Here goes... the summary to the saga... I hope I have been completely accurate here...
THe questions regarding the SS, for those that do not want to read 44000 pages of good info, bad info, name calling, etc... is:
1) WHAT IS REAL WORLD OUTPUT FOR A CRUISER?
2) DOES IT JUSTIFY THE PRICE?
Am I wrong here?? THat is the basis for this conversation.
Answers:
1)
The real world output for the SS, assuming a diligent turning, is in the 60's-70 ah/day (70's being wayyyy on the outside, perfect day range). Is that correct, or have I missread? So, unless you are living very frugally, 60-70 will not touch your outgo. You will have to find another means of charging, buy another solar stick(s), or both. Cruisers often ask us what our real outgo was. For us, without a watermaker, 150-180 was our number, IIRC. Cam, Soul Searcher, Btrayfors, Tartan34c, PBeezer, Faster... is that what you have seen??
I honestly do not undersatnd how people come in less than that. Maybe their kids turn off the lights?? I do not know.
2
Here is what I have. It cost me, start to finish, about $7,500 or so. That is a lot more than the SS... but my daily average output is about 176 ah/day. That just about puts me off the grid (or totally off the grid if the kids turn off the lights).
The pic above is a frontal shot.
THis pic show the side view of the solar arch.
This pic shows a long-view of the panels across the top.
This setup consists of 4-KC 130 panels wired in series to a Outback MX-60 MPPT controller. THe cost of these was about $600/panel plus 500ish for the controller, and 400ish for the wire and lugs. THe rest is the arch, which doubles as a line holder, extra equipment holder (like dive tanks soon), and a place I can hang my dirty underwear to let them dry out (to scare away the pesky Sea Rays).
So, where is the money better spent?? These are real world numbers. Also, with a setup like mine, you can easily add a wind (which I do not think you should) or even more panels with minimal expense. A negative of mine is that you will have to find a machine/fab shop to buid the arch. The typical (if any) bimini will NOT hold that kind of weight. Thus, you have more frustration and time involoved in designing the system.
I am not against the SS. I have said that a million times I think. It seems that it is a good product with a very neat mounting system for the "right" boat wth "Realistic" views on what it will put out. However, it is simply a mounting system and if your aspirations are to be close to off the grid, you better buy a bunch of them.
Any differing opinions?
- CD