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22-10-2016, 14:23
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Deltaville, VA
Boat: Voyage 500
Posts: 29
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Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
I have seen a number of threads on solar and chargers, so pardon me if this appears redundant. I am looking for the sailors choice of best solar panel and charging system manufacturer. Ones that you have installed, trust and live by daily for the best solution of flexible non rigid panels, easy maintenance and panel efficiency combined with chargers and monitoring. These would be installed on a Catamaran, specifically either an FP40 or FP44. I am just not convinced the std FP solar package is worth the price for the low energy output.
Thank you for your thoughts in advance.
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22-10-2016, 19:00
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairhope, AL
Boat: Cabo Rico 45 build #005
Posts: 217
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
I've got a pair of Kocyera 85's installed by PO. Working good after 10 years. Just now re-wiring to a parallel input with a victron regulator-good unit that adapts to a variety of charging schedules
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22-10-2016, 20:28
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Boat: Wauquiez Centurion 49
Posts: 783
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
I went thru this scenario about two years ago. Sun Power is the most efficient panel, followed by Panasonic/Sanyo. That said, you need to determine what fits, and the maximum wattage for the space allowed. Most of the flexible panels have significantly reduced wattage for the same foot print at higher prices. MPPT chargers are similar, Outback, Midnite solar, Rogue, and Blue Sky all get the job done depending on the size of the array.
There is a 30% Federal tax credit for solar. This is for the entire job.
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23-10-2016, 08:46
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: St Pete
Boat: Sabre 34 , Island Packet 38
Posts: 737
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
That 30% tax credit, how does it apply. I don't live on my boat full time yet.
__________________
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Edmund Burke
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23-10-2016, 12:32
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Boat: Wauquiez Centurion 49
Posts: 783
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
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25-10-2016, 10:50
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#6
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Aboard
Boat: Seaton 60' Ketch
Posts: 1,338
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
For a cat hardtop? Solara PowerM "walk on" panels using real Sun Power cells and one Genasun or Victron controller for each panel... not cheap but wonderful
Disclaimer
I sell these and many other panels
__________________
Scott Berg
WAØLSS
SV CHARDONNAY
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26-10-2016, 00:51
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Orential N.C.
Boat: 1981 Morgan OI 41
Posts: 162
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Berg
For a cat hardtop? Solara PowerM "walk on" panels using real Sun Power cells and one Genasun or Victron controller for each panel... not cheap but wonderful
Disclaimer
I sell these and many other panels
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Where are you located? Or where do you sell them from?
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26-10-2016, 02:07
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: On the boat
Boat: LAGOON 400
Posts: 2,347
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Berg
For a cat hardtop? Solara PowerM "walk on" panels using real Sun Power cells and one Genasun or Victron controller for each panel... not cheap but wonderful
Disclaimer
I sell these and many other panels
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some pics of installation would be lovely.
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26-10-2016, 18:17
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Long Beach Ca.
Boat: Westsail 28
Posts: 353
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
Divedoug68 , I would be interested to know what your power requirements are and the batts. you have . Because you asked "ones you have installed" , actually I got into it late in the game but that turned out to be a good thing . Product development and all that . My total cost for my panel and charge controller was about $300. I also needed some extension cables $ 25. And I made a nice frame out of oak . The new type panels are so light I just clip mine to the life lines . Yes they are semi flexible , but I wouldn't .
The panel.... Auction 100 Watt 100W 12V 12 Volt Lightweight Solar Panel RV Boat Marine | eBay
There are a lot of people selling this panel , the key thing here is Monocrystalline as opposed to Polycrystalline
The controller..... https://www.altestore.com/store/char...FYVXfgodZTAI3w
The key thing here is MPPT controller .
Anyhow all summer long it worked flawless
Our house bank consists of 2 6v Trojan t 105's . The panel is hooked up to these . Our power requirement is pretty small , no reefer all LED lighting we use a 110v TV and a 12v Sirius boom box . As far as monitoring the only thing I do is check Voltage , When the sun is out I'm reading 13.5 v at night be for bed I check and was never below 12.4 V . We are usually gone for 2 wks. at a time .
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03-11-2016, 06:30
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#10
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Aboard
Boat: Seaton 60' Ketch
Posts: 1,338
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Salty Mike
Where are you located? Or where do you sell them from?
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On the East Coast (Annapolis); there are many dealers... someone asked for a picture of an installation:
http://www.bruceschwab.com/uploads/s...pg-500x500.jpg
__________________
Scott Berg
WAØLSS
SV CHARDONNAY
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03-11-2016, 07:38
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Boat: Mahe 36, Helia 44 Evo, MY 37
Posts: 5,731
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
Divedoug68,
Sunpower are the best cells to get right now. They put out the most power for the weight and size which is very important on a catamaran.
You can get Sunpower x21 cells in hard panels or Flex panels. 22% high output efficiency
If your looking for something cheaper you can get the hard Renogy 100W for around $115 usd.
Victron MPPT controllers and Victron BMV-700 battery monitor are what a lot of cruisers are using right now.
Another option is to have Uchimata install a solar panel system right at the FP factory.
They can put in any configuration you would like before your catamaran leave France.
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03-11-2016, 18:52
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Live-aboard Cruiser
Boat: Lagoon 450
Posts: 628
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
Agree with those using Sunpower panels. We have an array of E20-327's feeding into Outback FM80. Mounted high behind the cockpit. Excellent energy. No noise. Charged batts. They've been champs now for 2.5yrs and counting.
__________________
Steve
SV Emerald Sea
L450
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04-11-2016, 06:18
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 64
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Re: Best Solar Array's and Chargers?
I dont understand why it is so difficult for the manufacturers to make effective solar panels.
Is it durability? The possibility to walk on them, thinness? Of course there is different applications but does not most people want them to primary give as much wattage as possible per area. Secondary requirements like possibility to walk on, size, thickness, withstanding hail etc etc.
I been experimenting with a new concept of solar panels. So far comparing my home made to those manufactured.
I get a lot better wattage out of them then any sun panel manufacturer. I made a square about 300x300mm and got 276W out of it. It took a while but I did not set it high in voltage but instead on 13,8V. I get an average of 20,1 Amps. Now if I were to resize this into a regular size panel I figure I need to take it about times 12 – 300x3= 900 wide and 300x4 high makes 3x12. That would make me 276x12 = 3312 Watts per solar panel. With 2 of these I would feed my household electric (including heating).
I even believe if one installed such panel in the roof top of a Tesla it would make wall chargin redundant.
My problems is.
They are ugly as H….
They are thick, nearly 8cm.
They cant be walked on, yet.
If I refind this, could there be a market? I do believe so.
I will experiment some more and come back with some more results.
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