"Jere Lull" wrote in message
news:2007040819034016807-jerelull@maccom...
On 2007-04-07 18:35:57 -0400, "Courtney Thomas"
said:

Which 'solar cell' do you recommend, please, and why ?

Thanks,
Courtney

We're mostly weekenders, with two or three 2-3 week trips thrown in,
so a 12w works fine for keeping our 120 AH group 31 up to snuff. When
we return after 4 days away, the battery is almost always at 100%.

Accidently, we ran the battery flat. As a test, I turned everything
off to see what the cell would do. By 11 AM, we had charge enough to
start the Yanmar.

But our needs are minimal. The anchor light, VHF and autopilot are our
big draws. No windlass, pressurized water, TV, computer or the like,
and our lights are mostly LED or fluorescent.

I like "hard" cells because they give slightly better performance, but
many have made a good case for the flexible ones.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's new pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI pages: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/


A case of the blind leading the blind?

Sorry Jere but you should refrain from speaking and let people think
you're ignorant rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt. Please
allow me to correct your misconceptions.

1) It's called a photovoltaic panel not a "cell" Photovoltaic panels
consist of several solar cells wired together.

2) Amorphous (flexible) photovoltaic panels are less than half as
efficient as the more costly polycrystalline or monocrystalline panels
area for area.

3) A twelve-watt panel will output about 3/4 amp max. This means it will
take about 100 hours ideal sun conditions to charge a fully discharged
85 amp hour battery and more than 150 hours to charge your 120 amp hour
battery.

Wilbur Hubbard