Marine Solar Panels, Complete Solar Systems, and Lithium Iron Batteries
  • Home
  • Marine Solar Panels
    • Marine Solar Panels
    • Flexible Marine Solar Panels
    • Semi-Rigid Walk On Marine Solar Panels
    • Rigid Marine Solar Panels
    • Stern Rail Mounted Solar Panels
    • Kits - Solar System Kits
    • Van Solar Panels
    • Portable Solar Panels
  • Kits&Electronics
    • Kits - Solar System Kits >
      • Flexible Solar Panel Kits
      • Semi-rigid Solar Panel Kits
      • Rigid Solar Panel Kits
      • Auxiliary Solar Panel Kit
      • Portable Solar Panels
    • Solar Controllers & Electrical >
      • MPPT DuoRacer Dual Output Series
      • MPPT Tracer Series
      • MPPT Victron Smart Solar Series
      • MPPT Xtra-N Series
      • PWM Duo Dual Output Controller
      • Electrical Components
    • Mounting Systems >
      • Flexible Panel Mounting Systems
      • Semi-rigid Panel Mounting System
      • Rigid Panel Mounting System - Top Of Pole
    • Inverters
    • Outboard Motor Lifting Crane
    • Solar Water Heating System For Boats
    • Visit Our Store
  • Lithium Batteries
    • LiFePO4 Lithium Batteries
    • Portable Power Stations
  • Reviews & Installations
    • Reviews/Customer Comments
    • Gallery of Installations
  • System Design
  • Support
    • FAQ
    • Solar System Design & Installation
    • Manuals & Information
    • Solar System Installation Pointers
    • Troubleshooting
    • Contact Us
    • Solar System Installers
    • Battery Exchange Plus
    • Handy Products We Don't Carry
    • Freight Forwarders for International Shipping
    • About us
    • Call (248) 705-8337
    • Return Policy
    • Shipping Rates
    • Marine Solar Panel Sizing Calculator Tool
  • Blog

CMP 130 Watt Solar Panel Performance on a 22 Day Cruise

8/10/2011

0 Comments

 
The following is the result of testing the CMP130 watt monocrystalline solar panel with the top-of-pole mount and dual output controller cruising for 3 weeks in the North Channel of northern Lake Huron.  The panel mounting system is shown on our Gallery of Installations; the Ericson 38.  (Well, somebody has to do it. :-)   )

Test conditions:

  • The boat has two deep cycle wet cell battery banks; 240 amp hours and 120 amp hours.
  • The boat has holding plate refrigeration which draws 5 amps.  The weather was very warm so the frig compressor ran more than usual; 8+ hours a day.  The lap top computer was used for navigation and draws 5 amps.  Most lights are LEDs.
  • When motoring, the panel was usually disconnected from the controller so the smart regulator would get an accurate reading of the battery bank condition thus achieving max output from the alternator.
  • The dual bank controller shuts off power from the panel when the batteries are fully charged.  i.e. After 4 or more hours of motoring.
  • The Remote Display of the dual bank controller was used to collect all the data.
  • Our mode of cruising was to anchor for 2-4 days at a time and move on to another anchorage.  We did not dock and use shore power during the three week cruise.
  • The tilt angle of the panel was rarely changed; usually about 45 degrees.  The panel was rotated for optimum sun angle about 4 times per day.
Test results – raw data for solar panel output:

Date     Amp      Conditions of the day

            Hours

7-7        46     At dock, shore power on
7-8        39     Motored 4 hours, partly cloudy
7-9        17     Motored all day, cloudy tried solenoid
7-10     26     Cloudy, motored 1 hour, sun 5-6 hours
7-11     55     Mostly sunny, travel day – under sail
7-12     64     Mostly sunny, at anchor
7-13     79     Mostly sunny, at anchor, reset meter when rewired batteries
7-14     70     Mostly sunny, at anchor, panel not turned for part of the day
7-15     49     Cloudy morning, sunny afternoon, motored for 2 hours with solenoid on
7-16     51     Mostly sunny, motored 2 hours with solenoid on, topped off batteries
7-17     34     Mostly cloudy, at anchor all day
7-18     47     Mostly cloudy,  motored 2 hours
7-19     20     Hazy, cloudy, motored 2 hours
7-20     71     Sunny, at anchor
7-21     80     Sunny, at anchor
7-22     67     Mostly sunny, ran engine 1.5 hrs, topped off batteries
7-23     39     Mostly cloudy, at anchor
7-24     73     Mostly sunny, at anchor
7-25     68     Mostly sunny, at anchor
7-26     16     Hazy, cloudy, motored 4 hours, topped off batteries
7-27     26     Cloudy, hazy, motored 9 hours, batteries charged
7-28     42     Mostly sunny, motored 2 hours with panel connected, batteries charged

Analysis:

Definition: amp hour – amps produced or consumed in one hour

Average amp hours per day produced under various conditions:

Overall (22 days)                         54  amp hours
Sunny days at anchor                  71
Cloudy days at anchor                 37
All days at anchor                         62
Days engine was used                35


Max amp hrs for a day                 80
Min amp hrs for a day                  16

Max amps output                         10.5 amps

Conclusion:

The 130 watt panel generally met our power needs for the duration of the cruise.  We occasionally ran a small deficit of amp hours during an extended anchorage but never used the engine alternator to charge the battery banks except when motoring from place to place.   On days when the engine was used we often had an excess of power generation from the 75 amp alternator and the 130 watt solar panel.

The solar panel is very sensitive to cloudy days and to shadows.  The panel output on sunny days exceeded it rating.   This is the nature of mono-crystalline solar panels.

0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    130 Watt Solar Panel
    140 Watt Solar Panel
    150 Watt Solar Panel
    160 Watt Solar Panel
    Choosing A Solar Panel
    Crane
    Flexible Solar Panel
    Hoist
    Led Cabin Lighting
    Lifepo4 Marine Batteries
    Lift
    Lifting Davit
    Magnet Mounts
    Marine Led Lamps
    Marine Solar Panel
    Pole Mount
    Selecting The Right Leds
    Solar Controller
    Solar Generation
    Solar Generation Worksheet
    Solar Panel
    Solar Panel Controller
    Solar Panel Electrical
    Solar Panel Mount
    Solar Panel Mounting Kit
    Solar Panel Output
    Solar Panel Performance
    Solar Panel Pole Mount
    Solar Panels
    Solar Panel Size
    Solar Panel Wind Resistance
    Solar Water Heating System
    Top Of Pole Solar Panel
    Top-of-pole Solar Panel
    Top-of-pole Solar Panel Mount
    Wiring A Marine Solar System
    Wiring For A Solar Panel

    Author

    Thomas Trimmer has been cruising with his Ericson 38 sailboat on the Great Lakes for over 20 years.  He has pioneered the use of solar energy for wilderness cruising.  He is continually designing and building equipment to simplify and enhance the cruising experience.

    Archives

    March 2022
    November 2021
    April 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    February 2019
    September 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    April 2015
    October 2014
    May 2014
    October 2013
    August 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    September 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    August 2010
    August 2009
    March 2009
    January 2009

    RSS Feed

Efficiently Powering Your Vessel/Van. Call/email/chat any time, we're happy to help you work through designing your solar system.
Home Page  Solar Panels  Mounting Kits   Product Page  Marine Solar Systems   Gallery of Installations    Customer Comments    Contact Us
Call 248 705-8337 or email [email protected]
Article On How To Size Your Solar Panels For Your Boat
Customer Reviews   ​Return Policy  Privacy Policy Shipping Times/Rates
  • Home
  • Marine Solar Panels
    • Marine Solar Panels
    • Flexible Marine Solar Panels
    • Semi-Rigid Walk On Marine Solar Panels
    • Rigid Marine Solar Panels
    • Stern Rail Mounted Solar Panels
    • Kits - Solar System Kits
    • Van Solar Panels
    • Portable Solar Panels
  • Kits&Electronics
    • Kits - Solar System Kits >
      • Flexible Solar Panel Kits
      • Semi-rigid Solar Panel Kits
      • Rigid Solar Panel Kits
      • Auxiliary Solar Panel Kit
      • Portable Solar Panels
    • Solar Controllers & Electrical >
      • MPPT DuoRacer Dual Output Series
      • MPPT Tracer Series
      • MPPT Victron Smart Solar Series
      • MPPT Xtra-N Series
      • PWM Duo Dual Output Controller
      • Electrical Components
    • Mounting Systems >
      • Flexible Panel Mounting Systems
      • Semi-rigid Panel Mounting System
      • Rigid Panel Mounting System - Top Of Pole
    • Inverters
    • Outboard Motor Lifting Crane
    • Solar Water Heating System For Boats
    • Visit Our Store
  • Lithium Batteries
    • LiFePO4 Lithium Batteries
    • Portable Power Stations
  • Reviews & Installations
    • Reviews/Customer Comments
    • Gallery of Installations
  • System Design
  • Support
    • FAQ
    • Solar System Design & Installation
    • Manuals & Information
    • Solar System Installation Pointers
    • Troubleshooting
    • Contact Us
    • Solar System Installers
    • Battery Exchange Plus
    • Handy Products We Don't Carry
    • Freight Forwarders for International Shipping
    • About us
    • Call (248) 705-8337
    • Return Policy
    • Shipping Rates
    • Marine Solar Panel Sizing Calculator Tool
  • Blog