I have a 50 watt panel and a Morningstar PWM controller. Max charge I have ever seen is a bit over 2 amps – 2.3 maybe. If you do not get a MPPT controller you will see at most maybe 4.5 amps out of a 100 watt panel. If you have good sun *and no shadows on the panel* I would guess you might get say 25-30 AH charge per day, or 275-360 watt-hours if you want calculate it that way. A good MPPT controller can nearly double those numbers. See https://www.morningstarcorp.com/solar-charge-controllers What you have to remember is that panels are rated at 18 volts. A 100 watt panel is putting out 5.5 amps max. 5.5 x 18 = 100. A cheap regulator just cuts down the voltage to say 14. 14x5.5=77 watts and cut a bit more for losses, nothing is 100%. So say maybe 60 watts out of a 100 watt panel MAX. The MPPT controllers are essentialy DC-DC battery chargers. They will use technology similar to an inverter to CHANGE 18 volts to 14, not cut it from 18-14, with minimal losses.
Joe Della Barba Coquina C&C 35 MK I www.dellabarba.com From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Dave S via CnC-List Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2020 1:28 PM To: C&c Stus List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Dave S <syerd...@gmail.com> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Stus-List Real world solar panel experience? - Great Lakes area Hello all, Need to replace my batteries and am contemplating an upgrade to Windstar's off-the-dock power system. Specifically evauating a battery upgrade and potential top-up-charging. Based on what I've read, a 100w panel would conservatively contribute 400-500w daily (average) in summer and be enough to help extend my "off the grid" time. I am on the North shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto area. Does anyone have any real-world data or experience with the actual charging capacity of a sailboat mounted solar panel? Would like to factor this into my decisions. Many thanks! Dave Windstar 33-2 https://cncwindstar.blogspot.com/2019/09/going-off-grid-charging-and-battery.html<https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=93d58b5a-cea6183b-93d5a22d-ac1f6b44e86e-b2c2e5fe6470b1e5&q=1&e=64780c79-b4ca-44fc-a723-8b1e01fd4ec7&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcncwindstar.blogspot.com%2F2019%2F09%2Fgoing-off-grid-charging-and-battery.html>
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