Hello, I'm looking for find a good solar panel for my sailboat. I have my boat moorned on a lake that does not allow gas engines. I'm planning on powering a radio and a trolling motor. I'm wondering what solar panels you have been pleased with and where do you have them mounted? I plan on mounting mine right in front of the mast on the deck. Has anyone used the BP SX-20-M or sx-10 models before? -Steve
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solar is good
Ive used solar on my boats and RVs for over 10 years now. If you are going to get one to put on the deck where you will need to step on it, you need to get the flexible kind made on plastic encapusated stainless steel. they are limited in power to just replacing a small amount of use in a whole day. And that's just for one battery. You need more power if you have more batteries or use a lot of amps per day. If you can figure a way to mount a rigid panel with glass topping, and aluminum frame, you can go much higher in amperage to seriously recharge what you might use in one day of sailing or overnighting. Get the largest you have room for. The larger the panel, the more amps it wil put out. The more amps or watts it's rated for, the less the cost per amp. With careful use, or for just one a day of sailing use, a 30 watt panel will do. For more extended use or day and night use, 40 or 50 is much better. With the higher wattage or amp panels you will need to also purchase a charge controller to avoid overcharging your battereis and to prevent backflow at night. Solar panel makers are experiencing such a world wide demand right now that they are in short supply except for huge arrays designed for home and business rooftops. smaller units are at premium prices. I've used UniSolar but I understand they are no longer making the flexible panesl you can walk on. Other brands may be available. I've been extremely pleased with the Kyocera 120 watt panels I have on my travel trailer, and the 50 watt panel for my boat. They provided the most watts for the dollar too. The only maintenance is just washing off the dust from the surface every few weeks. they will charge even with 4" of snow on top. I mounted mine with super exterior velcro, to the sliding hatch top. The boom only shades it for an hour a day. This summer I am constructing a stainless steel arch for the rear, to extend over the motor, beyhond the bimimi. There will be no shadow there, and it can also mount antennae, lights, etc. HOpe this helps.
Ive used solar on my boats and RVs for over 10 years now. If you are going to get one to put on the deck where you will need to step on it, you need to get the flexible kind made on plastic encapusated stainless steel. they are limited in power to just replacing a small amount of use in a whole day. And that's just for one battery. You need more power if you have more batteries or use a lot of amps per day. If you can figure a way to mount a rigid panel with glass topping, and aluminum frame, you can go much higher in amperage to seriously recharge what you might use in one day of sailing or overnighting. Get the largest you have room for. The larger the panel, the more amps it wil put out. The more amps or watts it's rated for, the less the cost per amp. With careful use, or for just one a day of sailing use, a 30 watt panel will do. For more extended use or day and night use, 40 or 50 is much better. With the higher wattage or amp panels you will need to also purchase a charge controller to avoid overcharging your battereis and to prevent backflow at night. Solar panel makers are experiencing such a world wide demand right now that they are in short supply except for huge arrays designed for home and business rooftops. smaller units are at premium prices. I've used UniSolar but I understand they are no longer making the flexible panesl you can walk on. Other brands may be available. I've been extremely pleased with the Kyocera 120 watt panels I have on my travel trailer, and the 50 watt panel for my boat. They provided the most watts for the dollar too. The only maintenance is just washing off the dust from the surface every few weeks. they will charge even with 4" of snow on top. I mounted mine with super exterior velcro, to the sliding hatch top. The boom only shades it for an hour a day. This summer I am constructing a stainless steel arch for the rear, to extend over the motor, beyhond the bimimi. There will be no shadow there, and it can also mount antennae, lights, etc. HOpe this helps.
Solar Panels
If you want to recharge for a trolling motor you are going to need some big palels. Only hope might be to mount them on a bracket off the stern. That still won't most likely give you enough of a recharge to get the bats. up after much trolling motor use. Wind powered charging systems provide more power, but are big and heavy. Maybe a portable gererater might be needed to get the bats. recharged on multiday trips.
If you want to recharge for a trolling motor you are going to need some big palels. Only hope might be to mount them on a bracket off the stern. That still won't most likely give you enough of a recharge to get the bats. up after much trolling motor use. Wind powered charging systems provide more power, but are big and heavy. Maybe a portable gererater might be needed to get the bats. recharged on multiday trips.
alternative - 2 batts
I agree, depending on how long you motor, you'll need more than the typical $100 5 watt solar cell panel. Why not get 2 batteries, and swap them every time out. and charge it at home... yes it will be heavy, but a solar setup to meet your needs will probalby run about $250 - $500 plus the arch.... I'm guessing night sailor will have over a grand in his setup...
I agree, depending on how long you motor, you'll need more than the typical $100 5 watt solar cell panel. Why not get 2 batteries, and swap them every time out. and charge it at home... yes it will be heavy, but a solar setup to meet your needs will probalby run about $250 - $500 plus the arch.... I'm guessing night sailor will have over a grand in his setup...
2 Battery charger set up
Hi, I wanted solar at first and then I went to a two battery setup. One in each bilge set up on leveling platforms. I have both of these run to a master switch that allows use of one battery at a time or both. My boat is set up with shore power, so I have a built in battery charger that will charge both batteries with out them being removed from there location. I run a VHF radio, compass, depth guage, knot meter, fish finder, running lights, mast light anchor light and three interior cabin lights. I can run all these things with this arrangement for a month off one battery. My boat is permently moored so I sail a minimum of 5 days a week and at least 2 night sails a week. When I have drained one battery and into the second ( I have a charge meter hooked to both batteries) I will get a transient slip for the night so I can plug in and charge up. This works great and a night at the docks can be fun but why people pay that kind of money to stay in a neigborhood (marina) is beyond me. Give me my mooring bouy any time. Good luck and have fun. Stu
Hi, I wanted solar at first and then I went to a two battery setup. One in each bilge set up on leveling platforms. I have both of these run to a master switch that allows use of one battery at a time or both. My boat is set up with shore power, so I have a built in battery charger that will charge both batteries with out them being removed from there location. I run a VHF radio, compass, depth guage, knot meter, fish finder, running lights, mast light anchor light and three interior cabin lights. I can run all these things with this arrangement for a month off one battery. My boat is permently moored so I sail a minimum of 5 days a week and at least 2 night sails a week. When I have drained one battery and into the second ( I have a charge meter hooked to both batteries) I will get a transient slip for the night so I can plug in and charge up. This works great and a night at the docks can be fun but why people pay that kind of money to stay in a neigborhood (marina) is beyond me. Give me my mooring bouy any time. Good luck and have fun. Stu
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