My charge controller is a Pro-30 by Morningstar. It does not do MPPT like the newer charge controllers but is very adequate for my home use.
Most boats in the Eastern Caribbean have solar panels. The few trawlers that are down there the majority have panels. My neighbor in a couple of anchorages has six panels on a Nordhavn 46 and hasn't run his generator in years. Another Nordhavn 46 which is now completing a circumnavigation has covered his pilot house roof with panels and has also installed them on the side rails. He survived quite well on solar power.
Marty
Have you seen the ProStar go into equalize mode? Reading the book it indicates it does this every 25 days. I have tried to duplicate this using a power supply as the Solar input, powering it up/down 25 times. No such luck.I too have a ProStar-30 by Morningstar. As a bit of data:
275 watts on 3 panels
I'm at the 29th parallel (FL/GA border)
The highest incoming I've seen is 17.01 amps this past summer. This time of year I'm seeing 14.
It's 1715 right now and sunny; the meter shows 3.3 amps incoming.
The Morningstar30 is a strange beast though. When my batteries are full before it goes into HVD (High Voltage Disconnect) it will lessen the amount of amperage going to the batts. When I turn on something the incoming will almost double. Just an aside.
I like that the regulator is visible -- and having a couple extra volt meters wired in (one by my bunk and the other in the galley) allows me to see the state of my batteries with ease. Yes, I've got the BlueStar meter analog but the switch isn't functional. BlueSeas did send a new switch but I've not yet installed it. Such is life.
Janice aboard Seaweed
Janice aboard Seaweed welcomes you to my world...
That's the whole point, isn't it. I don't have a gen but wish I did. Just for the piece of mind I'd have if I ever get stuck in the Bay and Boat U.S. has cancelled my tow contract.I'd love to do without it, but the genset gives a level of backup security that I'm not ready to abandon.
Have you seen the ProStar go into equalize mode? Reading the book it indicates it does this every 25 days. I have tried to duplicate this using a power supply as the Solar input, powering it up/down 25 times. No such luck.
I have asked Morningstar how the Algorithm works, no response yet.
I will be measuring and planning the panel layout this weekend. My plan is to use the Sunsei glue on mounts. I hope to have final panel quotes next week.
Port, in the situation you describe, I would recommend both. The wind is also free, and usually it is doing it's job when the sun is not. I have both, so do have some experience here...however, if a wind genny is difficult to mount, then you need more panels.Guys
Having read the above, reamains a question. If you cannot afford a marina and decide to live on a hook, what system is more reliable to charge your bateries in order to have power for the bilge pumps, the solar pannels or the wind mill? Have in consideration that you plenty of both sources, wind and Sunlight
Thanks
One thing to be aware of is pollen on the panels, or any sort of splat (think pelicans) so occasionally take a look and rinse them off. I dry mine too and clean with rubbing alcohol -- same thing I use on the windows as it's easy and doesn't streak. [Side note: some rubbing alcohol is 50% by volume -- look for the 90% stuff.]The nice thing about the hard panels is that you install them and forgot them. They just crank out the amps without maintenance.
For those of you that haven't gone to Janice's site yet, it's a real eye opener! Not only is this gal a wonderful example of the pioneering spirit, she's technically savvy too! When I feel a little down, for whatever reason, I think of Janice hauling fresh water back to her boat. Now that's humbling.This retirement thing takes a lot of time, eh?