Solar Panels

Oct 30, 2019
4
I'm currently considering whether solar panels is the solution to my
power consumption problem. What's their efficiency especially at
light conditions like we have in the northern european countries?
Where should i mount a solar panel what size (W) and so forth.
I would like to avoid filling the boat with to many batteries as I
think I won't be able to keep them charged anyway. I find it
inconvenient having to bring a power cable ashort everytime I'm in a
marina as well. And in general I use the engine as little as possible

I sometimes go sailing for up to 48 hours in a row and i would like
to have enough power to serve the following equipment during that
period:
Cooling box: 1A
Auto steering: 1A
GPS+instruments: 0.7A

I have a single 75Ah battery in the boat which of course i do not
want to drain to much.

Any advice is apreciated.

Thanks
Jesper V-1221
 
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Jesper

First I think you must have two batteries. Solar panels are a good idea to
charge over a long period of time. If youneed more charging power then think
more in the line of a wind charger for the Northern Europe climate.

Cheers

Steve Birch
 
Oct 31, 2019
40
Jesper
I agree with Steve, I had an array of panels on V1460, almost 2 square
meters total. 2 big ones mounted aft and high on a mount, and 3 smaller ones
above the cabin, always stepping around them and worrying about breakage, I
do not remember the wattage and my power consumption was about the same as
yours adding 1A for my VHF radio. It just did not keep up after day 2 if it
was sunny and only a day if it was shorter days or hazy out. They were good
for keeping my 2 batteries topped off when in the marina or on a mooring but
did not provide enough dependable power. On the other hand I installed an
Air-X wind generator http://www.nwpwr.com/products/wind/air_x_marine.htm
and now have an abundance of power to run everything all the time with no
panels at all and it costs less than I spent on my panel array and I don't
have to worry about breaking the panels all the time.

If there's enough air to sail your making power, if not your running the
engine anyway so it's a win win situation. I am not economical with my power
at all and have never run short with the small wind gen and 2 deep cycle
batteries

Claude W.
Alaerel V1460
 
Oct 31, 2019
2
I use Modern intelligence for business' solar energy | Naps Solar Systems
and there maxpower aggregate. The solar panel is on top of the cover to
the cabin hatch. I have three batteries. One for the start motor and two
for general consumption (150 Ah ). The naps power aggregate keeps the
batteries loaded even during the winter here in Stockholm. I am planning
to ad en extra solar panel in front of the existing one on the cabin roof.

I have replaced my Albin O21 10 years ago to a Nanni diesel (basically a
kubota engine) with 10,5 hp. The generator can generate 60 A or one hp
(750 W).

For size an so on see:

Vega 77

jfalkebo wrote:
 
May 12, 2005
14
Hi Steve, Andy and others!

Here is a complement to the lowest numbers of Vega (of course still in
Sweden/Europe):

No 1 is produced in Mahogany (as it is named) / Trelleborg, swedish
southcoast
No 2 "Elvira" / Akersberga, NE of Stockholm
No 3 "Jojo" / Svinninge, NE of Stockholm
No 4 "Zorba" / Gothenburg, swedish westcoast

Highest number that I have found is
3444 "Velgia", Portsmouth / England
(What I have read there was 3445 Vegas produced).Gustaf
"Hinemoana"
V59, Sweden