Sounds like a great application. Do you have your power boat Bill? (I may be mistaken here - third time this morning!) GO Who doesn't like to see NICE nuggets! cool. In a message dated 9/3/2008 11:24:12 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, billamicasr@gmail.com writes: Two opinions - Two schools of thought: Clean, quiet, convenient, etc. Gasoline, noisy. instant, etc. They are both good! But, which fits your needs? It's been some time ago, so things have undoubtedly improved; I looked into solar to power among other things, a 1000W microwave. I had room for 1-12v 100 plus amp group 27 battery and could not make it work. I would have needed a bank of 4 batteries. More if I did it right and went with 6v. This was not a marine application (however, makes little difference). We have photos of Dulce on the Photo Site, with it's array hanging over the stern at http://www.msogphotosite.com/M17Dulc.html . Fred powers 2 - 120Amp batteries. (Looks like allot of leverage hanging off the stern). Or, with a 100 plus amp battery you could probably cruise for at least three to four weeks powering just LED lights, and recharge when you get back to dockside. If you saw my test of the LED anchor light, that is a 6LED bulb, powered by 8 AA batteries. Turned it on and a week later could not say if the light intensity went down http://www.msogphotosite.com/DenHann.html As I mentioned, I no longer put the amp draw of LED into the equation. I have two LED cabin lights with 12-LED each. I left both on accidentally for three days, when I returned, the battery was still on full charge. LED rules! About solar: This goes back about 20 years ago. I worked for a guy in San Mateo, Ca who bought an Island off the coast of Panama. I was given the task of researching and ordering the parts needed to create power on the island. I used a California Company in Ukiah, called REAL GOODS SOLAR http://www.realgoodssolar.com/?gcid=S30908x001&keyword=solar If you visit their site, you can use their calculator to find what you need and it's free. Once you get to the point of decision making, they will personally help create the perfect package, for your situation. They were only one of a couple companies that helped back then. I looked up the site and it appears they are not only still around, they have grown. By the way; no, I did not buy a Monty. And, no I'm not sailing. As I mentioned some time ago, I'll never sail again... neck problems. The experience from what I speak is from past projects and current dry camp requirements while I work my mineral claims, in Oregon and Northern California. I have two camps set up, I use generator in both. I require the lights, pumps, etc to work when I show up and "for me" solar is just too much "If I could - would ya". In my old age, I need instant gratification and a little 120v too. (E-mail me off list if you are a prospector and want to see some really nice gold nuggets) If being green and reducing your energy footprint is important, the Honda generator is just as much a fuel miser as any other Honda product. I use about 1 gallon every three-four weeks to keep the batteries at top charge. I carry the generator, strapped down in the back of my pickup, to carry to location. One last bit of info. If you feel 120v would be nice (without a generator), don't forget to add the cost of a marine quality inverter to your shopping list (ouch!) Power is not a one size fits all. You have to create what you feel is needed for your application. After you settle on what is required by you (power, space limitations, learning curve, money, etc... the method will become obvious. Bill On 9/3/08, GILASAILR@aol.com <GILASAILR@aol.com> wrote:
Solar power is capable of providing the kind of power you are searching for. I currently use a 10w rigid (usually higher output than flexible) panel an regulator and a sealed aircraft battery (small). If you manage your usage and carry quality batteries (well maintained) and quality panels (I have only used rigid) you can generate plenty of electricity IF you have the sun available. Collecting sun is not a problem here in AZ.
Sean and I have friends currently staying in the Delta area that have a monsterous capacity for solar generation - I will look into what the exact details are, but they live on a Gulf 32 and are able to generate enough power to run virtually everything on board including the microwave via solar - YES they have a large array mounted on a framework over the stern but a portable panel or two is plenty for a M-15, 17, 23 if properly setup.
Regulators usually include blocking diodes, a bit of attention to your batteries and you have plenty of CLEAN QUIET power.
GO M-17 # 316A
PS In my other life, I ran all but my heavy electric (compressor,welder,A/C) for my business from 1 50w panel and had to keep adding batteries until I did not boil them dry! (no reg. at the time) - worked great when we got the right number of group 27 batteries banked!!
In a message dated 9/3/2008 8:51:19 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, seagray@embarqmail.com writes:
Bert, Do you have to use some kind of regulator to keep from over charging the battery? What size battery do you have? Thanks, Joe Seafrog, M-17 ----- Original Message ----- From: <Flickasf@aol.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 10:56 PM Subject: M_Boats: solar panel
I would suggest a solar panel and LED lighting for the interior and running lights. I use a Uni Solar 11 flexable panel. It charges a battery enough during the day to power LED lights easily.
Bert Zephyr, M 15
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