[Rhodes22-list] speaking of solar panels

[Bill Effros]

Hadz,

Power consumption meters will do all the calculations for you.  While 
they are expensive, they answer a lot of questions, and bring peace of 
mind.  They will ultimately save you a lot of money.

Solar panels actually do bring a lot to the party.  The consumption 
figures L. and Art are using--which you will see widely used 
elsewhere--are incorrect in real life.

The starter motors on large boats draw far more electricity out of 
batteries than an equivalent number of LEDs left burning for the same 
calculated number of Amp-Hours.

On our boats, motors with starters will put more electricity back into 
the battery than they consume.  Solar cells are all that are required to 
put electricity back into the batteries for lights, stereos,  and other 
incidental uses.  When you are cruising you will inevitably wind up 
using your motor a lot.  This will provide plenty of electricity for 
auto-pilots and lights.  Should the battery fail, all you need to do is 
pull the cord on our little motors to start them--you can't do that with 
big boats which is why they factor in so much for idiots--the running 
motor will provide the electricity you need for lights/autopilot/and 
bringing the batteries back up to fully charged levels.

One battery is all you really need on our boats almost all of the time.  
2 batteries are over-kill.  Top them off with solar panels most of the 
time.  Get an electric starting motor.  Your batteries should never run 
down if they are constantly topped off by solar panels.  Properly 
maintained batteries that are never fully discharged will last for more 
than 6 years.

Bill Effros

Joseph Hadzima wrote:
> Thanks elle & Art!
>
> I had assumed the pannel utilitiy was related both to
> consumpson, and latitude; and since you're also just above
> the 37th latitude, I appreciate your calculations.  
>
>
>
> --- "Arthur H. Czerwonky" <czerwonky at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>   
>> Elle,
>>
>> Excellent perspective on the panels.  They don't bring
>> much to the party.  I bought one of the LED utility
>> lights from Boaters World at the Annapolis - not bad at
>> all, and low power consumption.  I bought LED Xmas lights
>> before the holidays, for next year's boat parade in
>> Savannah possibly.  Five strings powered thru a 70 watt
>> inverter (the lights were a/c because the DC were sold
>> out) were no problem at all, plenty for 80' of big LED
>> bulbs.  The mfg will not comment on amp draw, but it must
>> be minescule.
>>
>> I really think the stability questions about the Rhodes
>> have been  overdone, therefore of concern to you, Hadz,
>> and others.  Each of us skipper has our own comfort
>> boundaries, and this remarkable craft has the ability to
>> adjust accordingly.  If you find the boat sensitive to
>> particular winds, it is so simple to trim either main or
>> genny.  Bill likes to stay level on the water in the LI
>> area, even with the ability to steer with weight
>> distribution.  Match that...
>>
>> I really don't think there is a boat to compare with
>> our's in any catagory except maybe competitive racing
>> with IMF.  
>>
>> I can't wait to read your first postings after you
>> receive yours.  We will hear the Oh's! and Ah's in
>> Atlanta, at Hartwell, and at Edenton without fail!  I can
>> bet you're ready to get underway.  If you are a little
>> short to see the bow, nary a problem because you will
>> just levitate.
>>
>> Many cheers,
>> Art
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>     
>>> From: elle <watermusic38 at yahoo.com>
>>> Sent: Jan 27, 2007 12:41 PM
>>> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] speaking of solar panels
>>>
>>> Hadz,
>>>   
>>>  Whether the solar panels can keep the batteries
>>>       
>> charged is a function of the no. of  amp hours used by
>> the goodies below.
>>     
>>>   
>>>  I don't have my estimated numbers with me (I'm at the
>>>       
>> marina working...!) but, for example, if you have 5
>> interior lights below and if each interior light  pulls
>> 1.5 amps/hr , you are using 7.5 amps per hour using all
>> lights. Or you could use 1 light for 7.5 hours. The solar
>> panels may provide approx. 1-2 amp hrs/day each in this
>> latitude (maybe a bit more when the days are longer &
>> fewer when the days become shorter)...so estimating
>> usage, and the knowing the % you can draw your batteries
>> down, I'd say don't count on the solar panels doing more
>> than to top 'em off.
>>     
>>>   
>>>  When I did some estimates the other day, I figured I
>>>       
>> could stay out 2-3 days (if sunny), bieng conservative in
>> use, and have to go in to recharge from shore power on
>> the 3rd day...more or less.
>>     
>>>   
>>>  elle
>>>   
>>>  
>>> Joseph Hadzima <josef508 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>  
>>> I was under the impression that solar panels worked best
>>> when they are set 90 degrees to the Sun. With the panels
>>> statically mounted on the Rhodes, are they sufficient at
>>> keeping the batteries charged during a typical weekend
>>> cruise, or are they more for: charging when you leave
>>>       
>> your
>>     
>>> boat tied at a mooring / slip during the week and sail
>>>       
>> on
>>     
>>> the weekend?
>>>
>>> I assume the latitude where you sail may affect the
>>> efficiency.
>>>
>>>       
>
>
> HADZ (a.k.a. joe)
>
> "That's what a ship is, you know. It's not just a keel and hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs. But what a ship is... is freedom." 
> -- Captain Jack Sparrow
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