Maximising solar energy.

[Ex- Member]

This was posted on FB don't know who ownes the boat, but they're seriously in to solar.

 

 

There's 6 panels on the roof as well. I wonder if the other side is clad the same, I would reckon so as those panels look well affixed so likely not easily swapped to the other side.

 

I was thinking of going for 2 additional 100w flexi panels for the coming winter, I might well double that now and go for 4.

[George94]

Unless he has an electric motor for an engine, I can't see why he needs so much power. God knows how many batteries he has.

 

ETA: Note the alternative fuel stored in the bow. He's obviously not confident he has enough solar for all conditions.

Edited May 26, 2014 by George94

[Paul C]

You can have too much solar power! While decisions are often based on "that seems like a good idea" or "everyone else has solar power, therefore I will have it" in theory there is an optimal amount of solar power to install, based on a capital cost vs running costs calculation.

[peterboat]

I would say he is using an electric motor with that much solar. I have 1k and 1500 ah and can go days without much sun without any issues

 

Peter

[John V]

I would say he is using an electric motor with that much solar. I have 1k and 1500 ah and can go days without much sun without any issues

 

Peter

 

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of power do you get through a day on average?

I have a fairly high 240v useage but when not on shore power have 2 built in generators,

I am thinking of removing the bigger one which was a fairly big cockup as it is far too powerful for my needs ( I was originally considering electric storage heaters but I developed a little sense) It is on the same side as the battery room which has plenty of space for more batteries (presently 260 ah @ 24v) and would more than compensate for the weight on that side.

I would still keep the wing generator (6 Kva) for heavy use such as washing machine tumble dryer etc.

[Mac of Cygnet]

Unless he has an electric motor for an engine, I can't see why he needs so much power. God knows how many batteries he has.

 

ETA: Note the alternative fuel stored in the bow. He's obviously not confident he has enough solar for all conditions.

 

That looks like a stovepipe in the bow as well? Don't quite know what's going on there.

[jodansgang]

I think that's Green King. She came down the L&L last week. By all accounts, (she who must be obeyed spoke to the owner), it has 17 batteries!

[KJT]

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of power do you get through a day on average?

I have a fairly high 240v useage but when not on shore power have 2 built in generators,

I am thinking of removing the bigger one which was a fairly big cockup as it is far too powerful for my needs ( I was originally considering electric storage heaters but I developed a little sense) It is on the same side as the battery room which has plenty of space for more batteries (presently 260 ah @ 24v) and would more than compensate for the weight on that side.

I would still keep the wing generator (6 Kva) for heavy use such as washing machine tumble dryer etc.

We find that, during the summer months, our 530 watts of solar with MPPT controllers (440ah batt capacity) provide ample power without needing to run either the engine or built in 3.5kva diesel gen. We have LED lighting throughout and everything else is 12v (fridge, freezers x 2, 2 x TVs, sat and free view boxes, DAB radio plus various laptop and phone chargers etc.) Even the microwave, toaster and bread maker we run through the invertor. Only the washing machine we run through the genny or when underway. With weather like today (rain!) we could last a couple of days before needing to recharge the batteries. Even now, at 8.15am and quite heavy rain the solar is putting in 3.5 amps which is enough to run the fridge for example. Of course the winter is a different story so you would need to consider your power usage very carefully. However I am sure your 6kva genny would be more than adequate.

 

Ken

[Stubaby]

We met the owner of the above boat yesterday, He was coming up the Marple flight.

 

Yes there is an identical set of panels on the other side; the roof panels open up so they are double the roof area, and if you look closely you will see a massive panel behind his front pile of logs!

 

My opening remark was "Do you have an electric motor?"

[Paul C]

Immersion heater for the water??? Or maybe there was a craking deal on 20 panels.

[John V]

Thanks very much for that Ken,

 

I am not too worried about the winter as we are always tucked up nice and cosy in our mud berth with shore power.

I think my problem will probably my lighting power consumption. When I was doing my fit out LED's were not really an option as they were then low powered a horrible light and very expensive. The most efficient lighting at the time was 240v folded fluorescent. so I have (without going and counting them all) 40 odd GX53 small disc fluorescent lamps (6w each).....Not all of them in use at the same time of course.

I worked out that it reduced my required size of battery bank by over 50%. compared with incandescent lamps.

240v LED equivalent lamps for those fittings are still hideously expensive as they are not common....of course I also chose a lamp type that didn't catch on.

 

It looks like I am going to have to spend a lot of money on the boat soon, Central heating, light fittings, more batteries and solar panels....Ouch!!!

[George94]

We met the owner of the above boat yesterday, He was coming up the Marple flight.

 

Yes there is an identical set of panels on the other side; the roof panels open up so they are double the roof area, and if you look closely you will see a massive panel behind his front pile of logs!

 

My opening remark was "Do you have an electric motor?"

 

And what was his reply? The whole world is dying to know.

[peterboat]

 

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of power do you get through a day on average?

I have a fairly high 240v useage but when not on shore power have 2 built in generators,

I am thinking of removing the bigger one which was a fairly big cockup as it is far too powerful for my needs ( I was originally considering electric storage heaters but I developed a little sense) It is on the same side as the battery room which has plenty of space for more batteries (presently 260 ah @ 24v) and would more than compensate for the weight on that side.

I would still keep the wing generator (6 Kva) for heavy use such as washing machine tumble dryer etc.

Hi John, I have a auto washer full size dishwasher full size 12v fridge freezer 2 flatscreen tvs all led/compact flouresents plus a compo loo which runs a computer fan 24/7. I run the lot through a 3000w inverter I also for the winter have a wispergen which runs central heating plus does 72 amps at 12v for 3.5 hours a day all works well

 

Peter

[Stubaby]

 

And what was his reply? The whole world is dying to know.

 

Aha!

 

He has just a normal diesel engine, (oh, and a generator.)

[George94]

 

Aha!

 

He has just a normal diesel engine, (oh, and a generator.)

Curiouser and curiouser.

 

Perhaps he's in a marina on a feed-in tariff.