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Cruisin' Threads => Boat Bits => Topic started by: Bob J (ex-misfits) on August 25, 2018, 03:30:36 PM

Title: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Bob J (ex-misfits) on August 25, 2018, 03:30:36 PM
Frank & others were very kind in sharing their solar configuration.
I've mounted 2-24 volt 100 amp panels on each rail using rail clamps. It allows me to rotate rhe panels, fold them flat or take them to stow in the quarter berth. I went with the Midnight Kid mppt controller because it has a menu you don't need a smart phone to configure.  I have a PV disconnect & a manual double pole transfer switch connected to the 48 volt propulsion bank & the 12 volt house bank. The controller outlet goes to the tranfer switch & I can select which bank I want to charge by selecting that bank & changing the controller voltage outlet. Work pissa. Sometimes I even scare myself with these hairbrain science experiments I come up with :)
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Bob J (ex-misfits) on August 25, 2018, 03:34:02 PM
Another pic
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Bob J (ex-misfits) on August 25, 2018, 03:35:18 PM
Another
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Frank on August 25, 2018, 08:23:23 PM
Awesome!
Love the flexibility!
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Owly055 on August 26, 2018, 10:18:53 AM
Quote from: misfits on August 25, 2018, 03:30:36 PM
Frank & others were very kind in sharing their solar configuration.
I've mounted 2-24 volt 100 amp panels on each rail using rail clamps. It allows me to rotate rhe panels, fold them flat or take them to stow in the quarter berth. I went with the Midnight Kid mppt controller because it has a menu you don't need a smart phone to configure.  I have a PV disconnect & a manual double pole transfer switch connected to the 48 volt propulsion bank & the 12 volt house bank. The controller outlet goes to the tranfer switch & I can select which bank I want to charge by selecting that bank & changing the controller voltage outlet. Work pissa. Sometimes I even scare myself with these hairbrain science experiments I come up with :)

I've never even heard of such a thing as 100 amp panels.......    100 amps at 24 volt would make them a 2400 watt watt panel.... I'm curious how you keep 4800 watts from cooking  your batteries and what you do with the surplus energy...........  Where did you find them and what did they cost?   You must have some very substantial wiring to carry 200 amps of current.   4800 watts is equal to over 6 horsepower.  It would make sense to use these for propulsion........... It's difficult to imagine panels of that size producing that kind of power.......

                                                                            H.W.
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Frank on August 26, 2018, 11:09:37 AM
I'm sure they're 100watt panels 😄
Wait n see...
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Bob J (ex-misfits) on August 26, 2018, 01:08:13 PM
Yea, they're a 100 watt panels.
Looks like I had a Corona moment, hate it when that happens 8)
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Frank on August 26, 2018, 05:22:08 PM
For Kurt or I , would have been a "rum blurr" moment 😉
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: CharlieJ on August 26, 2018, 09:06:43 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Frank on August 26, 2018, 09:13:20 PM
Yes CJ....you're in that "rum club" too 😉
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Owly055 on August 29, 2018, 08:29:19 PM
Quote from: misfits on August 26, 2018, 01:08:13 PM
Yea, they're a 100 watt panels.
Looks like I had a Corona moment, hate it when that happens 8)

darn!   I was hoping.................. new technology.

                                                            H.W.
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: SeaHusky on August 30, 2018, 04:16:34 AM
That would be cool, when you want to start the engine or produce 100 gallons of fresh water you peel back the cover of the solar panel...
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Norman on August 30, 2018, 08:24:27 AM
Start the engine?  With that much solar input, an electric drive would be the only way to go!

That would have been near 10 HP!

On the other hand, with only a reasonable battery bank, a cloudy day or a night time adventure with a lee shore would not be so good with electric drive.

Norman
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Owly055 on August 30, 2018, 10:09:53 AM
I'd like to find lunar and stellar panels........ anybody know where to get them ;-)

   
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: SeaHusky on August 30, 2018, 10:36:11 AM
Quote from: Owly055 on August 30, 2018, 10:09:53 AM
I'd like to find lunar and stellar panels........ anybody know where to get them ;-)
The tubes from night vision goggles arranged in a tray might give a few volts?

I recently read: Solar is just nuclear power at a safe distance...
Title: Re: Solar on my Boat
Post by: Phantom Jim on August 30, 2018, 08:36:14 PM
And i thought I was crazy trying to distill water at a rate of 20 gallons a day using an old pressure alcohol tank painted black and SS reflective plates;)