Dottie and I and Itchen are at Man O’ War Cay for a while and have a question for the group. Until this trip all of our cruising has included a good proportion of motoring or motor sailing relative to the total amount of time living on board so keeping batteries charged has not been an issue. Here in the Bahamas we are enjoying many days at anchor or on moorings enjoying snorkling and shore-side activities and are thinking hard about the advantages of solar or wind power instead of having to run the 3GM30 with Powerline 120 amp generator for a few hours every day or two to keep the two AGM 4D’s house bank charged. So, what combinations of wind generator or solar panal array have worked for other BCC’s? Deck space is pretty limited and I’d like to avoid the usual pedestal mount for a wind generator. I saw a small sloop at Manjack that had a wind generator suspended from the headstay and held in position by a couple of lines led aft to the rail port & stbd. Seemed simple and effective way to triangulate and secure it while at anchor. I suppose we could rig a flexible panel or two atop the dodger or bimini, but there isn’t much deck space for a panel of any size. I’ve seen a couple of purpose-made aluminum angle mounts to support rigid panels on the lifelines. Any suggestions?
Scott,
We had the same experience when anchored for more than a couple of days in the Channel Islands. Just using the cabin lights, radio etc drained a battery if the engine wasn’t run. We istalled the two solar panels on top of the turtle hatch (Pic attached) and that has worked great. While we don’t have refrigeration, these two panels gave us more than ample charging power without ever running the engine while at anchor for extended days in Mexico. I originally installed them so that they could tilt up in the early or later part of the day, but have found that this is not at all necessary. They are also the type of panel that will work with rigging or boom shadows.
Wayne
Scott,
We had the same experience when anchored for more than a couple of days in the Channel Islands. Just using the cabin lights, radio etc drained a battery if the engine wasn’t run. We istalled the two solar panels on top of the turtle hatch (Pic attached) and that has worked great. While we don’t have refrigeration, these two panels gave us more than ample charging power without ever running the engine while at anchor for extended days in Mexico. I originally installed them so that they could tilt up in the early or later part of the day, but have found that this is not at all necessary. They are also the type of panel that will work with rigging or boom shadows.
Wayne
Best Marine Imports introduces new line of Wind Driven Marine Generators
First wind generators that allow the operation of 110 V A.C. small appliances directly
from the unit.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida - May 30, 2004 Best Marine Imports has secured the distribution
of
the HWG-Wind Dancer? line of wind turbine
marine
generators.
These state of art units feature
unique characteristics, such as 12V DC and 110 V AC
outlets that will enable boat users to run small
appliances, computers etc. while at the same time
maintain batteries charged.
Technical Characteristics
Available in two sizes, the HWG-400 and the HWG-
300.
Both models feature distorsion-free nylon
molded blades.
Noiseless operation.
High
quality permanent magnet design.
Units generate
electricity at very low wind speeds (7mph)
Overload output protection.
Battery
overcharge protection.
Switch operated blade
brake device.
Ball bearing construction for longer
operating life.
Moderately priced. Retail prices start at US $ 629.00
Learn more... - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=rm9f7zaab.0.oz8omibab.icmprrn6.1981&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestmarineimports.com%2FWindancer.html
Best Marine Imports introduces new line of Wind Driven Marine Generators
First wind generators that allow the operation of 110 V A.C. small appliances directly
from the unit.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida - May 30, 2004 Best Marine Imports has secured the distribution
of
the HWG-Wind Dancer? line of wind turbine
marine
generators.
These state of art units feature
unique characteristics, such as 12V DC and 110 V AC
outlets that will enable boat users to run small
appliances, computers etc. while at the same time
maintain batteries charged.
Technical Characteristics
Available in two sizes, the HWG-400 and the HWG-
300.
Both models feature distorsion-free nylon
molded blades.
Noiseless operation.
High
quality permanent magnet design.
Units generate
electricity at very low wind speeds (7mph)
Overload output protection.
Battery
overcharge protection.
Switch operated blade
brake device.
Ball bearing construction for longer
operating life.
Moderately priced. Retail prices start at US $ 629.00
Learn more... - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=rm9f7zaab.0.oz8omibab.icmprrn6.1981&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestmarineimports.com%2FWindancer.html
Hi, we use solar panels mounted on our starboard lifelines. Solar vs wind generators is a tortoise and hare comparison.
Wind gens are fast and high output when they are working…but are not working much of the time…and make noise, and wear and require regular maintenance.
Solar panels are more tortoise like…actually more like a dead tortoise since they make no noise and don’t move.
Panels won’t give as much power in a breezy location but they will any day the sun shines. I have had both, but much prefer panels for our useage…we have no electric refrigerator.
Our are mounted litterally on the lower lifeline, starboard side (Trade winds are easterly on anchor and sun is mostly to our south) with heavy duty wire ties acting as pivot points on the frame(passed through holes on the frame and around the lifeline). A short piece of small diameter line is used from the other side to the upper lifeline to support the panel when it is folded outboard like a wing. Since they are folded outboard, they don’t interfere with deck space.
These are the older style panels that measure roughly 1 x 4 feet. When pivoted upward for stowage they fit between the two lifelines and the short support line is utilized to tie them in place in a folded up position.
I know there might be more secure and ‘neater’ ways to attach these panels with metal clips(stainless re-acts with the aluminum frame)and stiff arms, but this has worked for us for more than 20 years and I’m not about to change now.
The panels are hardwired direct to the batteries with an attachment point on deck using standard pull-apart wire connectors so they can be easily removed for anticipated rough or long passages. But they have been left on the lifelines through many blows on anchor and even a nine-day passage to the Virgins …without damage.
Hi, we use solar panels mounted on our starboard lifelines. Solar vs wind generators is a tortoise and hare comparison.
Wind gens are fast and high output when they are working…but are not working much of the time…and make noise, and wear and require regular maintenance.
Solar panels are more tortoise like…actually more like a dead tortoise since they make no noise and don’t move.
Panels won’t give as much power in a breezy location but they will any day the sun shines. I have had both, but much prefer panels for our useage…we have no electric refrigerator.
Our are mounted litterally on the lower lifeline, starboard side (Trade winds are easterly on anchor and sun is mostly to our south) with heavy duty wire ties acting as pivot points on the frame(passed through holes on the frame and around the lifeline). A short piece of small diameter line is used from the other side to the upper lifeline to support the panel when it is folded outboard like a wing. Since they are folded outboard, they don’t interfere with deck space. And they also are clear of any shade produced by the boom and mast most of the time.
I should point out that these are the older style 36 watt panels that measure roughly 1 x 4 feet. When pivoted upward for stowage they fit between the two lifelines and the short support line is utilized to tie them in place in a folded up position. The larger 75 watt panels would be a bit heavy and too wide to be mounted this way.
I know there might be more secure and ‘neater’ ways to attach these panels with metal clips(stainless re-acts with the aluminum frame)and stiff arms, but this has worked for us for more than 20 years and I’m not about to change now.
The panels are hardwired direct to the batteries with an attachment point on deck using standard pull-apart wire connectors so they can be easily removed for anticipated rough or long passages. But they have been left on the lifelines through many blows on anchor and even a nine-day passage to the Virgins …without damage.
I tried attaching a photo but it disappeared somewhere into the forum.
All, I can say about wind generators is that I don’t like the ones permanently mounted on poles aft. They are noisy when sitting in cockpit and require attention. I have had the one’s that string up in the rigging on the foredeck…which is a better place for noise abatement as well as a natural dampening of vibration and they are a PITA everytime you want to pick up anchor and go sailing.
