Here's an update on the project:
We ultimately decided to go with the solar option. 2x Renogy 200W rigid panels, 2x Victron SmartSolar 75/15 MPPT, and the Victron smart battery monitor. The Victron products network together for synchronized charging. I turned off the shore charger and switched to solar around 7pm Wednesday. We were still registering about 25W from each panel that late in the day! I left the boat with the fridge running for the (warm) night and when I returned to the boat after work yesterday (Thursday) around 4:00pm I was pleased to see that the batteries were charged. Looking at the trends, it looked like we were fully charged at approximately 12:50pm. We had plenty of extra capacity to operate the inverter/TV, fans, instruments, and radio until about 6pm when we started to pull from the batteries a little. It was a sunny day but I was very impressed with how well it worked. Stay tuned for results in different cloud conditions.
The electrical portion of the project was extremely easy and I found the Victron products and configuration process to be quick and intuitive. All I have left now is to finish securing the cables and install panel disconnects. For now I unplug the MC4 connectors when I switch to shore power.
The challenging part was designing the panel support to mount to the existing Bimini frame. It was very difficult to accurately measure and 3D model the frame because level, plumb, and flat don't exist on a boat! I ended up putting enough adjustability into the design to make it work. It's all made from 1" black StarBoard and 1.5x1.5x.125 aluminum angle. I'll be making an additional bimini frame support for both sides just aft of the winches for high wind/stormy situations.
We ultimately decided to go with the solar option. 2x Renogy 200W rigid panels, 2x Victron SmartSolar 75/15 MPPT, and the Victron smart battery monitor. The Victron products network together for synchronized charging. I turned off the shore charger and switched to solar around 7pm Wednesday. We were still registering about 25W from each panel that late in the day! I left the boat with the fridge running for the (warm) night and when I returned to the boat after work yesterday (Thursday) around 4:00pm I was pleased to see that the batteries were charged. Looking at the trends, it looked like we were fully charged at approximately 12:50pm. We had plenty of extra capacity to operate the inverter/TV, fans, instruments, and radio until about 6pm when we started to pull from the batteries a little. It was a sunny day but I was very impressed with how well it worked. Stay tuned for results in different cloud conditions.
The electrical portion of the project was extremely easy and I found the Victron products and configuration process to be quick and intuitive. All I have left now is to finish securing the cables and install panel disconnects. For now I unplug the MC4 connectors when I switch to shore power.
The challenging part was designing the panel support to mount to the existing Bimini frame. It was very difficult to accurately measure and 3D model the frame because level, plumb, and flat don't exist on a boat! I ended up putting enough adjustability into the design to make it work. It's all made from 1" black StarBoard and 1.5x1.5x.125 aluminum angle. I'll be making an additional bimini frame support for both sides just aft of the winches for high wind/stormy situations.