This was the second year we used the 160 Watt solar panel on a 35 day cruise in the North Channel area of Northern Lake Huron. The boat equipment and cruising pattern was essentially the same as last year (See prior blog entries). The solar panel performance was comparable to last year with a few minor exceptions. The data comparing the performance of the 160 Watt panel during 2013 and 2014 and the 140 Watt panel in 2012 is displayed below.
Average amp hours per day produced under various conditions: 140 Watt, poly 160 Watt, mono 160 Watt, mono 2012 2013 2014 Overall average output per day 53 amp hours 48 amp hours 48 amp hours Sunny days 69 71 69 Mostly sunny days 50 50 56 Mostly cloudy days 35 37 39 Cloudy days 32 28 20 Avg. Output on days at anchor 62 61 51 Avg. Output when engine was used 43 44 45 (We had more cloudy days at anchor this year) Min amp hrs for a day 27 28 4 Max amp hrs for a day 74 77 76 Max amps output 10.5 amps 11.5 amps 11.4 amps This data is intended to provide a general idea of what to expect from the marine solar panels under various conditions. The two primary variables are the amount of sunshine and the running of the engine (the alternator charges the batteries so the controller shuts the panels down). The test boat was running a freezer/refrigerator drawing 5 amps running 6 hours a day, LED lighting, laptop computer drawing 4 amps running 3 hours a day, radios drawing 3 amps running 8 hours a day, and instruments and autopilot when under sail and power. When at anchor on a sunny to mostly sunny day our batteries were at full charge by 2 PM so we usually had excess power.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
AuthorThomas 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
July 2024
|