Ahh, that's a complicated question. The first answer is "that depends..." On boats as small as ours, the available space for a permanently or even semi-permanently mounted panel is quite small, unless you hang it off the rear (or front?) on a pulpit extension or something like that. And then how much sun where you sail, how to minimize shading, getting a panel least affected by shading (amorphous, NOT crystalline), how much you use your gizmos and what they are. One strategy for getting the most without always getting in the way is a roll-up flexible amorphous panel that you deploy when it pays to deploy, and is small to stash away when not. If planning to actually cruise extended trips and rely on house battery and relatively small PV panel, by all means buy gizmos that use least possible power, obviously. That's the short answer - swamped with other stuff right now, will add more on the math of PV panel power output when I have more time. cheers, John S. On 02/23/2016 12:43 PM, Thomas Buzzi wrote:
Question #4, About what size solar array will serve on a 17 using the usual number of gizmos. I am concerned about the required collector panel as deck space is limited. thanks for your advice, John. Tom B
On Tue, Feb 23, 2016 at 12:29 AM, John Schinnerer <john@eco-living.net> wrote:
These will last a year or two in salt water environments. Longer in fresh. Cheap, but also cheap.
Best unit for a pocket cruiser (or any application actually) with ~6A or smaller 12 volt nominal PV panel is the FlexCharge PV7D. Totally sealed, marine environment ready, and the most efficient charging circuit/algorithm that is also the best for your battery life & health.
http://www.flexcharge.com/PV7D.html
I get them from SolarSeller (John Drake III, old school guy, small specialty business, best prices for what he sells, ships USPS):
http://solarseller.com/seelye_ses_flexcharge_charge_controllers_controller.h...
Full disclosure - I get no kickbacks from either FlexCharge or John Drake III for this promo. Just promoting quality stuff I have personal experience with.
cheers, John S.
On 02/22/2016 02:44 PM, Jazzy wrote:
Hiya, yes that's what it is. Even came with a jug of alchohol, wanted to drink it wiring the mast but I resisted. The solar panel doesn't say anything on it, but here's the controller... alas boat time is over :( I keep seeing more..and more...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7z8yzacttsn0dui/20160222_143728.jpg?dl=0
Jazz On Feb 22, 2016 12:59 PM, "Thomas Buzzi" <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Nice job. Is that an alcohol stove I see?
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 2:03 PM, Jazzy <jazzydaze@gmail.com> wrote:
Ahhh...wires tucked and everything back. Visible are the system
switches,
the Master switch, and a dual USB outlet.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b193rdb4v2x2lcd/20160222_115758.jpg?dl=0
Mast receiver wet inside boat..grrrr. I guess sealing that just trumped making the compass light work.
Jazz On Feb 22, 2016 9:44 AM, "Jazzy" <jazzydaze@gmail.com> wrote:
Truck stop! Excellent!
On Feb 22, 2016 9:43 AM, "Jazzy" <jazzydaze@gmail.com> wrote:
Just to tie up the ammeter draw question I had as I closed it up last > might. It's showing 13.05 volts today, so I guess the solar charger > is
working on this crap cloudy day.
> > Jazz > On Feb 22, 2016 9:16 AM, "Conbert Benneck" <chbenneck@gmail.com> > wrote:
> On 2/22/2016 10:18 AM, David Rifkind wrote: >> >> Hi David, >> >> Let me pass on a bit of accumulated wisdom that the whole gang can >> > use.
>> For some very strange reason, there are groups of people with similar >> requirements, but neither side knows of the others existence. >> >> Let me suggest that the next time you pass a BIG Truck STOP, drive >> > in;
park; and go exploring.
>> >> Aside from toilets / showers / sleeping rooms / restaurants / game >> > rooms
/ TV lounges / you will eventually find their ACCESSORY Store, and >> > Grocery
store. >> >> This is where you hit pay dirt. >> >> Truckers have the same sorts of problems that sailors do. >> >> They need small packages of detergents / canned goods / food packages >> for use in their sleeper cabs. >> >> Then you will find all sorts of 12 Volt appliances you have never >> > seen
at WEST Marine.
>> >> Such as the toaster you just referenced; coffee pots; hair curlers; >> it's a sailor's bonanza. >> >> Of course the things aren't made of stainless steel, but if it rusts >> > out
in 5 years in a marine environment, so what, you now know where you >> > can buy
a replacement (and these things aren't expensive either). >> >> Go to a big truck stop: explore; and report back. >> >> Connie >> >> >> >> >> On Feb 21, 2016, at 7:38 PM, Jazzy <jazzydaze@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> >>>> And now we have time for a toast! >>>> >>>> You have a toaster? >>> >>> What kind of battery (size and type) do you have? A new electric >>> >> system
is coming up fast on my list. >>> >>> >> >> >>
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design
- Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com
-- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com