Hi Rob,
I've used a Torqeedo outboard (and since installing it have become a dealer for them) and lithium batteries with solar as the main energy source. I also have a wind generator and Honda for emergencies.
The charge controller I use is a Xantrex C40 (other vendors have similar devices) which is a load diversion style controller and is suited to multiple charging sources. And cute thing about it is that by using a water heating element as the diversion load I get hot water whenever the batteries are full and there's leftover power.
I'd encourage you to consider lithium batteries, such as those from either Winston (was Thundersky) battery or CALB (was Sky Energy) which are chinese makers of these cells, and which need some time for setup of a battery managements system, or purpose built marine lithium batteries such as from Torqeedo.
In my calculations, based on Australian prices, the chinese lithium batteries are about the same cost as good quality AGM batteries, and offer substantial advantages particularly for a load sensitive solar powered yacht.
The weight will be about a third of that of a comparable AGM pack. And on a trimaran this can be important.
The losses in charging and discharge are near enough to zero, compared with lead acid cells which have a loss of around 15 to 30%. This means you need 15 to 30 % less solar panels for the same energy harvest. So its useful to consider this cost saving when comparing battery prices.
Another advantage is that they are tolerant of low state of charge which can easily happen on a solar powered boat during extended rainy and overcast periods. Lithium cells can be discharged to low levels without harm. And even then their expected life cycles is way better than lead acid cells discharged to only 50%.
I hope this helps, and good luck with your project,
Cheers
Chris
On 31/05/2011, at 10:55 AM, roblanford wrote:
Hey all. I am just restarting a rebuild project on my 34' Sailing trimaran. Have been looking around at several vendors for a conversion kit and am pretty well sold on the electric yachts 180ibl. Will go with AGM batteries, wind generator, solar, Honda portable, and a folding prop. The boat will be used for full time cruising hence the added power source choices. I also intend to use a 48v/12v converter for all the house loads.
I would like to know if anybody has set up a battery bank charging system and charged from multiple sources at the same time? I envision being under sail taking advantage of the regen ability, and charging from the wind generators and solar panels.
I was also thinking about an electric outboard for the inflatable but I have not researched that much yet.
Thanks for any input and advice.
Rob
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