the idea of a panel on each side pf the boat (such as what you have). Another thought I had was to build a hardtop bimini, but I don't think it would trailer well. More head scratching is in order...thanks again and I look forward to chatting soon.

Ken and Sharlene

P.S. I have family in Florida...one of these days we should meet up and go sail the Keys!!!!

 

[Benny17441]

I think the only question being posed is where to locate a 100W solar panel in a 22'boat? Sorry, cannot think of a single long term practical location, but perhaps revisiting the intended use for the boat, the power needs and the need for solar charging, might yield the possibility of using a smaller perhaps portable panel.

 

[w4swk]

I think the only question being posed is where to locate a 100W solar panel in a 22'boat? Sorry, cannot think of a single long term practical location, but perhaps revisiting the intended use for the boat, the power needs and the need for solar charging, might yield the possibility of using a smaller perhaps portable panel.

Actually, I am planning to install 2 50 watt panels…I already have a 50 watt but it sorta floats to different locations on the boat. I am attempting a little more elegant mounting …Bristol fashion as they say…