Fantastic setup James. I'm just ordering my electric engine and batteries so I'm at the beginning stages of my install. Afterwards we're planning a full enclosure on the cockpit which will serve as the platform for our panels which we hope to have before next summer. Do you know how much power the solar tracking will consume? Also I wonder if anybody's experimented with solar tracking moving mirrors or other reflective materials against a non-moving panel?
Hi Roland,We made the front cover of the ABYC magazine "The Reference Point" with a picture of Kapowai with the new solar array. I will send a link to this article in a separate post later.Windage is an issue with any solar array. The idea with this array is that you can keep it horizontal for less windage, even when the boat is heeling over.We plan to add solar tracking which would be turned on once the boat is at the anchorage. We have the parts, just need to install and test them. We also plan to develop tracking to horizontal as well for different sea states. So far I haven't noticed any real windage issue and have been out in 20 knots of wind, with the panel horizontal and the boat sailed well.Its not unlike a bimini where people are mounting the twin Sanyo's, its just a little higher in the air so when it is tilted down it isn't in the way.We also replaced the back stay with twin back stays further forward on the boat, plus trimmed the last one foot of the boom to give clearance there as well.It is controlled by a dual axis joystick in the cubby hole next to the boat throttle. It is driven by a worm-gear motor, chain driving a sprocket attached to the pole, all sleeved in delrin bearings.It is so nice to be able to come to the boat at any time and not have to unplug the shorepower or deal with the shorepower cord at all. Keeping the boat off the grid without the problems of the AC ground wire is an added bonus.The fact that we can be completely energy independent with our electric boats is a huge benefit.In full sun, the boat can solar motor at very close to 3 knots, and motor sailing is often 2 to 3 knots faster depending on the sum of all conditions. New panels by Sunpower are capable now of 490 watts from this design.JamesPropulsion MarineOn Jul 31, 2012, at 10:46 PM, Roland Rodriguez wrote:Fantastic. Have you noticed any issues when sailing with that solar mount? It seems like it would catch a lot of wind in heavier weather. Sure looks like it would catch a lot of sunshine up there too!Thanks for sharing.Rolands/v Miss Teak
Sent from my iPadHi All,
I thought you might enjoy this new video that we took on Kapowai with Jean-Michell. Many of the benefits of electric propulsion are explained.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgH5EW7Zngo&feature=plcp
Kapowai has now been unplugged for 8 months!
Complete energy independence and she is always ready to go!
Solar Power is not only a very potent source of energy, it is an AGM's batteries best friend. The batteries are now going on 7 years old and are in great shape. The daily voltage bump without staying on float all day is the answer.
Cheers,
James
Propulsion Marine
www.propulsionmarine.com
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