Shore Power vs. Solar Panel Help me Decide!

aya16 · Post by **aya16** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:00 pm

I think there is no way your going to get the power you want without shore power. The pure convience of having it to run power tools or charge batterys or in my case run an a/c refridge all the time. Like what was mentioned before about being on the boat and just sitting in the slip, you can use 110 lights, microwave, use a house vac,watch tv, tons of things
you wouldnt be able to do with just batterys. Shore power is the way to go if its available.

Moe · Post by **Moe** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:57 pm

mike wrote:But hypothetically speaking, does the east-west direction of my slip render this solar vs. shore power decision moot?

Depends on what moors south of you... assuming you have a topping lift, boomkicker, or rigid vang to hold it up, you can snap the mainsheet to the stanchion on the north side, pull your boom that way, and mount a panel on top of the companionway hatch. Just see what shadows it at various times throughout the day. Also keep in mind we're getting pretty close to the summer solstice, and the sun angle will be lower most of the time.

--
Moe

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 10:43 pm

Skip the shore power. If your loads are not too great I would never pay 20 bucks extra a month. My 15Watt solar panel keeped my battery topped off just fine all last year. You will want to get a charge regulator so it won't fry your battery.

PS: I used the boat about twice a week the other days the panel replenished what I took out of the battery. If you are going to use the boat more than that you may want to supplement those power needs,ie. motor alternator.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 3:31 am

When I bought VW Beetle, I got an unexpected gift of a 5W solar panel with the car - I use this on Catigale when I cruise away from shore power locations. Putting 40-50 Watt hours back into the batteries during the day does help the electron balance a bit.

$20 a month for shore power is steep - maybe you could point out that you just want to charge a battery and not run ACs and stuff and get it tacked on for free?

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:01 am

Moe wrote:
mike wrote:But hypothetically speaking, does the east-west direction of my slip render this solar vs. shore power decision moot?
Depends on what moors south of you

The slip immediately to my right is occupied by a powerboat, but beyond that are several sailboats. I'll have to watch how their shadows affect me... but if I understand correctly, in the fall and winter, the sun will be further to the south in the sky, correct?

--Mike

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:01 am

Catigale wrote:$20 a month for shore power is steep - maybe you could point out that you just want to charge a battery and not run ACs and stuff and get it tacked on for free?

LOL... believe me, I tried.

--Mike

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:04 am

OK...time to get nasty.

"Maybe Ill fire up my Honda generator and sell shore power to your customers at $15 a month...."

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:07 am

aya16 wrote:I think there is no way your going to get the power you want without shore power. The pure convience of having it to run power tools or charge batterys or in my case run an a/c refridge all the time. Like what was mentioned before about being on the boat and just sitting in the slip, you can use 110 lights, microwave, use a house vac,watch tv, tons of things
you wouldnt be able to do with just batterys. Shore power is the way to go if its available.

I think I could get by fine without shore power at the home slip, since there would at least be a few weeks between trips for a solar panel to charge the batteries. We don't spend time on the boat in the slip (except for when I'm there working on the boat), and almost all my tools are battery powered. Then again, I do like to run a "turbo dryer" and a fan inside the boat when its docked, plus my little 12v dustbuster is no match for the shopvac when doing heavy cleaning inside the boat.

I think I'll just continue to evaluate how dependant I am on AC, and watch the track of the sun to see if solar is even an option, and in the meantime just stick with shorepower.

--Mike

Don B · Post by **Don B** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:03 pm

I take it that you do not presently have shore power installed in your boat ?

If you don't adding it may not raise resell value but might help sell it faster.

I am surprised AC is extra.

Are you sure they are not talking AC as in if you use a airconditioner they will charge $20.00 extra but 30 amp service it included for free ?

I have usually found 30 amp service to be included in the slip rentals I have looked at. I hope my marina does not get wind of charging extra. But than maybe I pay more per month with it included than you do with out it.

Does your Marina charge extra for water also ?

-Don B

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:34 pm

Mike ..I got excited for you when I thought I saw Boat US had a wind generator for $139....too bad that was just the replacement blade...

the actual unit is $1049

Ouch...seems like that should be cheaper than that...

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:45 pm

Don B wrote:I take it that you do not presently have shore power installed in your boat ?

Actually, I do.

I am surprised AC is extra.

Are you sure they are not talking AC as in if you use a airconditioner they will charge $20.00 extra but 30 amp service it included for free ?

Yes, I made it very clear that my electrical consumption would be minimal... no air conditioning, welding machines, etc., just battery charging/maintenance.

I have usually found 30 amp service to be included in the slip rentals I have looked at.

Power being included with slips seems to be the exception around here. That was one really good thing about the marina I just left... basically, they provided a regular 15 amp AC outlet at each slip, and specified that these were for battery charging only... no air conditioning, liveaboard usage, etc. That seemed reasonable.

Does your Marina charge extra for water also ?

No, water (and waste pumpout) are free!

--Mike

Don B · Post by **Don B** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:48 pm

Catigale ,

Why don't you just pick up one of those Gas Turbine Generators for Mike that GE is making next door to you in Schenectady.

-Don B

aya16 · Post by **aya16** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:54 pm

dont forget the a/c you could use....also how far is the slip from your house? I spend a lot of time on the boat without going out. but its close. so if you wont be going down to hang on your boat why put it in the slip?

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 2:17 pm

Don - and in a few years they will be running off the outgas from the head.....

I put my own shore power in after two years with the boat and it is a nice thing to travel with...Admiral likes being able to use a hair dryer, kids like the TV and VCR....I like never worrying about batteries.

mike · Post by **mike** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 2:22 pm

aya16 wrote:dont forget the a/c you could use....also how far is the slip from your house? I spend a lot of time on the boat without going out. but its close. so if you wont be going down to hang on your boat why put it in the slip?

Several reasons... my truck isn't sufficient to tow the boat on a regular basis, but, more importantly, we like being able to hop in and go.

This marina is about 35 minutes away from our house (our previous marina was about 10 or 15 minutes away).

--Mike

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Shore Power vs. Solar Panel Help me Decide!