[C320-list] Solar bimini

[Greg Flanagan]

I installed a 140W solar panel on my Bimini with a GoPower 30 amp regulator. This was extremely easy to do. This panel gives a theoretical 10 amps @ 14V. I have seen it as high as 9 amps. This has proved fantastic and I strongly recommend it. I have 2 X 2d batteries for the house and a separate starter battery in the aft cockpit locker. This battery (marine Diehard) has a shutoff in the aft berth. When I shut the engine seacock I shut the battery off so I don't start it without water. I shut off both these when the boat is idle for any length of time. This battery is charged by an Xantrex Echo charger. The shore charger is a Charles 5000 30 amp unit. The Alternator (Yanmar engine) is 60 amp.

I have just replaced the house battery (flooded). These were 6 years old and one went into thermal overdrive due to a dead cell. I replaced with 2X 2d AMG sealed units by FullRiver. I am currently installing a Balmar Smartgauge so I have a better idea of the state of charge on these when I am sailing/anchoring for extended periods, with only the solar charge. I can report on this meter after some use.

Hoop Dancer #1076

Greg 
Sidney, BC 

> On Apr 29, 2015, at 1:10 PM, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com> wrote:
> 
> I'm tired of having to replace batteries every few years due to poor charging, primarily because Surprise spends most of her time off the grid (on a mooring (when idle), anchored (when cruising), or in the boatyard (winter) and so rarely gets a full recovery charge. I'm thinking of modifying my ancient bimini or buying a new one so that I can have some of the newer types of solar panels built in or attached to the fabric. Is anyone on the list experienced with this kind of setup? An example (and one recommended by a local canvas shop) is here: http://www.bruceschwab.com/solar-power/solbian-flex-high/
> 
> A related question: What's the best way for bringing wiring down the backstay and into the boat? I need something that is weatherproof, not highly vulnerable to UV degradation, and removable at the end of the season when the bimini comes off. (Ideally I would have some kind of connector arrangment that would let me replace the bimini solar panel with a smaller one for battery maintenance over the winter.
> 
> Scott Thompson
> Surprise, #653
>