Re: Stus-List Solar panels

[Dr. Mark Bodnar]

I keep a small cheap solar panel on my boat during the summer. My alternator on my outboard is not functioning - so that is the only charge for my batteries.  With only day sailing and the rare overnight it seems to keep battery in good shape - but obviously mine battery is not really challenged running a radio and VHF a few hrs per week. Regarding Marek's comment on MaineSail - I just stumbled across a post of his on Sailboat Owners forum. http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=156220 He was testing a battery for winter discharge - found after 2 months the battery did great with no extra charge in cold weather. He then forgot about it - didn't re-check until after a 9mo - hot Maine summer, but the battery was still in very good condition.  Sounds like fully charged but disconnected is a good option. Mark --------------------- Dr. Mark Bodnar B.Sc., D.C., FCCOPR(C) Bedford Chiropractic www.bedfordchiro.ca --------------------- There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval. - George Santayana On 26/09/2013 10:10 PM, Marek Dziedzic wrote: Rich,   I +1 the PowerFilm solar panels. I bought a 21W panel and a two-battery controller  (Morningstar) from Defender this spring and the system worked quite well over the summer. The panel was installed over a bimini (you can tie it or use snaps (like the ones for the dodger)).   I believe that flexible ones are better (same thing as Edd says).   Make sure that you buy a good controller; this is what makes or breaks the system. You may want to read Maine Sail’s musings on controllers and how they affect the charging time.   The Genasun is supposedly one of the better ones, though i am quite happy with the Morningstar.   Good luck   Marek (in Ottawa).   ___________________________________________________ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 12:42:56 -0400 From: Edd Schillay <e...@schillay.com>    To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Re: Stus-List Solar panels Message-ID: <5773b53a-3b21-4af5-8589-cc51c5bdd...@schillay.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Rich, I've installed a PowerFilm solar panel on the Enterprise years ago along with a two-battery regulator. I think the flexible panels are best because the solid ones tend to crack and break. The panel sits on top of my companionway hatch during the warmer months but I move it to a southern exposure angle during the winter so snow won't pile up on it. PowerFilm link: http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1%7C328%7C2290044%7C2290048&id=1206968 Controler / Regulator Link: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C328%7C2290044%7C2290047&id=1802202 All the best, Edd Edd M. Schillay Starship Enterprise C&C 37+ | Sail No: NCC-1701-B City Island, NY Starship Enterprise's Captain's Log Web _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com

_______________________________________________
This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album
http://www.cncphotoalbum.com
CnC-List@cnc-list.com