solar panels and refrgeration

Your charger doesn't need to be particularly big if connected for sufficient charge time, it does need a float charge function if left on but doesn't need the added complication of temperature sensing if it is charged sensibly.

 

for sure i want to buy a three stage charge controler for efficiency.
after a search from some documents, i think there are two different technologies that do this three stage charge job: One is PWM( i dont know the expansion of this abbreviation) controller and the other is MPPT(maximum power point tracking) controller.
which one do you recommend?

 

Thanks for the input, Bglad.

You're right: a block of ice, and the little Honda generator as backup for the batteries, might be simpler than trying to go solar. And the starboard half of the cabin top, where I was thinking of placing the solar panels, is just about the right size for lashing down a home-made folding dinghy instead.

On the other hand, we have so much sunshine around here it almost seems a crime to let it go to waste...and I do sometimes enjoy technology for its own sake, as long as it doesn't take over my life and my wallet.

What sort of information do you need to 'take a stab at it?'

 

If your original list is pretty much inclusive of the items you want to run assuming an ice box instead of a refrigerator I will work from there. I will try to work it out to carry a three day weekend and see how it comes out.

Keep in mind an icebox can always be refrigerated later and the better its insulation the better it will work. Also solar panels or other charging devices can be added later too. What I have in mind is the simplest least expensive off the shelf component system that will do the job safely and effectively.

Let me know if that sounds ok to you...

 

It doesn't matter what bells and whistles you buy with it, it will still charge your battery equally well and just as efficiently as they always did with the old WTFDWNTF technology. Just make sure ideally it has either a final voltage regulator or a float charge facility, the rest of the charging is taken care of by the battery its self.

 

That sounds fine to me.

 

Dry ice wouldn't use any electricity but you would have to worry about rising CO2 concentrations in a micro-polar ecosystem. Could be bad for micro-polar bears. Of course they are square and you can eat them.

 

Two good points in one message. The hazards of CO2 and the pleasure of a Klondike bar!

I wonder if you just packed the icebox with enough Klondike bars if it would keep everything else cool enough? Personal consumption would have to be balanced to insure none of the bars go to waste

 

I will see what I can get going in the next few days. Likely will start with an equipment list and go from there.

 

I've never had the pleasure of eating one, but it sure looks good!

Never understood the people who waste precious cooler space by using these blue cooling elements. We just pack a bag full of ice cubes and a frozen packs of fruit juice for my wife. The cubes do melt, but I can still fish out enough for a glass of bourbon after 3 days.

 

We pre-freeze our drinking water. Placed strategically, they keep everything cold without getting everything wet. Pack sealed foods and beverages on the bottom to keep whatever water forms in cooler off the more perishable stuff above.

 

it all depends on the capacity of the refrigerator what i would suggest is get the refrigerator and a matching solar panel to go with it.

 

Follow-up question

Troy,

Is your Sharpie going to have a motor and if so what type of cranking needs and charging output will it have. No worries if it does not or is just a kicker just need to know.

Bill G.

 

DC power suggestion

I have done some work on your assignment and attached what I came up with. I think I have furnished enough details where you can work out a budget for the bits and pieces. Let me know if it makes since to you. It is not super detailed but should give you some ideas.

As we discussed subsequently in this thread it does not include refrigeration but does cover you DC needs as you described above and the occasional use of AC power to recharge or run your computer best I could figure.

Bill G.

 

Bill, auxiliary power will most likely be a pull-start outboard in a well. So it shouldn't need any electricity.