forms of energy?

[peacekeeper6]

I have been tinkering with the ideas of getting energy onto my boat with the least amoint of enivromental and safety concerns. The things that i have come up with are solar, and wind mill type energy sources. Has anyone tried this type of renewable energy source? from what i calculated you would need a 24 inch sq of solar panels and a regulartor to keep two to four marine batteries charged. BUt the only deal would be night time operation. Would 4 batteries get me through the night? or even two so i could keep a reserve? or should i just go the generator route? i want to get an air conditioner that can be used off shore for fishing trips. what capacity kind of power draw would i be looking at? for a moderate portable unit? thanx for looking and giving me input.

Curtis

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: forms of energy?

[colour=blue]I have a 45ft houseboat, I have two power sources - the mercury alternator (18amp @ 1500rpm+) and solar panels (16 amps per hour, midday) my accessories include - lights (including spotlights), TV/DVD, antenna rotator, power tools, coffee machine & other kitchen appliances. I do not have an aircon, that is a big wattage item. 80% of the time, the merc is not running.

You need to do some sums in regard to how much wattage you will need and how much wattage you can deliver via an inverter. The batteries you install will need to be adequate for the inverter. The solar panels need to be adequate for the batteries. Get the picture?

For example : The aircon draws 1000w (start up peak could be as high as 2000w), you will need a 1500w (continuous) inverter that has a 2500w peak. Inverters are not efficient, you will lose about 10 - 15% in the conversion from 12v to 110v.

Now you need to dust off the calculator -

AC watts divided by 12, x 1.1 = DC amps. Your batteries need to deliver 138 amps per hour. ( I run 6 batteries totalling 1400 amp hours, your aircon would flatten my batts within 10 hours).

Other factors can effect the bottom line - amount of sunshine & your aspect to the sun, quality of wiring, quality of the inverter etc etc.

Some appliances (such as microwave ovens and laptops) hate cheap inverters, you may need a true sinewave.

Do your sums and remember -
whatever amps you draw from the batteries will need to be replaced by the solar panels/alternator.

 

[Chunder06]

Re: forms of energy?

I suggest you speak to some yachties, that all they use, its all off the shelf commercial stuff, use your gen as backup when no wind or sun to charge the batteries.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: forms of energy?

yea that makes sense. so its either load my boat with batteries or get a generator. now i have to calculate costs along with amps and volts.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: forms of energy?

from what i calculated you would need a 24 inch sq of solar panels and a regulartor to keep two to four marine batteries charged.

24 square inches of solar panels will produce roughly six tenths of one watt only during the brightest periods of sun...not enough to even charge a cell phone. In order to power air conditioning you would have to have enough solar panels to sink your boat.

 

[jlinder]

Re: forms of energy?

If you are going to use solar or wind you pretty much rule out most forms of heating and cooling - they draw way too much power.

That simple air conditioner will take in the neighborhood of 200 sq. ft. of solar panels to run, double that if you run the air 24 hours a day (to get you through the night).

Also, when you are looking for renewable power also look at what you can do to minimize your power draw. For example, LED lighting draws very, very little power. If you want a TV look for a flat panel. You get the idea.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: forms of energy?

ah i see, that is a good idea about LED, can i switch the lights on board my boat in the cabin to LEDs instead of the filimant bulbs?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: forms of energy?

I can vouch for the 24 square inch not producing much power. I have one mounted in the window of my shed to keep my tractor battery topped off. That's all its capable of -- it would take weeks to actually charge the battery if were totally flat. Forget solar. As for wind -- your boat would likely sink from the weight of a powerful enough wind generator to charge four batteries. You need a generator or a lot less power consumption.

 

[jlinder]

Re: forms of energy?

In some cases you can find LED bulbs to replace the incandescent bulbs, but you might be better replacing the fixture.

Try searching the web for LED replacment bulbs. Not too much money to give it a try.