Flex v Fixed frame Solar panel

[thataway]

What loads are you going to be experiencing? The general experience is that 100 watts is not enough to keep up with a chest type freezer/refrig. (See Pat Anderson--2 panels), in Lake Powell area--lots of sun, but hot, PNW not as much sun, but cooler.

I have had good results in an alternate to the Victron 702 volt, amp SOC meter: (Although I used the Victron components on the boat), when I put together a "cheaper" version LIFePO4 system we use in the SUV with a freezer. I. used the
this Amazon volt/amp meter--it was $23, now $44 (although there seems to be another copy in the $36 range).

[daninPA]

We used electrical power (battery only) at a very low draw (stereo, VHF, Garmin 942, iPad charger). I only ran the A/C with the generator.

We still haven't used the frig -- we have a very good cooler that keeps ice overnight through very hot days (the key is to open it rarely! and pack it full!)

My primary interest in the solar panel is maintenance while in the slip and longer times at anchor (to avoid running the engine just to feel good about the state of charge).

My planned setup will allow the addition of another identical panel if we start using the boat differently. But so far we have had no overnights, and when we finally do I think First Mate (and putative CO) will insist on land accommodations -- for the time being.

[daninPA]

[ssobol]

[daninPA]

[smckean (Tosca)]

Someone in this thread mentioned that they don't bother charging their batteries with solar panels or a generator, but instead just use the engine alternator because it's fast.

During two consecutive months of cruising last summer I played with this concept. I concluded that recharging via a modern, well designed, high output (20+ amps) battery charger (power supplied via shore power) was preferred.

I think the reason is that a battery charger, using "smart" programming with stages, really tops off the battery well. The alternator only charges in bulk, and doesn't use higher voltages (e.g., 14+ volts) to top off. My batteries held their voltage much longer when charged via the battery charger rather than with the alternator (even if I ran the engine 8 hours that day). True, the alternator was fast, but I concluded it only charged to maybe 80% (or even less) of capacity. Sure the alternator gets the voltage up to 12.6 or even 12.7, but I found that the batteries dropped in voltage much quicker during my at anchor evening use if the batteries were charged up with the alternator rather than when I had used the battery charger on shore power the night before. I suspect that this would also be true if I powered the battery charger with the generator (but it is unlikely that I would ever run the generator long enough).

I don't understand enough about battery chemistry to explain all this, but the results were very noticeable.

[DayBreak]

[daninPA]

[daninPA]

I’m encouraged to hear the single 100w panel provided sufficient charge to sustain the refrigerator overnight. Except for anchor light, a small fan, and PED charging I wouldn’t expect much else to require power. I’m planning on testing the load once I put the batteries back on board.

[colbysmith]