|
Post by kris on Aug 24, 2020 6:59:09 GMT
As John says a good mppt controller is important.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 7:23:56 GMT
I have a big 250w on the roof, I am thinking of replacing with smaller ones, I have very little space on the roof for walking down, not a massive issues as I don't single hand really any more, but the odd occasion I have to its really dodgy.
With your mooring Stabby you can leave one on the mooring, pointing towards Coventry and get a lot more sun in the winter than you would flat on your roof.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 7:25:26 GMT
As John says a good mppt controller is important. Not only that, a good move is to get higher voltage panels as it minimises the effect of volt drop and they still produce output in low light conditions. Mine are 48v and will produce output even when the voltage has dropped by over 50%, an 18v panel only has to drop by 20% and it will not produce any useful output. Mine are also at the front of the boat alongside the plank and poles allowing use of the rear 2/3 of the roof for walking and rope use. They are visible from space maps.app.goo.gl/CLKhJWDxHDPULZjNA
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 7:32:40 GMT
Whatever you decide to do, make sure they are not mounted too close to the centreline attachment. My centreline is forever catching under the panel that is mounted about two inches from the attachment and is a real pain.
|
|
|
Post by kris on Aug 24, 2020 7:49:55 GMT
Whatever you decide to do, make sure they are not mounted too close to the centreline attachment. My centreline is forever catching under the panel that is mounted about two inches from the attachment and is a real pain. Not got any fair leads?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 7:55:59 GMT
Whatever you decide to do, make sure they are not mounted too close to the centreline attachment. My centreline is forever catching under the panel that is mounted about two inches from the attachment and is a real pain. Not got any fair leads? If they are the things that were attached to the handrails by two tiny screws when I bought the boat - not anymore......
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2020 8:39:03 GMT
When I had mine fitted by onboard energy at springwood haven Kevin told me that you’d have too much in the summer but not enough in the winter. I opted for two 360w panels and a Victron smart solar mppt controller. Kev did a very neat installation, batteries are charged by lunchtime even on cloudy days.
|
|
|
Post by peterboat on Aug 24, 2020 14:51:34 GMT
As a big time user of solar I would put on the biggest panels I could fit mounted flat and with a quality controller they will make life easier I have 3.7kw with another 900 watts to fit
|
|
|
Post by quaysider on Aug 25, 2020 6:59:35 GMT
Hold Fire Stabby - unless you are desperate to do it asap as I currently have 3 panels I intend to replace (but can't really until November as we're on the move until then)... from memory I thought they were 195 watt each but having gone through my blog, found they are 165 adding up to 495 watts rather than the 585 I'd been assuming. As damaged the heads on the screws used to attached the brackets, my plan is to replace them with same size (higher output) models to safe a lot of hassle.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 18:43:48 GMT
A fridge uses about 35 Ah a day. Let’s say the sun is shining adequately for 6 hrs at this time of year (we are 2 months beyond longest day and 1 month before equinox) so you need about 6A, which at 12v is 72W. But you will never get 72w out of a 72w panel! 00W would cover it on a good day with lots of sunshine, but I suggest at least 200W to cater for an average day. There is no right answer, the more solar you have the more likely it will cover your needs in bad weather / shorter days / shady areas etc. It often boils down to the space available rather than the ideal number of panels. Just get as much as you can afford and have room for on the roof, remembering you will still need to walk on the roof to get to lock ladders etc. If you don’t get much, consider over-rating the controller so you can add more later if necessary. I passed a boat today with four panels which apparently provide 600w ... roof line panels and exceptionally neat wiring. They were so unobtrusive and neat, I didn't see them until we were alongside ... and even where the panels were sited they were small enough to permit someone to walk along the roof if necessary. Just to run the fridge reliably in summer months, would two such panels cover it ? Rog
|
|
|
Post by metanoia on Sept 4, 2020 18:58:54 GMT
Hold Fire Stabby - unless you are desperate to do it asap as I currently have 3 panels I intend to replace (but can't really until November as we're on the move until then)... from memory I thought they were 195 watt each but having gone through my blog, found they are 165 adding up to 495 watts rather than the 585 I'd been assuming. As damaged the heads on the screws used to attached the brackets, my plan is to replace them with same size (higher output) models to safe a lot of hassle. If Mrs Tabby hasn't already made a claim, Mark, I would be interested in taking them off your hands (swap for a decent bottle of gin and home made pie/cake/bread, of course). Could possibly meet you to give you a hand back down Hurleston October/November .... eta - sorry, that sounds a bit like the bidding war for poor @tonyc's new toilet ........
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 19:33:32 GMT
Hold Fire Stabby - unless you are desperate to do it asap as I currently have 3 panels I intend to replace (but can't really until November as we're on the move until then)... from memory I thought they were 195 watt each but having gone through my blog, found they are 165 adding up to 495 watts rather than the 585 I'd been assuming. As damaged the heads on the screws used to attached the brackets, my plan is to replace them with same size (higher output) models to safe a lot of hassle. If Mrs Tabby hasn't already made a claim, Mark, I would be interested in taking them off your hands (swap for a decent bottle of gin and home made pie/cake/bread, of course). Could possibly meet you to give you a hand back down Hurleston October/November .... eta - sorry, that sounds a bit like the bidding war for poor @tonyc 's new toilet ........ Met, Peterboat has laid claim to the much-sought-after toilet (as the second person to ask in that thread), although the transaction is not yet completed. I've now jettisoned almost all of the extraneous items aboard, so it looks likely I will be bereft of any items that I can use to barter for a home made pie. I'm learning to play guitar. Perhaps I could perform a rendition of Jumping Jack Flash in return for a pie?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 19:39:20 GMT
Well yesterday I got a 365w 40v solar panel for £87. New one made by Canadian Solar. eBay auction and fortunately the bloke is just down the road from Dulcinea and is going to bring it round as he is driving past delivering some other panels on Monday. I'm hoping I will be able to move my body by then as my back is still completely screwed...
That panel IS big (1750 X 1000mm) but at the price it was irresistible and being local helps.
And Dulcinea has a large wheelhouse top so loads of room for it. I do use the flared sides of the front of the top of the wheelhouse as a step in some locks but I do not habitually do cabin top walking on this boat as the after section of the wheelhouse top is quite a lot narrower than the boat's beam and it has wide side decks.
I'm going to get a SRNE 30 MPPT controller with the remote panel. Looks like a nice toy. Rather than the Victron. I prefer a dedicated panel to an app. And probably a big AGM battery as not quite ready for Lithiums.
|
|
|
Post by metanoia on Sept 4, 2020 19:43:58 GMT
If Mrs Tabby hasn't already made a claim, Mark, I would be interested in taking them off your hands (swap for a decent bottle of gin and home made pie/cake/bread, of course). Could possibly meet you to give you a hand back down Hurleston October/November .... eta - sorry, that sounds a bit like the bidding war for poor @tonyc 's new toilet ........ Met, Peterboat has laid claim to the much-sought-after toilet (as the second person to ask in that thread), although the transaction is not yet completed. I've now jettisoned almost all of the extraneous items aboard, so it looks likely I will be bereft of any items that I can use to barter for a home made pie. I'm learning to play guitar. Perhaps I could perform a rendition of Jumping Jack Flash in return for a pie? Relax, @tonyc - please don't worry about it - this is all getting too anal!! I ask for nor expect anything from anyone x You will be welcome to pie and/or bread (depends what's proving) if we meet. However, hold the geetar - bit of a cliché out here! CDs will suffice. Meanwhile, just take care, keep safe and enjoy your journey, as much as you can xx
|
|
|
Post by patty on Sept 5, 2020 6:41:57 GMT
Well yesterday I got a 365w 40v solar panel for £87. New one made by Canadian Solar. eBay auction and fortunately the bloke is just down the road from Dulcinea and is going to bring it round as he is driving past delivering some other panels on Monday. I'm hoping I will be able to move my body by then as my back is still completely screwed... Hope your back soon improves... 'They' say keep going as sorta normal but suspect 'they' don't mean lugging heavy stuff... Take care..
|
|