[C320-list] Solar panels

[Robert Seastream]

Four years ago, for $150 I bought the 18 watt ICP rigid solar panel  
from WM.  It lasted three years, then developed a crack, but still had  
output.  ICP said they wouldn't cover the crack, but if the output  
ever died, they'd honor the 10 year warranty.  They replaced it twice  
for me, for the same reasons, first it would  crack, then no output.   
They didn't want the panel or receipt, just took my word for it.  They  
must've had records from WM.  After the third panel died, I didn't  
bother again.  I think it cracked due to heat stress, they think it  
cracked due to lying it on the foredeck rather than mounting it to a  
flat surface.  I've thought of a system such as Lamar describes below  
(his panel is physically MUCH more robust), but went the upgraded  
alternator route, supplemented with a Honda generator.  The generator  
is used around the household in the off season.  If you just want one  
for trickle charging, pay the extra bucks (for a given output) and go  
with the flexible panels.  Anything that'll put out about an amp  
(12-15 watts) is fine, but will cost you around $300.  Run the wire  
from the forward battery into the V berth, and out the hatch (you can  
close it on the wire) and you'll be fine.  In other news, today was  
splash day, woohoo!

Bob Seastream
Intuition # 906


On May 22, 2009, at 7:33 PM, Lamar Desmond wrote:

> We mounted our solar panel on the crossbar of our Garhauer dingy  
> davits.
> It's out of the way and typically not blocked from the sun.  We got  
> a 65watt
> Kyocera from www.e-marine-inc.com  I'm considering upgrading our  
> charge
> controller to a MPPT like the Solar Boost 2512i to squeeze a little  
> more out
> of the panel.
>
> -Lamar
> Blue Moon #358
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jane &  
> Ken
> Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 5:52 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Solar panels
>
> Warren,
>    The location of the solar panel above the sea hood is excellent,  
> in 15
> years we have had no problem and when on the hook for a week-- 
> running the
> refrig. we had enoufg left in the two 4D batteries to get the perkins
> started 200 yards out of the slip for an easy return.
>    If the current panel stops working ( it is not performing up to
> specs--but still putting out current after 15 years) I will replace  
> it with
> whatever will fit in the space that the original solar charger
> occupied.      The HUBBLE telescope worked longer than expected!!!!
> Ken,  #219  O'BUOY
> --- On Fri, 5/22/09, warren updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>