Solar panel and heating element to combat condensation ?

[simonfraser]

have fitted a small 12V computer fan to extract air and 3 others to force air out of various compartments including the bilge, this is powered by the 'load' output of a victron solar controller
boat is now bone dry, dehumidifier not switching on any more
boat not leaking 80W solar panel

 

[oldmanofthehills]

A couple of boats moored need us both have wind gen and both tell me that they are taking them off as they get so little power not worth the effort and the noise when spinning is greater than you would expect, this is especially true for neighbouring boats.

they also say just because they are spinning dies not mean they are actually generating anything

A couple of boats at far end of the yard have wind generators. I dont know if they generate electricity but they generate a dreadful howling sound like a banshee or demented ultraloud owl. I would not want to be on a pontoon near them as they would keep Navigator awake and grumpy even if duvet over my head enabled me to nap.

I expect that if serviced they could generate something, but too many folk go for the instal neglect complain cycle

 

[Stemar]

An electrical engineer friend did the sums on wind v solar, comparing a Rutland wind gen and the as much solar as he could get for the same money. On average wind speeds and insolation for Southampton, solar came out comfortably ahead.

I'm surprised to hear how little others are getting from their solar in winter. On my old Snapdragon, I had 40w of solar, and it was enough to recharge the batteries during the week after a weekend on board. On Jazzcat, I can't run the fridge, but it'll almost keep up with lights and FW pumps. I haven't needed a mains charger since I went solar.

 

[Refueler]

An electrical engineer friend did the sums on wind v solar, comparing a Rutland wind gen and the as much solar as he could get for the same money. On average wind speeds and insolation for Southampton, solar came out comfortably ahead.

I'm surprised to hear how little others are getting from their solar in winter. On my old Snapdragon, I had 40w of solar, and it was enough to recharge the batteries during the week after a weekend on board. On Jazzcat, I can't run the fridge, but it'll almost keep up with lights and FW pumps. I haven't needed a mains charger since I went solar.

I am considering swapping out the old panel on the 38 ... its starting to show its age along the edges and corners ... the controller in the heads is old and always shows green LED with no other indication. Probably good idea is to swap out the controller first - I have a couple of spare new ones with full displays. See what its really doing .... before replacing panel.