I am wanting to install some solar power. Has anyone done this and what do I need to add solar power to my boat?
Solar power
- Thread starter Jerry75
- Start date
- Status
Well,,,,,,, That is a broad subject. Solar can go from a couple bucks to a BOAT buck or two. If you are going for a larger setup, be sure to get a MPPT controller. They are expensive but will increase the output 20-25%.
I have a 130W panel and an MPPT controller. The panel will put out around 7.5 amps on a sunny day and the controller will increase that to almost 9 amps going to the battery. The increase is more dramatic on a lower charged state battery.
I have a 130W panel and an MPPT controller. The panel will put out around 7.5 amps on a sunny day and the controller will increase that to almost 9 amps going to the battery. The increase is more dramatic on a lower charged state battery.
Did I say it was on my X?
Actually, right now it is on my tow vehicle, a Ford Class B Camper Van. It has a electric refer that is murder on batteries. Now that I have experience with it I am looking at solar for the X. In my case, I believe 130W would be overkill. I am investigating smaller systems but will stay with an MPPT controller.
Ken
Actually, right now it is on my tow vehicle, a Ford Class B Camper Van. It has a electric refer that is murder on batteries. Now that I have experience with it I am looking at solar for the X. In my case, I believe 130W would be overkill. I am investigating smaller systems but will stay with an MPPT controller.
Ken
I have both an MPPT type solar controller (also not on a sailboat) and a newer PWM type controller (on a sailboat). I get about the same boost in current as Ken with the MPPT controller - 15 to 20 percent typically and that is very cool.
I want to point out one thing about MPPT controllers and that is that they seem to be targeted for much larger systems than we typically have and are not very cost effective in smaller systems.
A fairly quick look and the cheapest MPPT controller I could find was the Blue Sky SB2512i, 25A and 12V. Cost is $197.51.
A good PWM type controller is the Sunsaver 10 10 amp for $50 Note that this controller will work up to about 150 watt panel size. (this is the one I have on my boat).
So going from the Sunsaver 10 to the Blue Sky SB2512i is a difference in cost of $147 and you increased the output current by 15 to 20% - ie, 1.2.
But compare system price to simply going to a larger panel size. Ill use the Kyocera line as an example but the 20 watt panel is $184. If I put the price difference of the charge controller options of $147 towards the panel cost, I can now buy 65 watt panel (cost $339). For the same amount of money, the power output went up by a HUGE factor of 3.25 - rather than 1.2 achieved by the MPPT controller.
In the case of a 40 watt panel (cost $246), using the $147 controller cost difference on the panel can buy a panel in the 80 watt range. Ie, a factor of 2 times the power vs 1.2.
Of course, larger panels are.. larger .. and take up more room which you dont have much of on a sailboat. So the higher cost of the MPPT may be worth it in some cases.
Anyone know of a less expensive MPPT controller targeted towards a trailer sailer - maybe more like 10 amps capability?
I want to point out one thing about MPPT controllers and that is that they seem to be targeted for much larger systems than we typically have and are not very cost effective in smaller systems.
A fairly quick look and the cheapest MPPT controller I could find was the Blue Sky SB2512i, 25A and 12V. Cost is $197.51.
A good PWM type controller is the Sunsaver 10 10 amp for $50 Note that this controller will work up to about 150 watt panel size. (this is the one I have on my boat).
So going from the Sunsaver 10 to the Blue Sky SB2512i is a difference in cost of $147 and you increased the output current by 15 to 20% - ie, 1.2.
But compare system price to simply going to a larger panel size. Ill use the Kyocera line as an example but the 20 watt panel is $184. If I put the price difference of the charge controller options of $147 towards the panel cost, I can now buy 65 watt panel (cost $339). For the same amount of money, the power output went up by a HUGE factor of 3.25 - rather than 1.2 achieved by the MPPT controller.
In the case of a 40 watt panel (cost $246), using the $147 controller cost difference on the panel can buy a panel in the 80 watt range. Ie, a factor of 2 times the power vs 1.2.
Of course, larger panels are.. larger .. and take up more room which you dont have much of on a sailboat. So the higher cost of the MPPT may be worth it in some cases.
Anyone know of a less expensive MPPT controller targeted towards a trailer sailer - maybe more like 10 amps capability?
I agree, Walt. I was space restricted so 130 was as large as I could go and I needed all the juice I could get. You have heard that folks don't use small apt sized refers on boats because of the power draw. I can confirm that. The one in the van will totally kill two large AGM in one day without additional power.
When the panel output current gets near the controller rated current, the MPPT makes huge sense.
For example, 320 watts of panel put out about 20 amps (seems all the MPPT controllers are rated for 25 amps). So for the cost of an MPPT controller assuming its $100 over a non MPPT capable of 20 amps, you get an extra
320 * .2 = 64 watts. 64 watts of panel is a lot more expensive than the extra $100 for the MPPT controller. Even at 130 watts, the MPPT probably starts to make sense.
Ive got 60 watts of solar panel now consisting of a 20 watt panel permanently on the deck just in front of the mast (not a very good location) and a 40 watt panel on a pole mounted off the rear railing - there is already a thread on this on the trailer forum http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=110799
With 60 watts, Im in pretty good shape for extended cruising as long as I dont have some sort of fridge. The boat is currently on a mooring so now I have to find ways to use some of that extra power. Some nights Ill rig up a string of LED Christmas lights on a light activated timer. I dont know if this is a legal "anchor light" or not, in this case it doesnt matter since boats are not allowed to used on this lake at night.
A little off subject but I was taking pictures of the boat/lights this Saturday night. There was a Thunderstorm in the distance and some of the pictures had the sky lit up.
One of the pictures is very interesting as it is an UPWARDS heading lightning bolt.. The storm was over Guffy Colorado and aliens are known to live there so maybe that explains things.
For example, 320 watts of panel put out about 20 amps (seems all the MPPT controllers are rated for 25 amps). So for the cost of an MPPT controller assuming its $100 over a non MPPT capable of 20 amps, you get an extra
320 * .2 = 64 watts. 64 watts of panel is a lot more expensive than the extra $100 for the MPPT controller. Even at 130 watts, the MPPT probably starts to make sense.
Ive got 60 watts of solar panel now consisting of a 20 watt panel permanently on the deck just in front of the mast (not a very good location) and a 40 watt panel on a pole mounted off the rear railing - there is already a thread on this on the trailer forum http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=110799
With 60 watts, Im in pretty good shape for extended cruising as long as I dont have some sort of fridge. The boat is currently on a mooring so now I have to find ways to use some of that extra power. Some nights Ill rig up a string of LED Christmas lights on a light activated timer. I dont know if this is a legal "anchor light" or not, in this case it doesnt matter since boats are not allowed to used on this lake at night.
A little off subject but I was taking pictures of the boat/lights this Saturday night. There was a Thunderstorm in the distance and some of the pictures had the sky lit up.
One of the pictures is very interesting as it is an UPWARDS heading lightning bolt.. The storm was over Guffy Colorado and aliens are known to live there so maybe that explains things.
Attachments
Great picture Walt!
We just got a 40 watt panel from Solar Blvd...
http://www.solarblvd.com/index.php?cat=c40_20---55-Watt--6-.html
...........for $159.00 and a Morningstar Sunguard SG-4 4.5A, 12V Pwm Charge Controller for $27. I was going to buy a bigger controller, but they said I was wasting my money and said to go with the cheaper one if I was only going to be using the 40 watt panel, which is what we will be using. I got these items from them in just a couple days and we live in the middle of nowhere. I was happy with the service.
I also bought a digital 12 volt meter.....
....from them before and on this order got one of their digital amp meters that matches the volt meter.
c ya,
Sum
Volt Meter Install......
Our Mac Pages
Mac Links
mount ideas for your panels:
http://www.solarstik.com/marine.php
fwiw, I saw a 26S going the otherways in the keys. (8mo's ago).
it was either mounted on the stern rail, or on a post on the stern. looked like a 2 dimension rotation... maybe 3 dim.. about a 2'x2' panel,
the solar stick is very nice out of the box solution, they go to the boat shows each year... also Steph post on the 'ask all sailors' as "boat babe" (they have a hunter26 wb model)...
http://www.solarstik.com/marine.php
fwiw, I saw a 26S going the otherways in the keys. (8mo's ago).
it was either mounted on the stern rail, or on a post on the stern. looked like a 2 dimension rotation... maybe 3 dim.. about a 2'x2' panel,
the solar stick is very nice out of the box solution, they go to the boat shows each year... also Steph post on the 'ask all sailors' as "boat babe" (they have a hunter26 wb model)...
In regard to a solar system for sailing, we have had total success with our latest system described here (about half way down the page): http://www.holderness.info/index.ph...er_op=view_page&PAGE_id=11&MMN_position=27:27
We never drain more than 10 percent from the battery with VHF, depth, DVD, cabin lights, anchor light, charging AA and AAA batteries, fans on hot nights, sound system, SSB, etc. - and we cruise for a week at a time.
I also favor a single large battery vs two batteries. Besides not needing the power, twin systems usually require one to monitor and constantly select which battery to drain and charge. Why complicate life - I'd rather go sailing!
I also went with the led battery/charge monitor. Again, I don't want to be reading a volt meter and referring to a chart. My tester cost $8 and does this all for me. Be sure to get one that also tests "alternator" as that model will also monitor the system under charge.
Chris
We never drain more than 10 percent from the battery with VHF, depth, DVD, cabin lights, anchor light, charging AA and AAA batteries, fans on hot nights, sound system, SSB, etc. - and we cruise for a week at a time.
I also favor a single large battery vs two batteries. Besides not needing the power, twin systems usually require one to monitor and constantly select which battery to drain and charge. Why complicate life - I'd rather go sailing!
I also went with the led battery/charge monitor. Again, I don't want to be reading a volt meter and referring to a chart. My tester cost $8 and does this all for me. Be sure to get one that also tests "alternator" as that model will also monitor the system under charge.
Chris
solar
I am looking to install some solar panels. I am planing on sailing for extended periods. Any on have pics of what they have done?
I am looking to install some solar panels. I am planing on sailing for extended periods. Any on have pics of what they have done?
- Status