My next item on my list of products is to buy and install a solar panel. I'm feeling inadequate in this department. I read the specs on the panels and I'm bewildered.
.
I currently have a 50 watt panel that is mounted above the wind vane of the Monitor self-steering. I also have an inexpensive pulse width controller that can handle 7 amps, and that limits battery voltage to 13.8 I figure that it makes 1/3 to 1/2 of our power needs at anchor. A calculation of our needs says that we should have 120w at 25 degrees latitude or 180W at latitude 45.
I'm looking to replace it or to supplement the existing panel. I figure that next year I can replace the controller with a MPPT controller.
Sunelec.com out of Miami has long had the best prices around (under $1/watt), but recently they seem to have shifted to selling pallet lots only.
I would really appreciate it if a blog reader would volunteer to consult with me on this purchase dickandlibbymills@gmail.com
Thanks,
Dick
Posts
Personally, I'm going to wait until these babies are on the market in a size suitable for use on the boat.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dvice.com/archives/2012/10/spinning-solar.php