solar v wind (or an S&S34?)

[scott]

Hi all,

I'm considering which is the best, or most practicle method for keeping batteries charged. I'm going to replace my current temporary battery with something around the 70-100ah mark and rather than pulling it out to charge would rather use solar or wind.

I only need to power the nav and cabin lights (LED), VHF and AM/FM radio, sounder and some sort of plotter or if not a plotter, at least a GPS (speaking of which, the GP450X looks a good buy now it around $300) and the tiller pilot (running most of the time and probably the biggest user of power at around 1.5A at worst).

I currently (excuse the pun) have a solar panel which is either 10 or 20w, so virtually useless for charging. I believe a 40w panel will do the job, with 60w probably overkill, but maybe better to be safe than sorry. But the downside to this is the size, especially 60w. On the back of a TH maybe a little large, but a 40w should be ok.

I haven't researched wind generators to any extent, but imagine the output would be comparable, if not better (and more consistant given it's wind genarated) than solar, but again, are they a little large for a TH?

So....grateful if anyone has any opinions re solar panels v wind.

Or do I get my dream S&S34 so the 60w will fit!

Thanks in advance,
Scott.

[karl010203]

Hi Scott,

Dont forget that you will spend time motoring and therefore can do the bulk of your charging via charging unit from outboard, or alternator from inboard.

On Solitude we have a Yamaha 8hp, with the rectifyer, which only added a couple of hundred dollars to the purchase price when new, I seem to remember it being quoted at being about to put out about 4a/h at certain revs but even at half that is able to keep everything running and the battery charged.

We have a 70ah battery. And a solar panel to keep things topped up when on mooring, I think it is a 10 or 15 w panel. Works well for me. I also changed all internal lighting to the LED panels, improved the internal lighting in general and extended the battery life no end.

Yes you are correct the autopilot is the big energy thief, I also found that the CD player draws a lot, and going to my portable MP3 player and charging via usb adapter and 12v cig made a difference for me.

I only have a single battery in place, although have the holder, isolator etc to accomodate the second, if I was to go cruising with a fridge or something it would be a consideration.

Also regarding the S&S34, dont they all have to painted pink now?

[Shaun]

Gday Scott,
I would of thought that Solar would be the go now, because the price of the panels has at least halved in the last year or two!, ....as an added bonus their quiet, will still work at peak performance in the beautiful calm anchorage, & if you can build or mount them on a SS targa type frame (jessica watson style) their out of the way & offer a little sun protection, you could also hang or attach all the other useful stuff to the frame.
Or it would be easy to fabricate a swivelling/angleing type mount for the panel on the pushpit.

I have a 40w panel on Nightcap charging a Century MarinePro 600 battery(dont have any motor charging, but i think that would be handy), I run nav lights, VHF, compass light & st2000, ive never run out of power, but am quite frugal in the power consumption, often hand steering to save power but because i dont know much about electrical systems im not sure if i really need to be so frugal??. I have the switch on the switchboard for the autopilot, easily reachable from the cockpit so its simple to turn it off standby when not in use.

Im also in the process of working out the best method for tunes on the boat, will go with the mp3...Karl do you run yours through a docking station speaker? & if so how do you power the speakers? or through earphones?

cheers

[8philip8]

hi Scott
had a battery problem after installed a electric toilet after staying onboard for a weekend.(I had 2x start batteries onboard)
now I've installed a 40w BP solar panel /regulator/85Ah deepcycle battery for house usage.no more problem.
keep the start battery for the inboard motor only.
ps.I was told some other solar lose it's charging ability after a few years.
BP is the best.
SYLPH
middle harbour Sydney

[8philip8]

cheers from SYLPH.

[Miker]

That's a nice set up Sylph,

What are the hinges and support brackets? Are they stock from a chandler?

Michael

[8philip8]

yes Michael
from Whitworths ....3 x deck fitting+ coupling(25mm)
cheers
Sylph

[Miker]

yes Michael
from Whitworths ....3 x deck fitting+ coupling(25mm)
cheers
Sylph

Excellent Sylph, gotta be better than the 6 foot timber post mine is currently on!

Another job to add to the list!

Michael