T-Pain Is On A Boat: Re: [Electric Boats] SOLAR & WIND NUMBERS

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Re: [Electric Boats] SOLAR & WIND NUMBERS

Kevin- another item that does not have a simple answer.

I use Lifeline AGM's which are supposedly good for 1000 recharge cycles.

There is a new battery from Australia that some of the sailing folks are using that claims 3000+ cycles.

Many of the off the shelf lead acid are much less.

Add to that whether you draw down less than 40%, types of charges etc and you have so many variables that there is no simple answer.

I have had my Lifelines for 3 year now. I am using mine in an Electric powered launch with a 5 HP electric submersible.

My sister is in the process of evaluating option for her 45 cat that she and her husband are building. Being in Australia they are looking long and hard at the Aussie batteries but still have not decided.

On Jul 31, 2010, at 6:23 PM, Kevin Sweeney wrote:

Thanks Sam.

How long have you had an electric solution? Do you have a sense at what the recurring expense looks like over time in having to replace the batteries?

Thanks!
Kevin

--- On Sat, 7/31/10, Samuel Shallard <sshallard@maine.rr.com> wrote:

From: Samuel Shallard <sshallard@maine.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] SOLAR & WIND NUMBERS
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010, 3:47 PM

I really don't have any sage advice to offer.
From what I have read my guess is that you will be just fine.
Based on my own experience I like to be able to monitor what amps I am pulling and the voltage of my bank at all times.
I think it you have that capability you can more readily make judicious decisions on when you run the electric and for how long.
On Jul 30, 2010, at 7:31 PM, kps657 wrote:

Thanks Capt Mike,

I am still conflicted. I have only a mooring in Marblehead, MA. The electric option feels like it will serve the bulk of my needs - primarily day sailing. My issue is for the vacation trip or long weekend and having to rely solely on turbine and panels for recharge.
My sloop is only 30ft with a displacement of 8500lbs. I have a paranoia that electric will meet 90% of my needs and wont be there when I need it most. Am I nit picking?

Then I think about adding a genset. I am very confused and need to decide shortly as I have a fresh hole where my old MD 7 once puffed.

Thanks!
kps

--- In electricboats@ yahoogroups. com, "Capt. Mike" <biankablog@. ..> wrote:
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> Kevin:
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> I sail most of the time in salt water. Though I have taken the boat to canada in the diesel days in fresh water. I'm very happy with my system and performance. I am just about to add a second 48 volt panel which will just about complete my installation plans.
>
> Capt. Mike
> Sent from on board BIANKA
> http://biankablog. blogspot. com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kevin Sweeney <kps657@...>
> Sender: electricboats@ yahoogroups. com
> Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:40:40
> To: <electricboats@ yahoogroups. com>
> Reply-to: electricboats@ ...: Re: [Electric Boats] SOLAR & WIND NUMBERS
>
> Do you sail lake or salt? Are you satisfied with your choice?
> thanks
> kps
>
> --- On Sun, 7/25/10, Capt. Mike <biankablog@. ..> wrote:
>
> From: Capt. Mike <biankablog@. ..>
> Subject: [Electric Boats] SOLAR & WIND NUMBERS
> To: "ELECTRIC BOAT GROUP" <electricboats@ yahoogroups. com>
> Date: Sunday, July 25, 2010, 9:47 AM
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> I thought I'd share with the group some real world experience with the solar and wind charging systems on my boat. It will give you an idea of what to expect. I needed to drop off the mooring and head to the dock for water and supplies.
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> After returning to the mooring I had used according to the XBM battery monitor 5.5 amp hours. The capacity had dropped to 96%. It was around 2PM. There was no real wind so charging for most of the afternoon was primarily via the 60 watt solar panel. In the evening a line of thunder storms came through. The Marine AirX wind generator kicked in about 1 to 1.5 amps only in the higher gusts. After the storms passed the wind died again. The next day there again was no wind. So charging was again primarily solar. By 4pm about 26 hours after I returned to the mooring the XBM was registering 99.5% capacity. I hope this helps when thinking about adding solar and wind charging systems.
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> Capt. Mike
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> Sent from on board BIANKA
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> http://biankablog. blogspot. com
>