Lucia 40: Solar and Lucia 40

[CatNewBee]

a lot of effort, you must lock the drawer somehow.

I consider this dessign useless in the long run, usually you want all your panels out to catch sun rays, you probably will never colapse the array except during a storm - but even then a rigid construction might be better.

also a solid construction would be lighter and more powerfull, e.g 5 panels side by side in an array of 5.25m x 1.50m with a total capacity of 1.650Wh using 330Wp panels 1.05m x 1.5m in size.

[Watermelon123]

I’ve got 2 Panasonic 325 watt panels and with a sunny day will easily put out 3kw. I run fridge, separate freezer, AC hot water heater, tv lights etc. I’m curious about these larger arrays and what you all will do with extra power...

[rom]

Originally Posted by Watermelon123

I’ve got 2 Panasonic 325 watt panels and with a sunny day will easily put out 3kw. I run fridge, separate freezer, AC hot water heater, tv lights etc. I’m curious about these larger arrays and what you all will do with extra power...

I have 4x 330W and there are quite a few days in a year where I could use some more. It does not only depend on your needs, it also depends on where & when you are.

[Falbala60]

Originally Posted by CatNewBee

a lot of effort, you must lock the drawer somehow.

I consider this dessign useless in the long run, usually you want all your panels out to catch sun rays, you probably will never colapse the array except during a storm - but even then a rigid construction might be better.

also a solid construction would be lighter and more powerfull, e.g 5 panels side by side in an array of 5.25m x 1.50m with a total capacity of 1.650Wh using 330Wp panels 1.05m x 1.5m in size.

This is a study for those who do not want any overhang. In my case I would prefer not to have. If the designers of the Lucia made such simulation they would realize that making the bimini just 12in longer, with proper reinforcement because the actual is a bit "flimzy", owners can add over 1000W without affecting "the look".

[Falbala60]

Originally Posted by Watermelon123

I’ve got 2 Panasonic 325 watt panels and with a sunny day will easily put out 3kw. I run fridge, separate freezer, AC hot water heater, tv lights etc. I’m curious about these larger arrays and what you all will do with extra power...

We will be live-aboard for 12 weeks periods and ky wife (and mee too) HATE generator and I try to avoid it even in a cloudy day. From what others said, 1000W in enough to give good service even in a cloudy day. We have a genset only for US charter needing AC and a diving compressor.

[Falbala60]

Originally Posted by rom

I have 4x 330W and there are quite a few days in a year where I could use some more. It does not only depend on your needs, it also depends on where & when you are.

Good hint

[Watermelon123]

I’ve got this Victron, blue solar charge controller with a blue tooth adapter called a dongle. I was looking at history but it only goes back 30 days. Seems like I remember very cloudy rainy days where the system only put out a couple hundred watts.

I plan to run my generator in these unfortunate situations or perhaps the inboard diesel if it hasn’t been run in a while.

I’m not sure any array would be large enough not to have some auxiliary power if there were a week of heavy clouds.

Hmmm

[CatNewBee]

I want to add 5 of them on my Lagoon, mainly for the fridges and freezer, watermaker, autopilot, navigation and induction cooktop plus some kitchen gadgets and icemaker for the sundowners...
Also a diving compressor would be a consumer from time to time. 1.000 Ah LiFeYPO4 is planned as storage plus a 5kW inverter charger. The more power you have the more ideas come up...

[Terbonium]

Panels installed. I'll update with some better photos later in the week.

[Falbala60]

I don't have my Lucia yet.... in September !
Terbonium said that passages for solar wiring are already there in the main rail confirmed by MKB53

[Terbonium]

Yep, wiring thru the traveler will be easy.. Getting the wires thru the cockpit area will require a little finesse and a hammer.

After ripping down the fabric center piece I had clips installed so it could be quickly removed in the future. if needed. (ie rope lighting addition)

[Oliver66]

Great job terbonium !
i'll be next, I've done installation of Victron BMV 701 and also the MPPT regulator and battery wiring work.
I'll waitfor spring to do the panels fitting and wiring down to the regulator.
I'll post some photos nexrt time i'll go to the boat.

how did you "ripped" the fabric center piece ? sharp knife ?? and then inside you go down to maestro hull exact?
on right cabinet behind helm station ?
some photos and explanation would be very appreciate !!

[LeeV]

Can anybody tell me where they found somebody willing to sell you the Sunpower SP X22-360 panels? I've called 11 places now, and they are all responding that they're not allowed to sell 3 panels, and that Sunpower requires them to sell in batch for residential install projects.

Thanks!

[Falbala60]

Terbonium,
Thank you for your design, debugging and pictures for solar.
I am shy to ask you more.
To "return" let me know anything I can do for a complex 3D design (SolidWorks) or 3D printing (Markforged in nylon plus carbon fiber) that can replace a broken part stronger than the original.

THIS OFFER IS FOR ALL ON THIS FORUM (who contribute ha ha ) !!!

1 - I tried to find a Canadian distr. for SunPower but seems NO ONE ! I found some on the way Mtl>FL but they all answered me : "We don't have DC panels in stock and will not order them".
Where did you got yours ?

2 - From your pictures, the SS support on the bimini top is straight with no curvature to match the main rail... are the post the same height because the bimini top is also straight ?

3 - Is the angled bracket from the bimini top to the bimini column is from FP (they realized it is TOO WEAK) or your design ? If from FP I will not design one similar.

I know you are busy, no urgency to answer ... delivery September in La Rochelle.
Best regards

[Terbonium]

Originally Posted by LeeV

Can anybody tell me where they found somebody willing to sell you the Sunpower SP X22-360 panels? I've called 11 places now, and they are all responding that they're not allowed to sell 3 panels, and that Sunpower requires them to sell in batch for residential install projects.

Thanks!

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