--- In [email protected], Nigel Stanley <nigel.stan...@...> wrote: > > 2009/7/15 Bruce Napier <br...@...>: > > > > > > What an interesting and useful thread this has been! > > Indeed - and thanks to contributors. > > > > > When I referred to a three stage charger in my reply to Nigel, I was > > thinking of the shoreline scenario, leaving the boat permanently > > connected whilst it's sitting in the marina. > > That's not really an option for me, so it looks like solar would be > worth considering. > > Tony recommends 60w - Graham says 30w, though Graham clearly uses his > boat more than I do as mine does get left for long periods, > particularly over the winter, when it is not used. > > Any more opinions? > > And are there other specs other than the power output that are > meaningful for solar panels? > > Do they come with controllers? Or are they seperate? If so what should > one look for? > > And does anyone have specific recommendations? > > Lots of questions, but I suspect others are interested in the answers! > > -- > Nigel Stanley > nb Laura Colleen >
Some vendors might sell a panel & controller as a package but I would be suspicious of the quality/technology employed in such a controller. Normally you buy them separately. Join the Canal World forum and do a search on solar controllers because mine is a PCM controller but there is a more modern technology that makes better use of the available output so is better suited for horizontal panels. A 30 watt panel will deliver a fraction over 2 amps IF it is facing directly into the sun. Mine will deliver twice than. Now, I have never seen less than 5 amps charge from the alternator into 3 x 110Ah + 1 x 85Ah battery system so I wanted to get as close to that as I could to minimise the time the sulphate is left in the batteries. Hence my 60 watt panel. I would have gone for a larger one if I could have afforded it AND still been able to walk up the roof beside it. Beware of flexible and semi-flexible panels. I have seen the salt water boys raising questions about longevity of the plastics they make them from. Tony Brooks
