Solar Cells

Storm Connors (stormc@iname.com)
Sat, 20 Feb 1999 23:12:19 -0800

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I picked up a Davis MegaLight from JSI at the boatshow for $29.95. It
uses .74 amps so it should go for 1000 hours on an 80 amp battery. It
also turns on automatically when it gets dark. Since the anchor light
would be the biggest draw on your list, perhaps the megalight would be a
better solution for you than a solar charging system. Or perhaps allow
you to get away with one of the plug in panels intended to keep
batteries topped up.

I'm wondering about solar cells. I have the Class 24 style battery
that came with the 98 P-19 package.
www.jademountain.com has
(PV184) 17 watt, 1.1 amp framed (24.9" x 10.8") $208.00
Battery Maintenance (5W panel ) (PS3921) $108.00

I.M. has a .5w flexible panel for $220.00

Now I read somewhere that the Siemens panels are durable, but a
flexible panel is nice if you have to walk where it's placed.

OTH I might be able to place that Solar cell someplace where
I don't walk.

Power requirements will be Cell phone, which I haven't bought
Wide 128 Depth finder, VHF (don't have yet), Garmin GPS, and
anchor light.

While on my trip along the Texas coast, I'll probably be using
the Depth finder & GPS fulltime, VHF sometimes, the anchor
light all night.

Suggestions about battery sizing, Cell sizing and placement
requested.

# Regards Tom Bodine @