There is no way I would let this Ocean Planet giveaway pass by!!!
Product: (2) Solbian SR144 or SR108 Super Rugged Solar Panels
(2) SR144 688mm (26.9") x 1364 (53.7") 2.1 lbs 32 cells <---Preferred
(2) SR108 688mm (26.9") x 1046 (41.2") 1.7lbs 24 cells The reason I would like the SR144 is due to the 32 cells probably producing higher voltage earlier in the morning for the MPPT Controller. However the SR108 will probably fit better when on stern corner mounted poles with the swing arms when folded into the center with one panel above the other (because our stern is quite narrow -stern just 40" wide hull outside to outside). However I can use the bigger ones if I mount them so they extend 36" on the swing arm side and 18" on the other side and they will still fold to the center for lashing. See Solar Panels 32' boat Post #38
The reason I like these flexible Solbian Solar SR rugged panels which can be accessed from the Ocean Planet Product page is
- efficiency
- light weight
- durability.
- two metallic grids to optimize current harvesting
- strong mechanical support
- crack and bend tolerance
Mounting and Use:
These Panels will recharge the House Bank (FLA (2)T-105 6vdc in series) when on the mooring and provide additional capacity while cruising for our typical loads which include a B&G Zeus Touch & 4G Radar, an Ozifridge (5a, 30ah-60ah/day).
For panel portability and adjustment flexibility, I would like SS grommets placed around the edge of the panels, one at each cell line, so that I could use 1/4" line to secure the panels to lightweight rectangular frames (made of 1" carbon fiber tube with rigid aluminum joints). The inside diameter of the frames will be about 1" larger to allow better airflow and cooling. I would like to have the solar panel mounted on a plastic sheet or double wall polycarbonate panel, if that is best for longevity, provided they will still stay cool with airflow. I will use these two panels located at the stern of the boat securing them with additional support tubes and easily adaptable 1" dia clamps of my design and construction, to the stern railing and the waltz radar mount in various configurations:
1. Bimini style but with adjustment for sun angles.
2. Wings off the stern railing (side & stern) also with adjustment for angle.
3. Stern corner pole swing arms, with one slightly higher than the other so they can be swung over one another into the centerline.
They will be easy to store below during storms etc.
This General Solbian Users Manual is useful and shows the grommets and mentions the backing options. They will be wired in parallel due to shading issues from the sail and backstay mounted radar, with heavy gauge wires MP4 connectors and
deck glands, leading to a
Victron SmartSolar Charge Controller MPPT 100/30 with Bluetooth or perhaps a Genasun Boost Controller if that is absolutely necessary.
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Of course the boat would love to have better
batteries
1.
Genasun GLI-200 LiFePo 10.48"h x 23.08"l x 6.89"w might would fit but would be close.
2.
Firefly (2) G31 12vdc or (3) L15+ 4V G31=13.5” x 6.7” x 9.4”, 75lbs I think I might find room somewhere for these.
and faster
Alternator charging with
1.
Mark Grasser MGDC180a Alternator with serpentine belt kit for a
Yanmar 3YM30, possibly with a
remote rectifier.
and a
Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor would be very useful,
but that would be an unbelievable early Christmas.
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JanetH posted these items as part of the giveaway:
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From Ocean Planets Rules:
To enter, simply do the following:
- Visit the site Ocean Planet Energy
- Select a product you would like to own or think would be an awesome addition to your boat!
- Copy the URL of that item from the OceanPlanet Energy Website (the web address at top of your browser) and paste the URL into a post in this thread/discussion.
- Include a few words in your entry post about why you would like to own that item and how you might use it.