If you're looking for a bit of extra power at anchor to keep your fridge/freezer icy cold this summer, portable fold-up solar panels are a great option.
Full write-up here:
blog.arribasail.com/2017/01/tech-portable-power-for-summer-sailing.html
I hate to confess that we have been living aboard with 20W of solar and almost no engine charging (more or less sail everywhere ). Still, no fridge or water pump. I think we'll just sail around to make sure we stay in the sunshine.
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said..
I hate to confess that we have been living aboard with 20W of solar and almost no engine charging (more or less sail everywhere ). Still, no fridge or water pump. I think we'll just sail around to make sure we stay in the sunshine.
Very frugal of you 
I would miss a fridge though, and I think it's worth having a few more solar panels to power one.
Select to expand quotesamsturdy said..
They've just been on sale at Aldi.
At Jaycar too:
www.jaycar.com.au/80w-portable-fold-up-solar-panel/p/ZM9130
Select to expand quotescruzin said...samsturdy said..
They've just been on sale at Aldi.
At Jaycar too:
www.jaycar.com.au/80w-portable-fold-up-solar-panel/p/ZM9130
I did have a look at the ones in Jaycar and the guy said that the folding ones were not 4 marine use - worth checking.
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said..scruzin said...samsturdy said..
They've just been on sale at Aldi.
At Jaycar too:
www.jaycar.com.au/80w-portable-fold-up-solar-panel/p/ZM9130
I did have a look at the ones in Jaycar and the guy said that the folding ones were not 4 marine use - worth checking.
I would not install it as a permanent panel, but as a temporary "extra" panel I think it is rugged enough. The frame is aluminum and has held up very well. Previously it was set up in a farm paddock powering a comms link for over a year.
do those panels also have a raw output that bypasses the built-in PWM controller?
Select to expand quotescruzin said..samsturdy said..
They've just been on sale at Aldi.
At Jaycar too:
www.jaycar.com.au/80w-portable-fold-up-solar-panel/p/ZM9130
I use a set of these as my total solar array. I unbolted the SS hinges and clips and mount one panel each side of the pushpit in a vertical position. 40w to each battery through a $13 regulator. I use the batteries on alternate days. Laptop and radios the only real power drains and there is never a problem.
Select to expand quotefishmonkey said..
do those panels also have a raw output that bypasses the built-in PWM controller?
The Jaycar ones don't, but it may be possible to remove the charge controller with a bit of hacking. I'll take a closer look next time.
I found in the past couple of days solar doesn't work when it's cloudy neither do wind generators if under 20knots! Been on the pick 9 days as of today.
I liked this guy's setup.. atomvoyages.com/cys/222-the-solar-tracker.html . Basically when a panel is directed towards the sun it makes good power. Since we sit on our boats on mooring or on passage, it's not hard to reach up and change a panel's orientation. So... if you get a lot more out of a panel or two whilst living aboard, you don't need to be a panel farm. I'm waiting on my panels now for fitting to this boat.
