Solar or wind

[Windwardbow]

My wife and I live on our 25' sailboat. We are on the gulf coast right now and will be heading down the west coast of Florida, and then to the Bahamas. We have one 20 watt solar panel right now, which is enough for lights and chart plotter. It is not enough for my wife's computor. We can afford to get more solar, or a wind generator, but not both. We do not have refrigiration, and have no intention of getting any. What do other liveaboads do? Any advice on my choice between the two.

[saildork]

Have you thought about getting one of the small Honda generators ( 1 kw or 2 kw) instead? They will provide all the power you need and more. And you can use them away from the boat as well.

[Minnewaska]

My biggest objection to wind gens are how noisy and irritating they get. Even listening to the one on the mooring next to me drives me nuts.

[Windwardbow]

No, I hadn't considered that. We only have a 25' boat, so space is at a premium. I don't think I would want to store it, feed it, and listen to it. Thanks for the thought though.

[Minnewaska]

The honda 1kw gen is so quiet you could whisper standing next to it. I dare say the wind gens are louder when they are turning. Will generate juice for 9 or more hours on less than a gallon of gas. Can be used to recharge your batts, then get a 12v DC adapter for the laptop.

[Omatako]

Given that you have probably quite a low power requirement, it's probably not necessary to go for the high-output fans that make a lot of noise. Something like a Rutland 913 that is actually quiet unless the wind is howling (in which case the gen noise is academic) will put out enough power to replace your draw.

Solar is OK but remember it only works in the daytime. I suppose the counter argument to this is that wind gens only work when there is wind but periods of darkness are guaranteed, a lack of wind is not.

My choice in these circumstances would be a wind gen.

[mdbee]

It sounds like you have minimal voltage needs. I'm about to add a second 20watt panel myself. Mine in hung on the rear "pushpit". I think having a second one on the other side will be better; there is less of a chance of a shadow interfering with charging.

Keep in mind, even a small shadow will dramatically cut your output.

PS: how many batteries do you have?

[Windwardbow]

I don't know much about solar panels. The 20 watt kit that I have now I bought from defender for $260 last year. I have been looking at some panels on ebay, but don't know what a good brand is or what a bad one is. If I go solar (that's the way I'm leaning) I would probably get a 100 watt panel. Defender is alot more expensive than the ones on ebay, but there may be a good reason for that. I don't want to pay more than I have to, but I also don't want a piece of junk. I want a good panel at a reasonable price.

[LakeSuperiorGeezer]

Laptop computers on average use 30 watts or 2.5 amps. How many hours per day do you use it? Lets say five hours so that is 12.5 amp-hours. Check here http://www.sailnet.com/forums/electr...nerator-2.html and see that message #12 states “0-4 Amp-hours per 24 hours in Hawaii. We have trade winds averaging 5-12+knots most days.” Consider that the Rutland 913 costs about $1000. Now a 135 watt solar panel will be about $400 and you already have wiring and voltage regulator, so cut this in half for poor angle to sun and voltage regulation and figure 12 hours of daylight so figure 4 amps so you get 50 amp-hour per day. Search on solar panel here on sailnet for more ideas

[teejayevans]

My laptop (which uses a 65 watt adapter), uses 1.5amps if already charged and at idle.
I have reefer and use computer 8 hrs/day. I use solar for 99% of my power, I run the engine if I run into a cloudy spell.
Tom