Solar panel for deck mounting in front of sprayhood

[ashtead]

While at SBS looked at some solar panels but welcome thoughts as to which one might be best to use on deck . Have no wish to mount on panels or arch so was thinking an 80 units panel might be best version but would this be realistic and worth fitting or is 80 too small ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

While at SBS looked at some solar panels but welcome thoughts as to which one might be best to use on deck . Have no wish to mount on panels or arch so was thinking an 80 units panel might be best version but would this be realistic and worth fitting or is 80 too small ?

In front of the sprayhood suffers from shade, so i'd suggest installing two smaller panels in parallel. Whatever you can get is worth having, just remember to fit good panels.

 

[VicS]

While at SBS looked at some solar panels but welcome thoughts as to which one might be best to use on deck . Have no wish to mount on panels or arch so was thinking an 80 units panel might be best version but would this be realistic and worth fitting or is 80 too small ?

You don't give any indication of your power requirements but the usual advice is to fit the largest panel , or combination of two or more, that you have room to fit

 

[duncan99210]

I’ve got two Sunlife panels fitted either side of the mast, plus a SpectraLite panel mounted forward of the mast. They’ve been there for five years now, showing no signs of damage or wear. They do all suffer from shading to some degree. Been thinking about fitting another couple of panels on the companionway hatch garage but not done so as I think cost will exceed benefit.
There are cheaper semi flexible panels out there off eBay but they tend to go cloudy within a few years.

 

[Seajet]

I've had a succession of 30watt semi flexible panels on the main hatch garage, which would be just ahead of a sprayhood if I wanted one; they work well there and don't seem to suffer from shading, as we're not in the tropics the sun comes in at an angle, and as the boat is on a swinging mooring the panel gets a nice variety - the battery monitor always gives a thumbs up.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I've had small panels mounted on the hatch garage which have performed well in keeping the house battery charged on a swinging mooring. I'm a light user of electrical power having no fridge or radar but you have to accept that at times shading will affect the output but that's the nature of the beast.

I’ve got two Sunlife panels fitted either side of the mast, plus a SpectraLite panel mounted forward of the mast. They’ve been there for five years now, showing no signs of damage or wear. They do all suffer from shading to some degree. Been thinking about fitting another couple of panels on the companionway hatch garage but not done so as I think cost will exceed benefit.
There are cheaper semi flexible panels out there off eBay but they tend to go cloudy within a few years.

 

[alahol2]

Same experience as Seajet and Ghostly. Only 30 watts but that is enough to fully recharge the 100Ah house battery over a week and helps make the amps last whilst we are cruising.

 

[ashtead]

Thanks to all for views. My intention was to just top up the house batteries and sort of dip my toe into the solar panel world as a learning experience on basis most long distance cruisers seem to favour panels unles having a towed device . Apart from Sunlife or Spectralite are there are any other good makes to check out?

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I bought a 50w panel from Photonic universe to mount on the hatch garage and have been very happy so far, just the right size and looks well made. I was also very happy with their advice when speaking to them at last years SIBS

https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en...ing-for-motorhome-caravan-camper-rv-boat.html

 

[Seajet]

I think my present one is a Sunware, the one before it a Sunlife; I replaced the Sunlife as it developed a burnt out looking cell , now after another 10-15 years the Sunware has the same burnt out cells, if anything worse; but it hardly shows, electrically or aesthetically.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by solar panels; just make sure you have a regulator, with green /green flashing / amber / red, these are a very useful guide to what's really going in or out of your battery/s, far more immediate than a condition momitor.

 

[alahol2]

Mine's a Lensun. Seems OK at the moment.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've also only just fitted a Photonic Universe semiflexible panel, supposed to be better than others, newer back contact type and slightly smaller. Mounted in front of the sprayhood to starboard, seems ok and I'm going to add a 30w panel adjacent on the hatch garage over winter. I know they will get some shading but I'm on a swinging mooring so constantly changing. Fitted a twin battery controller so can charge engine & domestic batteries. Photonic Universe are not the cheapest but good advise when talking with them. I can also add 2 x 20w panels on the rear deck if required in the future.

 

[ashtead]

Thanks to all for further info . I will have a look at others mentioned but Photonic seems like the way to go as a way into the solar world without breaking the bank . If any alternatives out there though do shout as no rush to buy

 

[Spuddy]

I got a 50W semiflexible and tied it on with string on top of sprayhood. Cunningly arranged so that it can be swivelled across to favourable side. A chum has a 100W each side of cockpit hinged on ss tube slid onto guard rails. Further bits of ss allow them to be propped at best angle; so, like two shelves sticking outboard that can be dropped down when alongside and on shorepower. I did summat similar on last boat but with string and a cut down broomstick.

 

[ashtead]

Spuddy might be a step too far for me currently to have ones on ss tube but yes for longer travels I can see attraction. I probably just want to fit a flat panel to start out so need to first work out how to run the cable back from chosen location

 

[Seajet]

Do get a battery condition meter if not already fitted; without that it's very difficult to see where one stands, though regulators with green / flashing green / amber / red multi colour LED's are a useful clue.

 

[ashtead]

Thanks ,Seajet yes I have a monitor which generally shows around 14.2 on the house batteries

 

[Seajet]

Mine ( single 65 a/h for the Solent, single 100 a/h for cruising, both gel batteries ) shows 13.7 volts when on charge, if getting near 12 I know I have to watch useage and think about connecting the outboard charging coil; I only usually do this trundling along in calms with the autopilot going, when it seems I might as well top up the battery as well as the solar panels' input.

The engine is normally stowed and a blanking plate fitted in the well if sailing any distance.

I have a JRC radar but the intention all along has been to use it in short bursts to see what's around - say cross Channel if caught in poor vis - no way would or could I keep it going all the time like fishing boats seem to.

 

[neil_s]

I've got a cheap e-bay 30W semiflexible panel. Sundeley perhaps? The top plastic surface started to delaminate quite badly so I stuck it down with sticky tape. The panel is three years old and still works fine, though. It's on my hatch garage.

 

[nicappotamus 2]

another +1 for photonic advice n service when buying a couple of years ago