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Sneaks
Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 2020 City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:01 am Post subject: Solar power |
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Pat, your wish is my command.
Here is a good link for solar power in marine environs
Don |
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Sneaks
Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 2020 City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:09 am Post subject: |
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We have a single 100 watt solar panel system factory installed on our C-Dory tow vehicle. Included was the Heliotrope HPV-22 charge controller and I'm amazed both at how well it keeps everything topped off both on the road or in storage. I can give the HPV-22 a rating.
Don |
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 8650 City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:40 am Post subject: |
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No doubt solar panels are an envioronmentally friendly endeavor.
Their chief disadvantages are cost, complexity, and bulk (IMHO).
A square meter of sunlight (when you have it) during the directly overhead summer months shines about 1000 watts on that surface.
Solar panels are only about 10-15% efficient in real world conditions, however, so you may get a lot less than you expect.
Added to that problem is that of storage. Since the solar output is not sufficient to run more than electronics on a continuous basis, the best strategedy would be to store lots of energy when the sun's out and pull it back when needed for house (cabin) use. This is easy enough on a power grid (at home), but this means batteries on board in a boat. Why not just charge the batteries with shore power, the motor, or generator occasionally?
Plus you've got to figure out where to install these big panels on your boat where they'll get lots of light, then wire them and their necessary accessory control components on the boat.
It can be done, however, but makes more sense on a houseboat or at home. Long-term cruisers can take advantage of the low-level continuous supply from solar panels better then weekend cruisers.
And solar power makes more sense in southern climes than the likes of the PNW.
Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I'm sure solar power on a boat is a very expensive technical solution to electrical power demands that one must fully understand to make work.
(Off the top of my head, as usual!)
Joe. _________________ Sea Wolf, C-Brat #31
Lake Shasta, California
"Most of my money I spent on boats and women. The rest I squandered'. " -Annonymous
Last edited by Sea Wolf on Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:46 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Discovery
Joined: 08 Dec 2003 Posts: 1239 City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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We have 60 watts of solar, 4 X 15 watts. The panels charge the port battery bank, 2 X D34 Exide Orbital gel type batteries. The port bank is only for port motor starting and the Norcold Ref. The Norcold ran 24/7 for over 60 days on our summer cruise. The battery charge never got below 75%, we have a Link 20 system to monitor the battery function.
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Brent and Dixie,
1984 22' Classic sold 2003
2003 24' TomCat sold 2005
2006 TC255 Discovery Sold 2020
2006 CD 22' Angler Sold 2014
https://share.delorme.com/FBrentBetenson
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms." ~ Thomas Jefferson |
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 8650 City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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Brent-
That's a very professional looking and sounding installation, thanks!
Joe. |
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