Ours is a completely different boat and setup, but perhaps some of this will help in some way:
Callisto is a 35 mk2 with a solar "arch" over the aft of the cockpit built by PO. Recently modified by me to reduce weight (remove extra i-beams) and balance the load by rotating the panels 90 deg and positioning in the centre, just aft of the backstay (approx 6' above cockpit) - 1x 100w + 1x 55w solar panels are rigid aluminum framed, old, large (above 55"x34" total) and heavy, but work well - 4x 6V golf cart batteries in two banks, no starting battery - fridge is a 12/120V unit circa 1993 which uses a reported 4A @ 12V, haven't confirmed with a meter, and has been running 24x7 for about 3 weeks with no issues, sometimes 4-5 days between engine starts, but weather has been mainly sunny, and even cloudy days are enough to charge batteries at this time of year with over 15 hrs of sun. - minimal loads otherwise except charging tablet/laptop/phone, stereo and mostly LED lights Our panel voltage has dropped as low as 12.5V at the end of a cloudy day, but is always back up to 12.8V+ soon after the sun is up. So far no issues with engine starting, although I know deep cycle are not ideal for this (rated at only 107CCA each battery; original automotive engine spec is 650CCA), I spread the load across all 4 batteries, and the engine starts on first crank always (VW 1.6L 4cyl diesel), so most significant load is the glow plugs for about 10 seconds at 60A. After messing with the inj. pump once and losing fuel prime (self priming pump but can take 30 secs or more), I did notice that the batteries don't like cranking the starter for too long, so this is something I need to be careful with. Dodgers aren't ideal for solar panels due to the shade from the boom and sail, but if this is the only place you have to start with, a small flexible panel of 50-75W should provide enough for battery maintenance if your loads are low. If you're thinking of adding more later, going with a panel of a common size and make might make it easier to match up later to avoid oddball sizes/shapes. We will be heading out for 3+ weeks next month when weather will be much warmer, so I'll know more then how well the system keeps up and if I need more batteries or panels. Since I have dual 65A alternators, if we move under power at least every other day for at least a short while (enough to motor in/out of anchorage and run the windlass), that should help keep the batteries topped up also. -- Shawn Wright shawngwri...@gmail.com S/V Callisto, 1974 C&C 35 https://www.facebook.com/SVCallisto On Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 1:40 PM dwight veinot via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > Man you got lots of available amps hours in those batteries. If you need > more power consider carrying a little Honda 2000 watt generator and a > gallon of gasoline > > On Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 5:29 PM kelly petew via CnC-List < > cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > >> Hello, Listers, >> >> I want to add a solar panel to keep my batteries more fully charged. >> >> But on a 30 ft. C&C, space is somewhat limited. >> >> >> >> For starting out, I want the smallest panel possible for battery >> maintenance, but I’d beef up the wiring to handle future power demands. >> >> My house battery bank is 12volt DC, two 130 amp hour, deep cycle, >> wet-cells, in parallel. My other bank is a hybrid deep cycle [80 amp >> hours], used for starting. >> >> I’ve studied YouTube and other sources. Also, I’ve tried to contact a >> west coast mfr., Renogy, but I can’t reach anyone there, as yet. >> >> >> >> Any and all feedback is much appreciated. >> >> >> >> Fair Winds, >> >> >> >> Pete W. >> >> Siren Song >> >> ‘91C&C 30-2 >> >> Deltaville, Va. >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each >> and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - >> use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> >> -- > Sent from Gmail Mobile > _______________________________________________ > > Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each > and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - > use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > >
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