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

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Re: [Electric Boats] SOLAR & WIND NUMBERS

Capt Mike,

Thanks very much for the insight. This decision is getting easier.

Thanks again!
kps

--- On Sat, 7/31/10, Mike <biankablog@verizon.net> wrote:

From: Mike <biankablog@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] SOLAR & WIND NUMBERS
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010, 9:53 PM

Kevin:

I started with the Honda 2000 eu generator and a 48v Marine Air X wind generator. I added a solar panel the following year. If I were starting over I would do the generator and solar first. Actually the solar panel keeps things charged up enough that the wind generator is shutdown until sundown most of the time and the battery voltage drops back down to under 54 volts. I would recommend you start with the generator and solar. I can push my 30 foot 8 ton sailboat at 3 knots using the generator alone if I need too. I've been in some pretty rough conditions and found that the system always came through for me. I actually do more sailing and only use the electric propulsion when I really need it. Thanks to the group here I've learned a lot about Peukerts effect and always try and minimize current draw in order to not draw down the battery bank too rapidly. I will crank up the generator once the battery bank has dropped to the 80 to 90% range. I just found out that you actually need to draw down the battery bank a little bit when using the Zivan charger and generator. Otherwise the second stage charger pulses the Zivan (and I assume other three stage chargers) put out make the controller go into a protection mode. In the end I have never said to myself : Gee, I wish I still had the old diesel onboard.

Capt.Mike

http://biankablog. blogspot. com

n Fri, 7/30/10, kps657 <kps657@yahoo. com> wrote:

From: kps657 <kps657@yahoo. com>
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] SOLAR & WIND NUMBERS
To: electricboats@ yahoogroups. com
Date: Friday, July 30, 2010, 11:31 PM

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:
>
> Kevin:
>
> 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
>