Dashash
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2020
- Messages
- 70
- Vessel Make
- Bristol 42
I've had it in my head for a while that when my generator dies, I will replace it with a ton of solar. Thing is, for my Bristol 42 tri-cabin, there just isn't any real-estate for the square-footage of solar I'd need or want. But if I remove my flybridge and free-up my entire main cabin roof it wouldn't be a problem. I am also interested in rigging a more substantial headsail as well as paravanes, eventually. Removing the flybridge makes this a lot more feasible. I will surely miss the flybridge - it's where all the guests congregate when we're underway, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice for added energy independence, lower C.G., and easier fitting of headsail and paravanes.
The general roof set-up could be something like 6x320W panels (1920W total). Combined with around 1000AHr (call it 13,000WHr) of LiFePO4, I should be able to generate, on average, about half of the battery bank capacity each day. My daily loads are around 3,000WHr. Anyways, without boring you with the details, after running an energy budget analysis, I should have 2-3,000WHr of spare capacity each day for a water maker, air con, hot water heater, etc. Use any more than that and I start entering an energy deficit and will slowly drain the batteries faster than I can replenish.
So all in all, with an almost 2000W solar array, I think this project makes sense. Less than that, say, if I could only fit 1000W, and I don't think it would be worth the effort and loss of outdoor living space.
Thoughts?
Edit: I should add that I'm not entirely should I would net a reduction in C.G. Solar panel weight would amount to about 240lbs. Flush with the roof, of course, but still not an insignificant amount...
The general roof set-up could be something like 6x320W panels (1920W total). Combined with around 1000AHr (call it 13,000WHr) of LiFePO4, I should be able to generate, on average, about half of the battery bank capacity each day. My daily loads are around 3,000WHr. Anyways, without boring you with the details, after running an energy budget analysis, I should have 2-3,000WHr of spare capacity each day for a water maker, air con, hot water heater, etc. Use any more than that and I start entering an energy deficit and will slowly drain the batteries faster than I can replenish.
So all in all, with an almost 2000W solar array, I think this project makes sense. Less than that, say, if I could only fit 1000W, and I don't think it would be worth the effort and loss of outdoor living space.
Thoughts?
Edit: I should add that I'm not entirely should I would net a reduction in C.G. Solar panel weight would amount to about 240lbs. Flush with the roof, of course, but still not an insignificant amount...
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