Our solar panel experience

B

BRAZO

New member
Before we left for the PNW, I installed a 100W solar panel kit that I purchased on Amazon for $185. On board we have a Norcold refrigerator/ freezer and we have a wallas stove, a laptop (watch movies at night), tablets, ipods, and smart phones. On top of that the cabin lights and the anchor light take a bit of power.

With the solar we have not had shore power the entire trip (saving $30 so far on this trip). The 75 amp hour battery is normally fully charged by early afternoon or before. The biggest drain has been when we are on anchor and have the anchor light on all night along with the Norcold running. The lowest the house battery got was 63% and was charged to 100% early afternoon.

Absolutely love having the solar power - no need to find shore power every few days like before. Another reason we added the solar was to keep the batteries charged while in storage in Blaine, WA. We will just put the solar on the outside of the boat cover.

Just a note for anyone thinking of adding solar.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php
 
Robert,

Looks like a cool setup. Thanks for passing the info on. The solar panel idea is part of why I set up my inflatable to be aft of the cabin top, to make room for that. The fridge sounds like a plus.

Can you give some more details on which solar kit, and the fridge specifics? When you say the batteries were up by early afternoon, is that without running the engines, or including running them?

Thanks,

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.highlight.jpg
 
We have had a 20W panel for about 2 years. It is used to keep our two group 24 house batteries charged. It worked well until recently when I noticed the batteries were not staying fully charged. On investigation it turns out that, while the panel was routinely putting out 17-20 volts, the Sunforce 7A controller was only passing on about 7-9 volts instead of the 13-14 it was supposed to. Just ordered a new controller. When it was working the solar panel meant we could be out for extended trips, (weeks) with no shore power. I keep it on the bow of the boat where the sun can get to it while it is beside the house so that the batteries start with a full charge. Solar has been good for our uses.
 
Sounds like it's doing a great job for you. We put a 150w panel and 30 amp controller on the Airstream, and are having similar results. I am thinking of getting one of the Zamp portable systems to use with the boat and truck camper, although your buy on Amazon sounds like it might be a much better way to go from a value standpoint.

Do you have any details on your purchase? Who made/sold it?
 
Barry,

I just went through your album looking for some pix on your solar panel. Curious, is it a permanent mount or is it a portable. I have been looking at something in the 20 to 50 watt size, that would be portable. (I like the roll up version but the output is not as high.) I am thinking of laying it on the cabin top, middle, and with the ability to take down when not in use.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
This is a link to something more like what I was thinking. Would like to be able to stretch it between the roof top hand rails.

http://www.siliconsolar.com/flexible-so ... v-42w.html

flexiblesolarpanelRV.jpg

15V 42W Flexible Solar Panel (RV)
PRODUCT DETAILS & SPECIFICATIONS

Voltage 15.4V
Wattage 42W
Dimensions 26.14" x 86.05"
Uses RV, Camping, Emergencies
Wire + Connectors N/A
Charge Controller N/A


Hope that worked.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
We are running a 180 Watt Panel on our RV and find that it carries most of our loads when boon docking. That size panel probably would be a bit over kill for a C Dory roof however.
 
hardee":1pbcbw5q said:
Robert,

Can you give some more details on which solar kit, and the fridge specifics? When you say the batteries were up by early afternoon, is that without running the engines, or including running them?
Click to expand...

We have the Norcold model De0040s - installed under the helm sear. The solar kit is the Renogy Eco Star kit which includes the 100w panel, charge controller and MC4 connectors.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8L6EFA/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The batteries are recharged without the engine running by at the most early afternoon. Before we would either need to travel or find shore power after a few days.

We are in Blaine now and I won't even bother plugging in the shore power.

I installed a 'fancier' 200w solar system with a mppt controller on our Winnebago View and that one works great, but so does this cheaper one. We also have a Victron 600 battery monitor which makes life easy. We have 2 starting batteries along with the house battery. All batteries are connected via VSR that kick on at 13.7v - yesterday I noticed the relays had kicked on while sitting on anchor - keeping all batteries topped off. The charge controller will go into float once the batteries are fully charged.

Love it.
 
Here here is the Grape Solar 100 watt panel from Costco Online. At $159 including shipping, this is a tremendous deal. You could have a pair of these and a good MPPT 30A charge controller for under $600...probably next up on my list for Daydream. The Renogy kit is also a great value but the 10A controller won't handle a pair of 100 watt panels, it would be great if they had a kit with two panels and a 30AMPPT charge controller.
 
Just pushed the "One Click" button on Amazon for the Eco Solar 200 watt kit with the 30 amp controller for $359 with free shipping! It is my birthday present!
 
Pat Anderson":1niao41c said:
Look for us at Lake Powell in 2014, Jody! We can hardly wait, we'll be able to stay as long as we want to!

jkidd":1niao41c said:
Happy birthday!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I have two 30 watt panels that I only need to use if I stay multiple days in the same location without running the motor. Oh what I would give to stay at Powell for a month and not have to worry about clients. Oh we'll someday it will happen. Looking forward to seeing you at Powell again. I was thinking about Friday Harbor next year.
 
Back
Top