solar power
- Thread starter redhead78
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Maine Sail recently posted this about some panels:
"Keep in mind that many of the inexpensive Chinese panels use a junction box that is robot applied and simply uses friction between the j-box and the panels leads to make the connection. I've come across two now that would not pass any current. They read open circuit voltage but after a season in salt air they would not pass any current."
The panels we use have the connectors soldered to the cell leads, not just pressed together like MS referenced. That would be a good clue. Unfortunately, you probably won't know till you buy one and look at it.
"Keep in mind that many of the inexpensive Chinese panels use a junction box that is robot applied and simply uses friction between the j-box and the panels leads to make the connection. I've come across two now that would not pass any current. They read open circuit voltage but after a season in salt air they would not pass any current."
The panels we use have the connectors soldered to the cell leads, not just pressed together like MS referenced. That would be a good clue. Unfortunately, you probably won't know till you buy one and look at it.
30 watts isn't much. What would you want the panel to do? Maintain or charge a battery while away from the boat? Power while out on the water?
Panels are so cheap why not go larger if you have room and you are looking at more than just maintaining a battery.
We use solar on both boats and love it....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-22.html
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-33.html
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-electrical/electrical-index.html
Good luck,
Sum
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I have one of the Ganz panels, bought it 2 years ago and it's worked great since.
http://sailingit.com/blog/boat-projects/solar-panel-mounting-and-installation
MS has commented a couple times that his only argument against Ganz is that he thinks they are too pricy. Mine works perfect for me, they are good panel and you can install it with confidence.
I get about 1A from mine with the Genasun GV-4 controller, with a 155AH battery bank, and have not attached to shore power for over 2 years now. Clearly if I had a larger bank and electrical need I would have had to go with a larger panel, but it is still working great for me. I sucked the batteries down pretty good a few weeks ago with the inverter running at 120% of it's sustained output rating for a good while to power a heat gun doing some electrical work relating to the new fuel system, and when I went back to the boat last Saturday the batteries were sitting at float. Given the amount of shade the boat is getting at the marina yard that was more than I expected.
http://sailingit.com/blog/boat-projects/solar-panel-mounting-and-installation
MS has commented a couple times that his only argument against Ganz is that he thinks they are too pricy. Mine works perfect for me, they are good panel and you can install it with confidence.
I get about 1A from mine with the Genasun GV-4 controller, with a 155AH battery bank, and have not attached to shore power for over 2 years now. Clearly if I had a larger bank and electrical need I would have had to go with a larger panel, but it is still working great for me. I sucked the batteries down pretty good a few weeks ago with the inverter running at 120% of it's sustained output rating for a good while to power a heat gun doing some electrical work relating to the new fuel system, and when I went back to the boat last Saturday the batteries were sitting at float. Given the amount of shade the boat is getting at the marina yard that was more than I expected.
Calculate your electrical loads and time between sailings. From that you can decide the correct size of the panel.
I like the Ganz panel I use for the house battery. If they were less pricy, I would have chosen a pair of 55 watt Ganz panels over the 100 watt rigid-framed one I am using for charging the traction batteries.
I sail typically twice a week with little demand on the "house" battery. A Ganz 12 watt panel keeps the house battery fully charged for me. Use a Genasun controller to optimize the charging.
My boat also has a 24 volt, 210 amp-hour battery bank to power a Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 electric motor. A 100 watt Solarland solar panel and Genasun GV-BOOST charge controller brings this bank of batteries to a full charge before each outing. I can motor at 2-3 knots for up to 16 hours confirming Torqeedo's claims on their website.
I like the Ganz panel I use for the house battery. If they were less pricy, I would have chosen a pair of 55 watt Ganz panels over the 100 watt rigid-framed one I am using for charging the traction batteries.
I sail typically twice a week with little demand on the "house" battery. A Ganz 12 watt panel keeps the house battery fully charged for me. Use a Genasun controller to optimize the charging.
My boat also has a 24 volt, 210 amp-hour battery bank to power a Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 electric motor. A 100 watt Solarland solar panel and Genasun GV-BOOST charge controller brings this bank of batteries to a full charge before each outing. I can motor at 2-3 knots for up to 16 hours confirming Torqeedo's claims on their website.
I have a pair of ganz 30 watts and a Chinese 40 watt on a
Gemini marine products bimini. It works well but i want a little more power to run the fridge. Gemini has a very elegant system to mount panels above your bimini.
This year I will be sliding the moveable Gemini brackets back to add another 150 watts.
I found a 50 watt ganz knockoff on Amazon for 1/2 what a ganz goes for.
Gemini marine products bimini. It works well but i want a little more power to run the fridge. Gemini has a very elegant system to mount panels above your bimini.
This year I will be sliding the moveable Gemini brackets back to add another 150 watts.
I found a 50 watt ganz knockoff on Amazon for 1/2 what a ganz goes for.
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