effectiveness of solar & wind

[CosmosMariner]

Not a F***ing chance in hell and when I get an opinion on the subject I'll let you know!

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by CosmosMariner

Not a F***ing chance in hell and when I get an opinion on the subject I'll let you know!

LOL... don't forget to tell us how you really feel about SolarStiks...

[Idiens]

Sad thing for the Gores about solar panels is that they take more energy to make than they ever recover.

[xort]

Regarding PS and their test of SS...
I e-mailed PS back in April asking if they were testing SS and this is the reply I received...

"Yes, it's in progress. Should get results in July issue, possibly June.

Darrell Nicholson
Editor"

The pins & needles I'm sitting on are really starting to hurt.

[Cruisingdad]

Xort,

Better run out and buy it before the results make the prices go through the roof!!

- CD

[hellosailor]

A solar oven on the foredeck, oh joy, now there's a Real Good Reason we'll only eat cold candy bars during rough wx.

A solar charger for NiMh batteries is a real good idea though, since they self-discharge so badly that they're often dead in three weeks. NiCad are a much better way to go if you want to "charge now, use next week or next month".
Except supposedly the "Hybrio" batteries, NiMh that are supposed to hold their charge on the shelf.

Ah, technology.

Pass me another Snickers Bar, wouldya?

[xort]

lithium polymer & lithium ion are alleged to have very low discharge rates

[Idiens]

Originally Posted by xort

lithium polymer & lithium ion are alleged to have very low discharge rates

And you can now get them in handy lead-acid sizes. So a there's new competitor on the block for the best battery for cruisers. AGM's go in fear, you are no longer the most expensive.

[hellosailor]

Lithium-anything is great.

Provided, first, that you have a good automatic fire control system on board, because they seem to have a penchant for spontaneous combustion unmatched by any other power source except open flame.

And second, that you have enough household staff so you can afford to send one down to pick them up. If you have to DIY or hire a carrier to bring them--you probably can't afford the batteries either.

[CosmosMariner]

Hellosailor, hello, you got it reversed. 'Nickel-metal hydride batteries have a considerably higher charge capacity than nickel-cadmium batteries...' Right off the blister pack from Radio Shack. If you are saying they lied then go sue them and make a bundle. Also my experience with NMH batteries is that in heavy use they discharge in much less than three weeks that's why the charger is part of the plan. And once again, not every tool is intended for all situations. That is why they invented Sea-swing stoves for under way and Magma grills for at anchor. Solar on the foredeck might be the answer if you are to far from provisions and run out of propane or alcohol. At the Bahamas land and sea park there is NO provisioning period. It is a great place for an extended stay but only if your provisions last. About 45 cruising boats got stuck at Chubb Cay last January for about a month because the Trades were against getting to Nassau. Chubb Cay facilities had been wiped out and there were no provisions - no food, no propane, no diesel or gasoline, no water - nothing. In those cases having the solar and wind devices were greatly appreciated. When you can't just run down to the corner store for parts or candy bars this other 'stuff' make real good sense. A month of candy bars....?