SOLAR PANEL ADVICE

[Berber Boy]

Since my trailer troubles in Paynesville I have left WINDSONG in storage there. I need to install a solar panel and controller etc to keep a trickle charge coming in to my two batteries on board.

Currently I am in Rwanda but need to order so the stuff is available to me after I return from overseas at end of November and leave for Paynesville.

Can I have some suggestions about what size to order and what other elements I need to buy to have a good system. I have looked on the Whitworths site but not sure about suitable size and ease of installation. I only need it to keep the batteries alive while parked. I generally do not stay on the boat for more than a couple of nights. I was thinking of installing it on my rear mast support.

Thanks in advance

BB

[kmclemore]

I have a Kyocera 40W unit on top of my sliding hatch and it fits nicely. Drawbacks are that you can't walk on some of the hatch anymore and that the panel will get shaded by the sail when underway. Pluses are that you don't have to make any special brackets or fixtures, and it shades the hatch and thus keeps the boat somewhat cooler. Output is enough to keep the batteries up, and will also compensate for some accessory usage whilst underway. However, it is not enough to cover the power drawn by my on-board fridge... I do have to run the motor once in a while (we usually motor about a bit anyway), or I'll run the Honda EU1000 generator to top things up. We've gone for a fortnight at a time this way with no worries.



Here are two threads that might be of help to you:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =8&t=15478

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =8&t=13619

Might have a search for 'solar panel' on this forum and you'll find a great many other references and threads on the subject.

[Uncle Jim]

20 to 30 watt should be more than enough, you'll also need a charge controller to keep from over charging the batteries

[cruiser]

Hi Berber Boy,
There has been a bit of discussion on that recently on the TSP forum
http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... =12&t=7494
Alway a lot of differences in opinion regarding regulated/unregulated motors and panels. The above thread may give some food for thought.

Lots of past discussion on TSP and other forums regarding that one. A boat with minimal drain eg. no fridge or other high draw appliances, probably only needs a trickle charge to stop the batteries sulphating.

Might be worth giving some thought to a SS pole on the pushpit and the panel mounted, up out of the way, on a swivelling aluminium frame so it can be pointed in the direction of maximum sun when the boat is parked or moored.

[bartmac]

I purchased a "semi flexible" 60 w solar panel out of China.Consists of solar cells laminated to aluminium sheet and covered with a thick clear plastic layer.We then glued onto the sliding hatch...still slides under our dodger,about the only hassle was the wire...had to cover with pigtail and make it long enough to allow full slide of the hatch.The wiring comes out of a existing hole (centrally located) and is connected to our main switch panel.......wire pushed thru using the yellow tongue from chipboard flooring....Just checked Ebay and there's plenty available

[Boblee]

Don't buy the panels from Whitworths unless the price has come down drastically, it will be at least half price on ebay with a regulator thrown in.
If you are not and aren't thinking of running a fridge you probably don't need a solar panel except a small trickle charge but get a regulator as you say, a bloke we were camping with charged his "car battery" once a month for basic lights even getting a low loss battery would save the hassles.
Not sure about installing anywhere that you can walk as one day you may walk there but a small panel mounted on the arch should work especially if it's adjustable.
Actually may be taking the boat down to Payneville to one of the yards for sale, any recomendations, may even have poke around while there but really was not impressed with the lakes last time but maybe just a bad time.

[Mac26Mpaul]

I just had a stainless solar panel mount welded to the mast carrier before we went away last week. It looks like it was meant to be there and holds the 120 watt panel easily. I havn't got pictures but will take some if you want? I dont have any welding skills so had it done around the corner at the marina. They charged $170 and I just needed to bolt the panel on with 1/4 inch stainless bolts I got from Whitworths. I used bog standard exenstion lead power cord and put it in where the motor wires go into the hull. Didnt have to make new holes that way.

I have a duel battery controller with display panel which I put in the battery compartment. My 120 watt panel I got from ebay for $400 I think it was. I cant remember the supplier on there, but if you work through this TSP thread, you will get all the info on exactly what I got and where I got it from. You will also learn a lot of other stuff!
http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... f=2&t=5140

The ebay solar panel seller accepts offers on his auctions. I knocked him down a fair bit from memory. With this setup in direct sun, I seem to average about 3.5 amps. If there is any shade from the mast roller or anything else, or its an overcast day, that drops to 1 to 1.5amps.
My fridge uses about 1.5amps in economy mode, so I can run it all day and still have my battery charging most of the time!
Very happy with the panel. I bought it ages ago, but dont know why I didnt set it up earlier. It works great.
The good thing is, even with the mast down over the top of the panel, it still gets plently enough juice to keep my three batteries fully charged.

[Mac26Mpaul]

This is the mob I got mine from
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Solar-Energy- ... 4340.l2563
Looks like the 120 watt ones are 350 bucks posted. I thought I payed 400 posted but cant really remember. anyway, it will be somewhere in that thread
Very happy with the panel..

[Boblee]

Think the mob we got our 120w Ebay fold out one was from the Gold Coast, not sure of price now but $350 sounds right, much better than $650 for one 65w from Whitworths, crikey saw a lot of almost identical ones when camping near others round the country, they must sell some.
We can mount ours on the arch and do when on water but on land use it as a foldout (more power) and plug in to the arch with a lead so still goes through the boat regulator instead of using the panel one, but at home for trickling batteries in other applications use the panel regulator, very versatile bit of gear.
Because we store fish in the freezer also carry a 50w dc alternator for long camps without sun.