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+--- Thema: Solar arch (/showthread.php?tid=59)
Solar arch - Jannik - 16-12-2024
Hi all
im thinking about putting an solar arch on my 390. Any in here that has drawings and knowledge about that?
Kindly Jannik
RE: Solar arch - Pit - 16-12-2024
Hi Jannik,
I just made a 'small' attempt putting two panels in front of the fixed window:
https://390er.de/rodkick.php
But the new owner Martin did add more panels. He made a big trip from the Northern Adriatic to the Canaries and can tell you a lot about his solar experience and required power for long trips.
I hope he finds this message and will respond with some details of his setup.
Best,
-Pit
RE: Solar arch - Jannik - 17-12-2024
(16-12-2024, 06:43 PM)Pit schrieb: Hi Jannik,Hi Pit,
I just made a 'small' attempt putting two panels in front of the fixed window:
https://390er.de/rodkick.php
But the new owner Martin did add more panels. He made a big trip from the Northern Adriatic to the Canaries and can tell you a lot about his solar experience and required power for long trips.
I hope he finds this message and will respond with some details of his setup.
Best,
-Pit
thank you for reply. I hope Martil will get back ;-) Also thank you for info about rodkick, im also replasing that with new parts. Kindly Jannik
RE: Solar arch - Pit - 18-12-2024
Hi Jannik,
Martin seems busy preparing his boat for the long haul in the coming weeks.
However, I can describe my experience with two cells and summarize Martin's comment from this summer ('24).
Two times 60 watt sounds good, but reality underneath the boom is different. I ran both cells with just one Victron MPPT, cells in parallel. Two MPPTs would provide more power, while one panel will be covered (even just partially) by shadow from the boom or the sails. But that would be an expensive energy saving.
The 'real reason' I put the cells there, was to create shadow from top of the cabin. In the Med we have too much sun and the 390 is too light inside. I was often working on the saloon table with a computer and here the sun is just a pain.
I was always dreaming of a big solar panel mount, but the 390 is too small and it simply doesn't look nice.
On top, the boom is too narrow. After aligning the Mast another 15cm to the back, the boom did hit the new fixed window and it was required to reposition the vang and lift the boom a little bit.
Great, a little bit of more space for a bimini.
Martin figured out, that he needs a bimini for his long trip and got one made by 'Inox Boris'. Still narrow, you can't stand there anymore, but you finally have shadow!
Thee two 60W cells are just a buffer for a small holiday or weekend trip, but they don't even cover energy consumption of the fridge. Not even think of driving your laptop or the autopilot.
Martin did install another two panels (180W?) on each side in parallel to the cockpit. But these solar panels were disappointing as without ideal alignment there is not sufficient energy to sail with some comfort.
We did agree, that the unused space on top of the bimini would be the ideal spot for as much solar panels as you can simply mount.
Working from the boat with a computer or living on board requires a total of ~1000W. This sounds too bold, but having sufficient reserve also on cloudy days not in bright sunshine of the Med.
In addition, a switch to LiFe batteries will be necessary. Don't mingle with lead or AGM batteries anymore.
However, the lines above are reflecting that you are living (not alone) on your 390. Just cruising on weekends and holidays, I did survive with the 2 x 60W panels plus MPPT and just AGM batteries for two seasons very well: When I took my beer out of the fridge, the glass was always fogged up from the cold!
Prost!
-Pit
RE: Solar arch - Martin Thomas - 21-12-2024
Hi Jannik,
now also some info from myself. We are indeed very busy getting the boat ready for the next passage.
As Pit mentioned, the 2x60w under the boom is not even enough to run the Fridge 24/7. I put 2x200W on the railing which was great in the Mediterranean and was enough for Fridge, Autopilot and modest use of mobile phones. Now it is November and the days in the Canaries are short: We need more solar. We will.put another 120W on top of the Bimini and I hope that will be sufficient.
PM me your mobile number and I can send you some pictures.