wind versus solar chargers

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Iota

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Had a conversation this morning with a marine electronics company about the best way to keep the batteries charged on a mooring.

I was going for a Rutland 913 but he has suggested a solar panel - Solar 225M on the domestics with an emergency cutover to allow the domestics to start the engine if the engine battery fails. He reckons the panel can go infront of the sheet track infront of the sprayhood.

The boat is a Jeanneau SO35

Anybody got experience of the Solar panel in question?

thoughts?
 
Hi Iota,
I have a 70 watt solar panel mounted in a similar position on my Bavaria, I also have a 913 fitted.
I suspect the solar panel produces more power per week than the 913 as solar panels do not need sun, just day light to produce power.
The two together run the refrigerator and lighting 24/7. I have 420ah of domestic batteries and a pair of jump leads incase the engine battery goes down.
A 913 whilest very quiet and probably one of the best wind generators will require 20kn of wind to produce 4 amps I beleive.
Hope this helps.
 
In your situation I'd go for the solar. Zero maintenance, no arms to break, and no noise for the neighbours!
 
I have a solar panel, though not the 225M, mounted infront of the mainsheet traveller on the coach house roof. Stays there all the time, even when sailing although only tied on. Seems to keep my batteries topped up OK. Am most impressed as the little red LED to indicate charging, shows until well into dusk. If I needed more charging capacity I would go for another solar panel. Far less hassle, noise and cost than a wind charger.
 
I have had a 225M fitted for about ten years now (on two different boats) and also I have fitted them to a couple of friends boats. The ones I have fitted have been on Ben 311/343, and I fitted them forward of the mainsheet track; I think the SO35 should be similar. This is not the ideal position as they can get partially covered by the boom, but they are in a place where they seldom get walked on or stuff dropped on to them; there is a slight camber but they are well able to cope with this. I always fit them with a couple of washers under the screw fixing points (under the panel) in order to keep them 1 to 2mm or so above the deck in order to allow a bit of air to flow underneath.
They will do the job of keeping your batteries topped up and from my experience they are good panels ............ not the cheapest though !!!!
 
About 900 supply and fit from Waypoint 1 plus emergency switch for engine start from domestics
 
Thanks to all who replied, much food for thought.

I need to measure the space available and make a decision.
 
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