wind or solar

gettinthere · Mar 24, 2014

I suspect winds are often light in the summer.
Days are definitely long in the summer.

Solar!

Bill Roosa · Mar 24, 2014

You would have to tell us your batter bank size (AH)
Also a little more on how you use the boat.
The tradeoff being deck space (solar) over wind speeds normally encountered during the use of the boat (wind)
I would tend to agree with gettinthere but deck space may be the determining factor.
Most cruisers use both for a lot of obvious reasons

Tom J · Mar 24, 2014

I'd think a small solar panel would suit your needs. Much less maintenance (actually, little to none), and the wind turbine really needs someone to tend to it, more suited to live aboards.

IStream · Mar 25, 2014

Get a little digital charge controller to go with it. I had good luck with this little unit and it's <$35:

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-6003...r=8-3&keywords=sunforce+10A+charge+controller

I combined it with this 20W monocrystalline panel:
http://www.amazon.com/HQRP-Mono-cry...id=1395749908&sr=8-3&keywords=20W+solar+panel

and it worked great, even if it's all cheap Chinese stuff.

If you have the budget, ~$65, this little charge controller would be a good upgrade:

https://genasun.com/all-products/so.../for-lead/gv-4-pb-4a-solar-charge-controller/

Maine Sail · Mar 25, 2014

Hickdog said:
Thinking of adding a charging system to my 26.5 Hunter. my requirements are basic ,Radio, depth and speed. at this time we do not overnight on the boat. We sail her in Maine (Lubec). I need a steer on which would suit my needs best wind or solar charging. I use my engine very little about 4 hours a season, but want to keep by batteries topped up for when I need them, bilge pumps ect.. Any info is a help at this point. thanks Hickdog

In Lubec I can't imagine summer winds are any better then they are on Casco Bay. Solar wins in Maine and is also far more reliable.....

Brian D · Mar 25, 2014

I use a 50w solar panel on my boat. I have measured mid-day with a current meter 2.29 amps. So given that 5 hours/day seems to be the norm, I am looking at 11.45 amps in good sun conditions. On my last outing, I ran radio, autopilot, and two GPS systems and the panel was giving a float charge to the battery. So basically I was just using the panel to run my electronics.

I say solar also.

cjm1 · Mar 25, 2014

I have been using solar for 20 years (2 panels 20 w and 40 w). They have never let me down and they do get shaded at times. We have no high current drain items and use a digital volt meter to keep an eye on the batteries. Do use deep cycle batteries rather than car starting batteries. Wind gen is noisy and I am sure they come with maintenance issues.