[Rhodes22-list] speaking of solar panels

Bill Effros bill at effros.com
Sun Jan 28 18:57:02 EST 2007


Bud,

Your Yamaha also has an "overcharging protection" circuit.

Bill Effros

Bud wrote:
> 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
>>>
>>>   
>>
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>>
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