[C320-list] Solar Power

[Timothy Grennan]

Hey to All,
  I just installed an 85 watt rigid Kyocera solar panel with charge controller to an auxilliary bow mounted to my bimini top. I haven't got pictures yet but when I do I'll upload to the web site. I've been on two long weekend cruises and the panel keeps up with my power needs(approx. 35 amps per day). I keep my boat in a marina but haven't been plugged in for a month with the fridge running. So far I am very pleased with the output.
   
  Tim G.

Jeffrey Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
  Hi Guys,

Finding good flexible solar panels right now is a chore.

First, for the bad news... Flexible solar panels are very hard to find,
and many are not in production at all this year. Factories re-tooled to
produce volume high end non-flexible panels. The ones you do find are
probably way overpriced. Rigid solar panels are harder to store and easier
to break.

I paid somewhere around $95 + shipping for a UniSolar (USF/FLX11W) for mine
3 years ago. Price has probably doubled since then.

The panel I recommend is either the UniSolar USF11 (11Watt) or USF32
(32Watt) flexible panel. It lays smoothly over your Dodger, deck or bimini
top and provides a great boost. When you don't need it, it'll slide right
under the dinette settee, or the port side settee cushion. Has large
grommets in the corners to let you attach it in all sorts of ways.

They are very well built, can be walked/danced on and don't need any special
wiring to use. With the 32W version, you may want a small charge controller
to prevent overcharging if you leave it plugged in for weeks on end. The 11W
version doesn't need a controller.

-Jeff





> ----- Original Message -----
> From: C320-List-bounces
> Sent: 05/28/2006 09:09 AM
> To: C320-List 
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Solar Power
>
> I keep my boat on a mooring and have not been happy with battery 
> performance and so have been wondering the same thing. What we need 
> is for one of the electrically savvy to design the ideal setup for 
> people who rarely "plug in" but still want to use their house banks 
> for things like refrigeration, lights, etc.
>
> Tim wrote:
>> Any good experiences installing a solar panel? Going to be mooring my 
>> 320 and want to make sure the batteries stay fresh or is there a 
>> better solution? thnx !
>>
>> 
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>
>
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