After struggling with this concept for a while now I am pleased to announce we have finally got it all together, (pretty much) and are looking forward to heading out next week on our first extended cruise around Florida. It's been a challenge to say the least and it's not completely done yet, but what project ever really is. However we feel like we're ready enough to take a break from all the construction to get out and have some fun for a while and we'll keep improving things as time passes.
With 5 kW of panels mounted now and an ability to crudely track the sun during the day we can produce about 100amps at 48V continuously in full sun. Our testing has shown the boat, (all 20 tons) runs pretty strong at 80 amps (about 4.4 mph) so that leaves us plenty of extra incoming juice to keep our batteries charged for overnight house power when we stop. At full trottle, (140 amps)we can almost make 5 knots but the batteries don't last very long at that rate. We also have a Quick Charge 15 amp battery charger we can run with a Honda EU2000 if we get caught with our electrons down.
The original 50 year old, 38 hp diesel is also still in place (and running well) to fall back on in an emergency or if we're in a hurry and the sun is not shining but we're not in a hurry so our plan is to stay electric except in an emergency.
Thanks to all the contributors on this sight for the wealth of info that passes thru here. It made the build a lot easier.
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