Power: Solar, wind, lights, towed....???

[CapnK]

Very interesting setup on Guenevere, and LOL @ Craigs "Skylab Motif" comment. :D

Made me think - ouch. ;)

I like Guen's idea somewhat, in that you can fold the panels up/down, but I would be hesitant to leave the panels on while underway - seems like a lot of windage (esp. in that vertical configuration), and a high chance of damage occurring to the panels.

If you had a stainless rail for a top cockpit lifeline (similar to that on "Uhuru", pictured below {I love Uhuru's stainless!}), you could mount the panels horizontally, still be able to swing them up when possible, and they would be behind the widest point of the boat, protected somewhat by the taper of the hull. They would serve somewhat as leecloths, too. ;) Flexible panels attached to a frame would work here as well, and could be stowed for a storm more easily.

Something to think about... :)

I've been planning to supplement solar with a wind generator. The combo wind/tow generator gadget looks neat, and has been used by lots of cruisers for a long time - might be worth the price. :)

[AdriftAtSea]

The DuoGen is kind of a neat beastie, if a bit noisy.  But having the ability to charge with wind at anchor, and via water on a long passage is not a bad one... give you far more flexibility than wind alone, and really would supplement solar, nicely.

[maxiSwede]

The DuoGen is kind of a neat beastie, if a bit noisy.  But having the ability to charge with wind at anchor, and via water on a long passage is not a bad one... give you far more flexibility than wind alone, and really would supplement solar, nicely.

exactly my point of view too. The downside is that a duogen setup costs aaaalmost as much as a water gen + a windgen   >:(   at least on this side of the pond. I cant´t figure out why...

[AdriftAtSea]

Can't help you with pricing in the EU... which seems to be a bit odd due to import tariffs, exchange rates and all that...

[Lynx]

On the wind gen's - The charging curive needs a some wind to make any amps. So if your cruising area does have the wind then it is good.

But underway it may not be.

[CharlieJ]

When I was living on my 35 trimaran, I had a wind generator (Amp Air 50)  mounted atop the mizzen. Perfect place for it- out of the way, in clear air most times and unable to whack someone. The newer ones have higher ratings.

On small boats, like the Ariels,Tritons and our Meridian, a wind generator becomes somewhat of a problem- first finding a good place for it, then guying it off. It HAS to be high enough so no one can accidentally walk into the blades, so takes a substantial pipe or something to hang it on.

Of course, solar panels become a problem also. We have our flex panel mounted on the top of the bimini and if I were to add a second ( flex ) panel, I'd probably put it on the other section. Out of the way, and pretty much in sunlight, a good bit of the time. Rigid panels would most likely have to go aft either on the engine well cover or on brackets like the Martins did on Direction.

Ours is a 32 watt panel and serves us quite well. We carry a single Grp 27 battery.  BUT- we are frugal with using the juice.

You can see the panel in this picture-

[Ged]

I run a 30W panel on my TS 16 and find it very useful. It powers my anchor light, sounder and VHF. And of course, it will at that power handle upgrades. It all goes into a 70 aH battery. I can't get onto the 'Trailer Sailor' forum any more ... seems to be a blanket filter on access from South Asia and Australia.
Best, Ged

[BobW]

At least I think it is simple...

I use a small (5W) solar panel to charge my battery.  The wire from the panel to the battery attaches to the terminals with allegator clips.  The panel sits on the foredeck with the wire fed under the hatch and leads under the settee cushion through an access hatch to the battery.  When underway the panel is stowed on the V-berth. 

What I'd like to do is stow the panel in a bag in a cockpit locker when underway.  To make that easier I'd like to install a fitting in the wire so I can disconnect the panel without wrestling the cushion and standing on my head to reach the clips at the battery (I don't really stand on my head, but there is some gymnastics involved).

What kind of fitting am I looking for?

Thanks.

[Captain Smollett]

Bob,

My first impulse was ordinary bullet connectors should work.  At 5 W, you only have a few hundred milliamps.  Defender carries some made by Achor. 

What gauge is the wire?

Here's a handy chart for wire sizing aboard.

[Pixie Dust]

Bob, when I connected my solar panel, I used a trolling motor quick disconnect at the base of the solar panel.  Water proof, solid connection and easy to disconnect when needed.  It has worked great!

[AdriftAtSea]

I'd second the trolling motor disconnects... I use them for the solar panels on the Pretty Gee.  They're also twist-lock, like the bigger shorepower cables, which makes the connection pretty secure.

[CapnK]

Hey there, Ged! Good to have you aboard, I've always looked forward to reading about your trips and seeing the pictures on the TSBB, so it is great to have you here. :D

Yours is among the smallest of boats here, but I know that the two of you get around more than many, many bigger boats, so it's a great fit...  8)

[skylark]

I run a 30W panel on my TS 16 and find it very useful. It powers my anchor light, sounder and VHF. And of course, it will at that power handle upgrades. It all goes into a 70 aH battery. I can't get onto the 'Trailer Sailor' forum any more ... seems to be a blanket filter on access from South Asia and Australia.
Best, Ged

The Trailer Sailor signal to noise ratio is pretty darn low right now, you are not missing much.  Stick around here!

[Ged]

I'm doing a sailing trip in 'le Sel' during June/July, so I'll post some pics and a yarn about it when I get back. Best, Ged

[Lynx]

I decided to go with the option of 2 Kyocera 20 watt solar panels in separate bags with 1 inch of closed cell foam extended from the inside. This way I can put them anywhere I wanted to. The connections are Good mechanical as I know that I will be putting them on and off over 200 times in the next 3 years.

Panels -


When stored you can put everything inside as it is Velcro'ed -


Here is the connectors inside with the black caps on (this is above the fan) -


Behind this is a 4 amp solar regulator connected directly to the battery.

Just make sure that the bags are tight so the panels do not move

[skylark]

Which connector fittings did you use, are those the ones with chains hanging off from them in the last pic?  What do the outside fitting and connector look like?

Your bag method looks good, although heat is an enemy of electronics in general and I believe it lowers the output of a solar panel.  With insulation underneath you might be losing some efficiency.  Not sure if it is significant though.  Is there vinyl of some kind on top of the solar panel?

[wildman]

works for me and my 10-W panel ....
Paul

[AdriftAtSea]

The connectors I used for my solar panels were the three-prong twist-lock electric trolling motor connectors.  They're very heavy duty, and I have the third wire setup so I can use them as exterior accessory outlets, when I'm not using them for the solar panels.  I changed out the cord plug on a 12V hand held spotlight with one of the connectors.  Of the three pins, one is a ground, one is +12VDC power, and the last one is to the solar panel charger bus. 

[BobW]

Thanks for the great ideas and suggestions!   :)

I'll figure out which of your ideas I think will work best for me, shop for the parts, and get them installed!

[AdriftAtSea]

BobW-

In case you wanted to see what I am using.  You can see them here.