A way To Save Charging Time

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

GLOBAL WARMING !! OH, THE HUMANITY !!

Doing our best to help warm the planet 1kw at a time.

[sailorboy1]

I don't understand how an extra battery charger reduces charging time, unless you didn't have the right size charger to start with. I never have seen my battery charger supply 70% of it's rating because the batteries have always limited it.

It's the same with solar, if I installed twice as much solar it still would take 4-5 hours to charge that last 5%.

[Kenomac]

Not talking about the last 5%, the bulk charging is reduced by 60%.

Looking this week at solar for the final 5% top off. Do you think adding 300w of Solbians to the bimini will do the job? Four separate 75w flex panels.

[robbievardon]

Kennomac,most interested to hear what you mean by 100% solar powered by November? Does this mean you will need a vast bank of batteries overnight or do you have a secret power source?

[DeepFrz]

Actually, if you want to get to a full charge, you will probably reduce charging time by mere minutes.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by robbievardon

Kennomac,most interested to hear what you mean by 100% solar powered by November? Does this mean you will need a vast bank of batteries overnight or do you have a secret power source?

It means we will be producing more electrical power via solar panels than we use.

[Jeanneau 45.2]

FWIW, we have 400W with a MPPT controller. currently getting consistently 110 - 120 Ah per day in the coastal SE USA on sunny days. Added about three months ago and very happy. No longer need to run the genset on a daily basis ... pretty much relegated to 120 volt chores ... making hot water, watermaker, etc. Everything else runs off a 2000 watt inverter

[Kenomac]

Thanks,

Calling the local Solbian dealer in the morning, already sent an email for pricing. Sounds like 300w should do the job.

[robbievardon]

Kenomac, I don't understand your reply. Where does your power come from at night/sunless days? What do you do with your surplus/why do you need surplus? What level of efficiency do your panels run at?Do they track the sun?

[barnakiel]

Except that you seem to have opted for 80% of the 10k to be spent on the arch.

Choices, choices!

Solar panels are dirt cheap now. I installed a huge solar kit on an Oyster 70 last year. Total cost less than 2k. 30 Amp mppt output into 24V boat system.

Cheers,
b.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Except that you seem to have opted for 80% of the 10k to be spent on the arch.

Choices, choices!

Solar panels are dirt cheap now. I installed a huge solar kit on an Oyster 70 last year. Total cost less than 2k. 30 Amp mppt output into 24V boat system.

Cheers,
b.

Arch? Never was an arch (ugly). Last season we looked at having a solar "wing" built over the dinghy davits but nixed the idea. Today, I'm pricing five Solbian panels for the very top of the bimini that I can install myself for around $2,000 which will produce 375w.

[weavis]

Gosh.

Makes mine totally inadequate....

[weavis]

Being realistic.

For a 40 foot+ vessel with a good galley and shower and heater and A/C.... what would be a reasonable amount of solar panel requirements?

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by weavis

Being realistic.

For a 40 foot+ vessel with a good galley and shower and heater and A/C.... what would be a reasonable amount of solar panel requirements?

Using A/C with solar would be impossible, a large generator or shore power is the only solution if one requires A/C. We never need or use ours since we're nearly always in anchorages which are much cooler.

With our electric galley, I expect 375w of solar should be enough even with some shading at times, if we run the generator during meal preparation for breakfast and supper which will also take care of our hot water needs.

The biggest draw is refrigeration.

[weavis]

In the UK, I have the small centaur. De nephew uses the 2k generator (Honda) for most electrical requirements when moored.


He is installing a 100W solar panel and when installed will cover battery charging which powers the fridge (12 volt) and smaller items... NEW 100W 12v Energy+ Semi Flexible Mono Solar Panel - 100 watt - TUV ISO UK | eBay

As you stated, Solar is becoming cheaper by the month. Not only that the panels themselves are becoming very flexible so can be installed neatly on slightly curved surfaces...