Would you buy blocks of ICE ?

[Sea Frog]

I am intending to install 3 kw solar on 50' cat. Plus 2 wind turbines. But I don't quite see a problem consuming it. Freezers, fridge, all electronics, lights... Besides, I want to run A/C offgrid, without genset, purely from batteries. Then, there is a hot water to be made, if there are still excess watts I think, with 4 kw you are barelly covering your basic needs including a/c. If you live aboard, that is

[nimblemotors]

Originally Posted by Sea Frog

I am intending to install 3 kw solar on 50' cat. Plus 2 wind turbines. But I don't quite see a problem consuming it. Freezers, fridge, all electronics, lights... Besides, I want to run A/C offgrid, without genset, purely from batteries. Then, there is a hot water to be made, if there are still excess watts I think, with 4 kw you are barelly covering your basic needs including a/c. If you live aboard, that is

4kw barely covering basic needs? I don't think you realize how much that is.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

4kw barely covering basic needs? I don't think you realize how much that is.

Maybe he means .4kw. Those decimal points can be tricky. Still....

[sabray]

4 kw covers basic needs including AC. So the base line of basic needs has been established.
You will need about 32 sq meters of solar panel to get this output. So 39 yards by 1 yard to give an idea of size for old English ruler types.
Probably when you get that big 4 kw won't serve your needs. You'll need a bigger boat but you will soon find the problem that bigger needs more. On it goes. I guess you could have a flotilla of floating panels dragging behind your boat which just might be the ticket.

[de_gijbels]

Why don't you use the excess power for electric propulsion?
Throw out the stinky engines :-)

[Sea Frog]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

4kw barely covering basic needs? I don't think you realize how much that is.

4 kw panels will give more or less 2500-3000 ah to batteries per day depensing on solar conditions. AC on 50' boat in tropics, used liberally, will probably eat that much per day (depends on a lot of stuff, of course, including AC efficiency, hull insulation, windows heat rejection etc etc etc). When I talk about "basic" needs I mean AC included.

[Talbot]

Rather than making blocks of ice, why not consider getting an ice maker and making bags of ice cubes - I am sure cruisers will be more interested in that. I have a small one onboard to provide my requirements, but could see that this could make you real popular in an anchorage.



This one makes 10kg of ice in 24hours

[nimblemotors]

The blocks of ice I'm thinking about would be 12oz beer can sized. This size would fit nicely anywhere. Block ice is best for refrigeration purposes, and can always be broken up if needed for drinks. I don't think anyone will come over just to buy some cubes for their drinks. I think the biggest customers would actually be fisherman, not other cruisers.

However, what I think is a better idea is not ice itself, but making and selling ice cream! Anyone without their own freezer can't keep their own, can stop on buy for a dish of vanilla, adds a lot more value than just ice.

And btw, I have 4.2Kw of thin film solar panels sitting here.
I've got my jet boat project to finish and a couple others before getting back to the big boat project.

[Sea Frog]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

And btw, I have 4.2Kw of thin film solar panels sitting here.

What brand are they?

[IdoraKeeper]

You could direct the power into the water and demand/extort payment to avoid galvanic. Corrosion. You could run a whisky still! You could use it to catch fish! You could raft up and charge to recharge batteries. You could electrify your rails for self defense if you try any of my ideas.

Todd

[cheoah]

I'd buy both. If you make good ice cream people will buy. I like the idea of a solar powered ice cream man on a sailboat. Have you thought about the music you'll play coming into the anchorage?

Seriously have you looked at electric propulsion? That would be the cats a$$, pretty slick.

[nimblemotors]

Originally Posted by cheoah

I'd buy both. If you make good ice cream people will buy. I like the idea of a solar powered ice cream man on a sailboat. Have you thought about the music you'll play coming into the anchorage?

Seriously have you looked at electric propulsion? That would be the cats a$$, pretty slick.

Thanks, all that solar IS for the electric propulsion! Hybrid gas motor too.
But what to do with it all the power once I'm anchored is the question. I could try to manufacture fuel, but making and selling ice (and ice cream) seems easier, safer, more fun and I'd get to meet lots of people.

[SunDevil]

How far are you planning to go? I'm a fan of solar electric boats, but I would look into how much power the panels make throughout the day and how much energy the motors need. Plus the other things like cooking, refrigeration, electronics, lights, etc.

As for an idea, have people bring their own alcohol and fruit juice and you provide the blender and the ice...

[Marmenorman]

Any photos of your setup, how big is it?

[J Clark H356]

4kw of installed solar is not that much. I have a 5kw Northern Lights generator and it runs my H356 just fine with all the same stuff you ar talking about, but 4 kw would be too small for my boat. I don't have gobs of excess power! With AC on a 50 foot boat, I think you will find it too small - you will not produce 4KW of power from a 4kw system. You need to look into power efficiencies of real life systems before you put all your eggs in the solar basket!