what are the best and cheapest way to have on board power for things like fans, lights, radio, tv
The words "best" and "cheapest" don't really fit in the same sentence.
You can have the "best" or you can have the "cheapest" but you can't have both together.
This www.cruisersforum.com/ is a good resource for information based on your question.
By the way, does anybody know how long a piece of string is or what time the half past eight bus leaves.
Cisco
Your loosing the plot here, the string is as long as you cut it and the 8.30 bus always leaves at 8.45
If you are planning on solar power there power ratings arnt accurate as they are tested on the equator laying flat at midday so they are getting maximum sun when its at its closest. If you are looking at solar you will need to account for this as a 80 watt system might only be good for 50 watts on a boat.
where are you? where are you going and how log? how big is your boat? what sort of amps are you going to be chewing and when? live aboard? lots of motoring? shore power available? is there a genset? budget? and so on.....
A piece of string is 2 times its length when folded in half.
I have 200W solar (flat) and Wind Generator.
The solar runs fridge and lights and radios constantly, even
in winter. but i guess less sun means less heat means less fridge runs.
I have nothing good to say about wind generators (except ***eholes)
mine is noisy and needs at least 20knots to become useful.(the generator BTW)
My 2 bobs is stick with solar just work out how much power you require
per day and get enough wattage to keep that-up X another half.
Hey BENNYP, simple answer, just installed 50W panel / of course noncrystalline / cost $150 and cut-off switch $18.
Run 2 batteries + 1 dedicated for motor starter. Pretty much it covers what you have.
But it is very simple, calculate how many amps you need than you know how much you have to put in / plus 20% more /.
Bay the way if not on the boat charging all batteries through shotky diodes, if on the boat,I have individual switches to select which bat. to be charged.
its also worth looking to the usa to buy stuff like 3 stage chargers, or wind power equipment. saved me more than 600 bucks on the wind turbine alone, although that was a few years ago now. alternative energy store. the warrantees were recognised here and have service agents in australia for their gear too, but check on that for each product.
BENNYP you still here, was your question answered ?
give us a update how you go with your set up !!!!!
Thanks for that input MichaelR. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
I have a Nokia 2730 I think with a 2gb micro SD memory card which allows a huge amount of music to be carried around in your pocket. Output is via a 3mm stereo socket which is a common cord into most car as well as boat stereos.
I do think a TV on a boat that is used mostly for cruising as opposed to living aboard in a marina is out of place.
ok thanks for all the advice and yes i see there is alot to think about. my next question is that i have a old solar pannel that i found in my parents shed, but it has no wiring, is that fixable.
also to let you all know. my yacht is a 25 roberts adventurer that we plan on using for weekend and holiday crusing. i have never owned a boat biggernough to stay on and this is why i need help. i think my concern is that i have enough power to run lights and music and charge things like phone, also it would like to be able to do work on the lap top or watch the footy on tv.
This is my set up. System is visually under control. I have connected the same way more batteries. One bat. or more don't matter, on the end of the day they all equalized.
I have been doing some market research on battery chargers and everybody seems to agree that although expensive, the Ctek units are the duck's nuts.
The D250S and the Smartpass units appear to be the ideal set up for yachts that rarely go along side and hook up to shore power.
Whether they are actually a charger or a smart regulator is debateable.
If a yacht has solar panels plus windgenerator and engine alternator these units look to be the ideal solution.http://www.ctek.com/en/chargers
c
I have just bought one of these for $200.http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360371149975&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
My yacht has 2 - 110 amp hour deep cycle batteries. I only use one bank each day and intend separating the suitcase panels and installing them each side of the pushpit. The unit comes with a regulator and I will buy a second one and have each panel charge its own battery. I have always kept systems separate preferring to have one bank idle. My yacht has never had panels before and managed Sydney Hobart races with out recharging. I normally run the diesel each day I'm sailing even if I sail off/on to my mooring. Normal drain is just Laptop, radios and stereo so 40 watts will handle it easy. I will still be using the diesel anyway.
The sloar system should have a good quality controler, Ctek three stage charger, VSR switch, Good Quality AGM battery I have a 270Amphr one and all new wiring on the new boat. Three sloar panels 2x135 and 1x 65watt.
wow thats looks great i can see i have alot of wiring to do to male mine look a bit better. does anyone know how much i sould pay for a 100 amphr battery. also what are peoples oppinions on generators
