What size solar power should I install? I have two deep cell batteries and I am out most weekends. I just run the stereo, one cabin light, the anchor light, and the 12 volt water pump.
Solar power
- Thread starter richiewil
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hello
I wanted solar power on my boat to... so I look long and hard on the internet, and finally found a complete setup on e-bay for less than $100... 2 - 30 watt solar panels, connectors, and 10 amp solar power controller... I like this setup.. easy to install and just the right size to attach the 2 solar panels to the slider top into the cabin.. works great and keep my batteries topped off.. and it diverts extra power to use in the cabin...
sincerely
Jess
I wanted solar power on my boat to... so I look long and hard on the internet, and finally found a complete setup on e-bay for less than $100... 2 - 30 watt solar panels, connectors, and 10 amp solar power controller... I like this setup.. easy to install and just the right size to attach the 2 solar panels to the slider top into the cabin.. works great and keep my batteries topped off.. and it diverts extra power to use in the cabin...
sincerely
Jess
I know I should learn more about power usage and calculate my usage in order to figure out my needs as to how big my panel should be. I currently have a 15 watt panel topping off two batteries and as a weekend sailor it works just fine. However, I am planning to do some multiple day trips and feel I will need more power to compensate for my usage. Apart from the radio, the cabin and mast lights as well as the depth finder, I have an ST2000 auto pilot and an iceless thermo electric cooler which I use. I will also be running my laptop and recharging my cell phone occasionally. I have not installed a big enough inverter to run the microwave, so I cook on the stove.
My aim is to go to an 80 watt panel. On a 25.5 the only place I can come up with as a mounting point due to size is off the stern of the boat. I have made a drawing and submitted it to my metal fabricator. He is sourcing the stainless tubing and will make the appropriate bends. Once fitted to the boat it will rake off the stern, above the bimini frame. The wire will feed through the same waterproof fitting currently in place and then to the batteries. I have two controllers in place to prevent any overcharging.
When this finally gets done i will post pictures for all to see.
My aim is to go to an 80 watt panel. On a 25.5 the only place I can come up with as a mounting point due to size is off the stern of the boat. I have made a drawing and submitted it to my metal fabricator. He is sourcing the stainless tubing and will make the appropriate bends. Once fitted to the boat it will rake off the stern, above the bimini frame. The wire will feed through the same waterproof fitting currently in place and then to the batteries. I have two controllers in place to prevent any overcharging.
When this finally gets done i will post pictures for all to see.
I got my panels from the Alt-e store. (www.altestore.com)
I found them to be very good to talk to, before ad after purchasing my panels. Their prices are good and they foudn a way to ship them that cut the shipping cost significantly.
You could give them a call and discuss your needs with them. (877-211-8192)
BTW I have no affiliation with themother than being a satisfied customer.
Matt
I found them to be very good to talk to, before ad after purchasing my panels. Their prices are good and they foudn a way to ship them that cut the shipping cost significantly.
You could give them a call and discuss your needs with them. (877-211-8192)
BTW I have no affiliation with themother than being a satisfied customer.
Matt
You ought to do a power audit. Figure out how many amps hours a typical day out uses. It's simply multiplying the amps of each thing you run times the amount of time. If you don't know the amps, but the watts, you can get amps by this formula: amps = watts/volts. A 20 watt bulb ran for one hour will use 1.6 amp/hours. Then you can size our solar panel to replenish what you use, or at least keep you from deeply draining the batteries.
You didn't mention if you had shore power to charge the batteries at the dock. I use a 5 watt Harbor Freight panel running through a West Marine solar panel voltage regulator. Haven't had the battery on a charger for a couple of years and it's always full and ready to go.
You didn't mention if you had shore power to charge the batteries at the dock. I use a 5 watt Harbor Freight panel running through a West Marine solar panel voltage regulator. Haven't had the battery on a charger for a couple of years and it's always full and ready to go.
My metal fabricator got busy with other things so I ended up going on line to Defender and ordered all the parts I needed to create the framework to mount a solar panel on to. The current solar panel in the picture is my old one. 15watt. Its fine to top off the batteries during the midweek while I am not on the boat. My original intention was to upgrade to a 80 watt. Now I am rethinking it and have found a 100w panel with a controller, 40 ft of wire and connectors for $170. This will be much larger, therefor the size of the new frame.
The frame is made of 1" stainless tubing. It is adjustable so I can change out to the new solar panel easily when I purchase it. The only waste is two 12 inch pieces of tubing which I could use as cross peices should I need to make it more rigid.
If anyone is interested, here is the supply list:
2 pcs 6ft x 1" stainless tubing (thick wall)
3 pcs 4ft x 1' stainless tubing (thick wall)
4 - 90 degree rail elbows
4 - Top caps with eyes
4 - Hinged Top Slide Mount with Eye
2 - Top Slide Mount with Eye
4 - Hayn Pulpit / Anchor Sleeve Fitting
2 self manufactured spacers 2.5" in length x 1" wide x 1/4" thick
Stainless nuts, bolts and washers.
I cut one of the 4ft pieces into two and shortened the two 6ft down to 5ft to match them to the uprights of the stern rail. I attached the couplings and the 2 uprights first. Then slid the slide mounts over. To the two side mounts I attached the 2ft pieces and capped it with the remaining 5ft piece. The solar panel is attached using the Pulpit sleeve fittings
See pictures:
The frame is made of 1" stainless tubing. It is adjustable so I can change out to the new solar panel easily when I purchase it. The only waste is two 12 inch pieces of tubing which I could use as cross peices should I need to make it more rigid.
If anyone is interested, here is the supply list:
2 pcs 6ft x 1" stainless tubing (thick wall)
3 pcs 4ft x 1' stainless tubing (thick wall)
4 - 90 degree rail elbows
4 - Top caps with eyes
4 - Hinged Top Slide Mount with Eye
2 - Top Slide Mount with Eye
4 - Hayn Pulpit / Anchor Sleeve Fitting
2 self manufactured spacers 2.5" in length x 1" wide x 1/4" thick
Stainless nuts, bolts and washers.
I cut one of the 4ft pieces into two and shortened the two 6ft down to 5ft to match them to the uprights of the stern rail. I attached the couplings and the 2 uprights first. Then slid the slide mounts over. To the two side mounts I attached the 2ft pieces and capped it with the remaining 5ft piece. The solar panel is attached using the Pulpit sleeve fittings
See pictures:
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As an update to my solar project I have the following to report. I purchased and installed a 100w panel, using my previously installed controllers. I ended up having to purchase two more 48" stainless tubes from Defender. Here is the final result in picture form. My Batteries are recharged in no time flat, so I can use all my electronics and see very little battery usage. Sorry if the pictures are sideways. Haven't quite got the hang of getting them the right way up!
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