[Rhodes22-list] Rhodes Solar Panel Make Capacity
Caesar Paul
caesarpaul01 at yahoo.com
Tue Mar 30 14:16:24 EDT 2010
Chris, Rob, Bob, List
Stan answered my specific question.
I got the information that I was seeking. I now know more about solar panels than I knew before.
You guys appear to have different wiring set up, and they all seem to work well.
I have both paper and electronic charts for the San Juan area. When the battery which ran my GPS died, I knew where I was, and I had my paper chart as a backup. As a "green horn" my admiral and I had been monitoring both charts, and noting the differences between charts and reality. Looking across miles of water from your cockpit to a land mass which represents many islands is different and can be a bit disconcerting to a rookie. So when my battery died, the idea of current going in while current is coming out became more attractive to me, especially if you are away from shore power for days.
Bob: thanks for sharing. I like the outcome you are enjoying.
Chris and Rob: good information.
I will not install a panel that detracts from the beauty and uniformity of the boat.
Again, you guys have been most helpful.
Caesar
________________________________
From: Chris Cowie <ccowie at cowieassociates.com>
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Mon, March 29, 2010 12:23:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Rhodes Solar Panel Make Capacity
Caesar:
Stan would probably be more than willing to sell you the exact make, model and capacity solar panel he has designed to fit the R22 if you want to purchase it from him. I don't know the make or model. The following might help understand the capacity. Our panels are on the small side and provide a trickle charge that is not sufficient to supply a continued demand but can do a good job topping off between use.
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/SolarPanels.htm
How do they work? To be brief, energy from the sun's light strikes the solar panels crystals knocking some electrons loose and creating electricity. Each solar cell in a panel creates a potential of about .45 volts. To create a voltage sufficient to charge a 12 volt battery, 34 to 36 cells are connected in series to produce 15 to 17 volts. The amount of current a panel is capable of producing is proportional to the area of each cell. Larger cells produce more electricity: 6" cells = 7.1 amps, 5" cells = 5 amps, 4" cells = 3.1 amps.
How much output can I expect from a solar panel? We use a basic design rule that a solar panel will contribute about 30% to 35% of its wattage in amp-hours each day if the panel is directed toward the sun. This means that an 80 watt solar panel can be expected to produce approximately 24 to 28 amp-hours per day when aimed at the sun.
Christopher P. Cowie
4400 MacArthur Blvd, NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20007
202.342.2711
202.342.2691 fax
202.270.1470 mobile
[ccowie at cowieassociates.com]
cowieassociates.com
-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Caesar Paul
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 1:41 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Rhodes Solar Panel Make Capacity
Chris, Rob, Stan, and List:
Thanks for the help, and information given so far.
Chris: your solar panel looks very much like mine. Do you know the make, model,charging capacity of your panel?
The information I"m seeking, and the responses I'm getting, which I'm thankful for, reminds me of a similar episode on this list.
Remember that Rhodes 22 that reportedly sank at its slip under the load of ice and snow. Stan got all kinds of responses, but none that answered his specific question.
Could it be that even Stan is committing the same, what to call it, error in my attempt at learning more about the make, model, and capacity of the solar panel on my recycled Rhodes 22 purchased from Stan a little under 2 years ago.
In anticipation of your help, thanks.
Caesar
________________________________
From: Chris Cowie <ccowie at cowieassociates.com>
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Mon, March 29, 2010 8:21:06 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Rhodes Solar Panel Make Capacity
Caesar:
Enclosed are two photos that show the solar panel arrangement Stan provided for my 2009 boat. I have two solar panels, one port and one starboard, and two batteries, one house and one starter. I keep my battery switch to both while at the slip so that the two panels trickle charge both batteries. 2009 was my first season sailing and I don't have a battery charger and didn't need one during my 30 or so day sails and 6 overnight trips. I don't use too much power and find that the solar panels combined with my 20 minutes of outboard charging in and out of the harbor provides keeps my batteries in pretty good shape. Ultimately I would like to add a tiller pilot and at that point might want a charger and xantrax battery monitor but that's not in this year's budget.
Christopher P. Cowie
4400 MacArthur Blvd, NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20007
202.342.2711
202.342.2691 fax
202.270.1470 mobile
[ccowie at cowieassociates.com]
cowieassociates.com
-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Lowe, Rob
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 10:03 AM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Rhodes Solar Panel Make Capacity
Caesar,
Can't tell you make and model of solar panel.
Doubt one panel would keep up with both batteries. Actually visited Stan this past weekend. He says one panel charges house battery and one the starter battery.
If you want the same panel, order one from Stan. Then you'll know it will match. - rob
-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Caesar Paul
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 1:29 PM
To: Rhodes List
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Rhodes Solar Panel Make Capacity
Hi All,
My 1986 recycled 2008 Rhodes 22 came with one Solar Panel, and and it has kept the one battery it is connected to, topped off.
What is the make and capacity of the Solar Panel on our boat? Can the one Solar Panel keep both batteries topped off if I connect them in Parallel?
Where can I find a similar solar panel? They say two hands (panels) are better than one.
It would be good to know the make and capacity of my Solar Panel. I can find no markings on mine, may have faded over the years.
The second battery my GPS is connected to died on me while on our San Juan Cruise last year. I was not motoring enough to keep that battery fully charged.
Thanks,
Caesar
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