Solar decision.....

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Sanman

Sanman

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Aug 28, 2006
109
- - Birmingham, AL
OK... Another question... I'd like to put a solar panel on the boat, I am trying to do some research on the best panel, that is still affordable to use on my boat... I have Dual batteries, and want something that I can stay out for awhile with, without having to run my engine every day... I've looked at the Sunsei 1500 20 watt, but it is really big and heavy, and mounting option seems to be limited to screwing it down on deck...The smaller one, the 500 has a cool rail mount, but it is only a 7 watt panel...Hmmmm I had an 11 watt flexible panel on the last boat, and it did ok, but only had one Battery with not much load other than a couple of fans and cabin lights... On the new boat, I would like to put in a 12volt Refrigerating cooler, and perhaps a stereo...soooo what models do y'all like? and why? Any suggestions on what I should look at?

I'm just trying to find out what the consensus would be as far as an affordable, effective solar set up on my boat.... any direction to previous posts on this topic would also be appreciated, too.
 
KD3PC

KD3PC

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Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
you will need far more than 20Watts to do what you want...and a good mounting and charge controller.

Best bet is to do a solar power requirements worksheet...and then go from there...I have a 120 watt panel to keep the batteries charged, bilge working and the stereo and a few lights. Still have to watch usage, and that does not include the fridge...

there are worksheets here and on the solar panel pages to help

dave
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Agree with kd3pc

20 watts is only 20W/12volts=1.7 amps max!!! Factor in shading and morning and afternoon when the sun is not "exactly" aligned, clouds.....and you are only going to get maybe 5 hours of effective sunshine. 5 hours X 1.7 amps gives a VERY optimistic 8.5 amp hours per sunny day.
All panels are not created equal. A 36 cell unit will do much better at charging batteries than 34 or 32 cell units and amorphous silicon units handle partial shading better than the others which have massive voltage drop when partially shaded.
I've seen 2-120 watt panels on boats and they still have to charge batteries due to refrigeration loads. Without the reefer you can get by with a much smaller panel(s) though. Reefer with well insulated box will be drawing something over 50 amp hours per day.
The secret to having electricity on a boat is balancing the production-storage-usage equation. The primary being the usage.
For the record looking at long term cruisers will give you an idea of how hard it is to keep batteries charge and have the creature comforts. They have massive solar panels, wind, hydro and a big alternator.
From a cost standpoint you really can't beat an alternator, hydro comes in next then wind and finally solar. Course from an esthetic standpoint the order is of course reversed.
 
Sanman

Sanman

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Aug 28, 2006
109
- - Birmingham, AL
Re: Agree with kd3pc

Soooo ok.. forget the Refr. It was a passing thought anyway... If I want to keep my batteries up with a "Normal" house load i.e. Lights & stereo would a 20w do me right? Sorry to be a complete dummy about this...:confused:
 
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F

Forrest15112

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Jan 22, 2008
423
Catalina 30 Mandeville, La.
Solar isn't very effective with regard to power output. Your best bet is to setup a battery bank large enough to handle your calculated needs and charge it with a combination of methods - alternator, solar, etc. What you meed is to be able to replenish what you use at night as well as what you are using during the daytime. That small panel won't do both very well. If you only make short cruises like a few days max, you can put enough backup battery to handle your needs and mainly recharge with the engine or shore power. Small solar panels are useful for trickle charging and not feeding a load.
 
Sanman

Sanman

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Aug 28, 2006
109
- - Birmingham, AL
Thanks for the links! Looks like I will forgo the refrigerator...and go with a 40 watt panel. that should keep the batts up at anchor between shore power recharges... Plus, I am going to LED cabin lights in 4 out of 5 and will be crossing over to LED nav lights for next season, reducing the demand further. May also invest in a Honda Eu2000i (if I can find suitable storage onboard.
Thanks again to everybody, who have offered advice and intel !!!
 
dewhunter

dewhunter

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Sep 28, 2008
66
Hunter 26 Ghost lake
solar with cooler/freezer

As an H26 owner with a 12/24/110V cooler/freezer on board I find a 90 watt solar panel with 2 G29 batteries provides enough power to keep frozen stuff frozen and can even refreeze gell packs for the cooler in the galley. On low sunlight days the 15amp alternator in the 15 hp merc out board brings the batteries back up in 2-3 hours of motoring. So you see you to can have your comforts. Gary.
 
Bob 04 H260

Bob 04 H260

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May 16, 2007
1,509
Boatless ! 26 Ottawa, Ontario
what are you using for a freezer ? what size is it ? where do you keep it on the boat ?
Thanks, Bob
 
M

mbills2

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Nov 13, 2009
11
Hunter 25 Lake Norman, NC
How do you guys hook up the two batteries. Do you just use one and charge the other or are they hooked up to each other? I'm also interesting in going solar.
 
dewhunter

dewhunter

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Sep 28, 2008
66
Hunter 26 Ghost lake
solar/freezer

Bob 04 H260 said:
what are you using for a freezer ? what size is it ? where do you keep it on the boat ?
Thanks, Bob
Click to expand
It's WAECO #CF110C110 112qt and can be found at west marine for959.00. I got mine from a rv dealer last year for 1000.00cdn. I keep it in the aft berth, you do have to tun it to access the inside but this spot keeps it secure in rough weather. This spring I'm thinking of opening up the vberth and mounting the freezer under the cushions. All that is there is water bladders and air, lots of space for the freezer. Wiring the twin batteries; main power/outboard charging though 3 way power switch, off/bat1/bat2/both/. Solar from panel regulator to high amp diodes at each battery, low flow(amp)resistor on one battery to provide voltage sense for regulator. Both batteries charge at the same time on solar and either 1 or 2 on outboard, operators choice depending on state of charge of battery(ies).
 

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Bob 04 H260

Bob 04 H260

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May 16, 2007
1,509
Boatless ! 26 Ottawa, Ontario
thanks !

great idea, it should be even better when mounted under the v-berth,
Bob
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
dewhunter said:
It's WAECO #CF110C110 112qt and can be found at west marine for959.00. I got mine from a rv dealer last year for 1000.00cdn. I keep it in the aft berth, you do have to tun it to access the inside but this spot keeps it secure in rough weather. This spring I'm thinking of opening up the vberth and mounting the freezer under the cushions. All that is there is water bladders and air, lots of space for the freezer. Wiring the twin batteries; main power/outboard charging though 3 way power switch, off/bat1/bat2/both/. Solar from panel regulator to high amp diodes at each battery, low flow(amp)resistor on one battery to provide voltage sense for regulator. Both batteries charge at the same time on solar and either 1 or 2 on outboard, operators choice depending on state of charge of battery(ies).
Click to expand
Good info, thanks. We are probably going to buy the Waeco 50.....

http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Do...reezer-ACDC-CF-50-Trailer-Camper-RV_p_84.html

....... and we have one 40 watt panel now and will add at least another 40 watt panel and more if I can figure where to put it.

I have sleep apnea and run a CPAP machine for it that uses about 36-42 amp hours a night. I also run an alternator for about 15 min. a day now....





http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-13.html

...... an with it I can make up any shortage way quicker than running the outboard, which we run as little as possible. We don't need 110 on the boat, so no need for a 110 generator and most of those will charge 12 volts also, but usually at a very low rate, like 6 amps or so, similar to a small outboard. So if you use a 110 generator you really need to also carry a battery charger and they don't necessarily charge at a rate as high as a car alternator.

I got my solar panel......



http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-22.html

......from these guys............

http://www.solarblvd.com/product_info.php?info=p1401_Solar-Cynergy-40-Watt-12-Volt-Solar-Panel.html

............... and they have good prices and I was happy with the service. I'll order our second one from them. The 40 watt panel we got is now $135.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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dewhunter

dewhunter

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Sep 28, 2008
66
Hunter 26 Ghost lake
Genset

Hey Sum, that is a neat genset you built, I'm afraid I have too much stuff hanging off my stern and rails to add a genset like yours. I found a pic of the solar panel mount, I still have room to mount another panel if I need to without banging toes on the foredeck. You guys south of the 49th are lucky with all the low prices, everything up here is big bucks! Gary
 

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Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
dewhunter said:
Hey Sum, that is a neat genset you built.............. You guys south of the 49th are lucky with all the low prices, everything up here is big bucks! Gary
Click to expand
Thanks and one option on the 'big bucks' thing is if there is a substantial difference and not just the exchange rate deal have the item sent to a friend in the states. They could then ship to you as a 'gift'.

Of course I've never done this for anyone ;),

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links
 
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