Wind & Solar

[Trim50]

I'm planning to place 450-500 Watts of solar on my boat and possibly 400 Watts of wind. Does anyone have any recommendations for panels or wind generators?

[MMNETSEA]

Hi Ken,

On solar Panels - Rigid and Flexible - I dragged these URLS out of my data base :-

http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/

http://www.oksolar.com/

http://www.uni-solar.com/

http://www.powerstream.com/

http://www.avasolar.com/

http://www.siliconsolar.com/

http://www.affordable-solar.com/

http://www.icpsolar.com/

http://store.altenergystore.com/

http://www.solarpanelsaustralia.com.au/

http://www.sailgb.com/

I have got some on wind generators which I will look for later.

Richard

[Trim50]

Thanks for the links Richard!

I'm presently considering two Kyocera 200W (26V) panels for the top of the bemini and three GE 50 W (17.4V) panels for the top of the dodger. Do you happen to know of any charge controllers that can handle multiple banks of solar arrays?

[redbopeep]

Ken,

I haven't been to their site recently, but you might start with these folks at Northern Arizona Wind & Sun.

Hope all is going well with your projects!

Brenda and David

[Aussiesuede]

Originally Posted by Trim50

Thanks for the links Richard!

I'm presently considering two Kyocera 200W (26V) panels for the top of the bemini and three GE 50 W (17.4V) panels for the top of the dodger. Do you happen to know of any charge controllers that can handle multiple banks of solar arrays?

With that type of wattage you'll obviously be limited to the 80amp controllers. Keep an eye on conversion efficiency numbers as you compare. I've personally not seen a more efficient unit than the Apollo Star's, but the Outback 80's are a good as well. If it fits within you budget, then the Apollo Star 100amp can't be beat (and you won't outgrow it as it's upgradeable and has all the bells and whistles for remote monitoring) It also has the highest rated temperature operating range (which is important if you want to shorten wire runs and have the controller as close to the panels as reasonably possible as opposed to 'deep in the hole'.

Apollo Star 100 Amp Controller

[Trim50]

Wow...you are right, the Apollo certainly has all the bells and whistles! The idea of being able to check your batteries SOC from a remote PC is a very attractive option when travelling inland for a period of time.

The one thing about MPPTs is that you need to use like panels on your strings for them to provide optimization benefit. I have been getting advice to forget about the 50W panels and go with wind for less money. There seems to be good logic to the argument when everything is considered.

[multihullsailor6]

On the wind generators have a look at this comparison table at http://www.fourwinds-ii.com/v2/?c=library&i=windGenComp.

Also check out the noise levels of various manufacturer, I have an AirX which looks nice but is quite noisy, in comparison I was amazed at the quietness of the Rutland 913 but then its output is lower.

[imagine2frolic]

Look into the KISS wind generators. Highly effecient, and very QUITE!!!!!!!

[delatbabel]

For folks in Australia I'd recommend the ones by Plasmatronics, although they don't do one rated to 100 amps. For smaller amounts of wind/solar (up to 60 amps) though their PL range are very intelligent and have great features.

[taisho]

Originally Posted by Trim50

Thanks for the links Richard!

I'm presently considering two Kyocera 200W (26V) panels for the top of the bemini and three GE 50 W (17.4V) panels for the top of the dodger. Do you happen to know of any charge controllers that can handle multiple banks of solar arrays?

I currently have two Kyocera panels totaling 250W and running thru a 25 amp Go Power controller. The system has been up and running a couple of years with no problems. The controller has LCD readout that switches between battery volts and charge amps, it also has led batery volt indicator and led charge indicator. I also have a 400w wind gen and a 20 amp trolling gen which run direct to the batteries. At the batteries I have a diversion controler which you can set the voltage at which point it will divert the excess power to a 12v water heater element. The advantage of this is if properly adjusted your solar power does not cut in and out as the solar controller reaches its factory set cutout voltage. Go Green Sail Blue

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

Look into the KISS wind generators. Highly effecient, and very QUITE!!!!!!!

KISS LINK

[islandseeker]

I am currently running 4 x 100 watt panels with " BZ Products Inc." Controller/ Booster. These controllers actually add to the efficiency of the panels somehow and gives a little boost! Today I was getting 2.6 Amps from the panels and 2.9 amps out of the controller. I have had it for two years now with no problems. I bought it from BZ on e-bay for $90 I think and it was factory "refirbished" with a full warranty. Sorry I don't have the link currently but just Google " BZ Products Inc." they are in northern CA I believe...Good luck!

Oh, the only thing I wish was different is there is no "equalization" feature on mine, I'm sure they probably have several models though.