[Rhodes22-list] speaking of solar panels

[Bud]

I agree with Bill on having an electric start w/ a charging circuit.
The Yamaha 9.9 generator will put out 70watts when the motor
is running, which will charge your battery in a hurry - faster than
a solar panel.  Though what I wonder about ... If the battery is
already charged up, and I run the motor for 1/2 and hour, what
are those 70watts doing to my battery?  Is my battery starting to
get cooked??

For the bigger solar panels, you can get an "overcharging protection" 
circuit.

-Bud (at 28.1 north)



Bill Effros wrote:

> 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
>> __________________________________________________
>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>
>>   
>
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>