What specs for solar setup?

[dism]

Hi All,

Just sussing out specs for suitable solar system for my Top Hat Azzura.

It currently has a racing setup with very small panel etc.

As I plan to do a bit of cruising etc will need to run the usual (plotter, tillerpilot, vhf, radio,phone charger, nav lights).

What sort of amp hours should I plan for?

Thinking moncrystal 100-120w panel, mppt regulator and agm battery (100wh+)?


Am I on the right track?

[Phillip]

Yep,

I have a 100W panel which works. I have two 120 ah house battery's and a 100w started battery.

Take care when buying the panels as some are much heavier than others, its the tare weight you need not the shipping weight.

Look at my sailblog site for the panel support frame.

Don't forget the battery regulators!!!!!

[lockie]

If you want batteries on a budget, keep an eye out on Ebay for used UPS batteries. These generally sell for around $1 per Amphour. I've used a couple over the years and they are excellent value. Even though they are not true starting batteries, mine are fine for starting my 12hp diesel.

For a fairly cheap good MPPT regulator, try the 10A Tracer unit, like this one, with the remote display.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10A-Tracer-1 ... 1019268073

Cheers, Graeme

[dism]

Thanks Phillip and Lockie,

Sussing out suitable panels. Didn't think of weight issue before. Any suggestions on best (or limit of) panel dimensions for a Toppie (to be Bimini mounted when find suitable mounting parts and time)?

Phillip your panel mounting looks good. Know if they sell something similar? Might have a close look at the Whitworths ones.

Ordered that mppt charger.

Have a mate sussing agm batteries at wholesale.

[lockie]

I have 3 x 20W panels on a Tee-shaped pole which I had welded up out of 38mm SS tube, fixed to the pushpit. Also a 5W panel for the starter battery. It works well for longer cruises, including using a tillerpilot. But I don't have a fridge.

My panels are a few years old, but you could probably get an 80W panel these days that wouldn't be much bigger or heavier than mine.

Cheers, Graeme

[Shaun]

G'day,
Similar option is making a mount like Atom's Solar Tracker http://www.atomvoyages.com/cys/222-the- ... acker.html . I made one to mount a 40w panel on, I also wired in a 10w panel mounted on the side of the pushpit.
From recent reading I have done, the consensus seems to be to have the largest single battery that you can afford, that is weight & size practical for where you want to put it, without the complications of dual batteries if you don't need the engine starting battery.
cheers

[Phillip]

The weight issue I found was that a 80W panel was 4kg heavier than a 100w panel and the extra size was only a couple of cm all round.

But that was a couple of years ago, all may have changed now.

I made up the frame for my panel using the ss fittings for a Bimini. Has stood up to over 40 knots while sailing. 50 + on the mooring.

[lockie]

I made up a frame out of pop-riveted aluminium angle, and fixed it to the top of the tee-frame using rail mounts from Whitworths. Easy, cost peanuts.

[dism]

So far have got 100w mono kyocera-celled solar 9kg panel, that above linked tracer 10a mppt solar charger, 5m of 4mm cable and a 100ah agm battery on order. Rest of system already wired up (cig lighter plug to run an inverter or chartplotter).

Aussie batteries and solar have a good site + ebay, do the panel + charger and batteries. 20% off currently on their site

Figured need to keep panel dimension to within boat mounting location (transom) width, to avoid nasty docking damage. Fyi this is 105cm on a Mark1, so 100w panel or 120-130w fits, if lucky.

Hope I can throw that into the existing electrics and do up a quick temp transom rail install for the trip home. Think zip ties, gaff tape and some panel and rail clamps should hopefully work well enough.

I'll then mess around to tweak fitout for ergonomics, tinned wire, route it more directly/thru cockpit better.

Any photos of your panel to rail attachments?

[lockie]

Here you go. This is Shakti's old setup with 2 x 20W panels on a 25mm tee-pole. She now has 3 x 20W plus the 5W panel on a 32mm welded tee-pole. Plus a 4G antenna for mobile/internet coverage. The pole is attached to the pushpit with a U-bolt and sits on a butchered SS fitting which provides a mounting foot. It is easy to rotate and tilt for max power.

Cheers, Graeme

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