Sail Life - 1600W of solar☀ on a 38 ft sailboat & re-stepping the mast⛵
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- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2024
- This week we installed 1600W of solar on our 38 ft sailboat. We're using four 400W Sunpower solar panels. Those are connected to two Victron Energy 100/30 MPPT charge controllers. Also, this week, we get the mast re-stepped and take care of a few other projects. Time codes below :)
Victron Energy MPPT sizing calculator: www.victronenergy.com/mppt-ca...
00:00 Intro
01:01 Installing solar panels
02:22 Sliding mechanism
03:58 Design error
04:11 Dyneema cross brace
05:36 Wiring the arch
07:10 Stepping the mast
08:55 Parallel vs series
10:39 Panel voltage
11:58 MPPT charger controllers
13:26 Wiring the solar panels
15:23 Juice baby, juice!
16:11 Does the new coax and antenna work?
16:50 Next week
17:51 Cya!
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I was part of a family boat / marina in the USA. From 1968 - 2012 the business was a dealer for many products such as Perkins, Westerbeke, Yanmar, Universal the list goes on but I won’t bore you. We where ABYC compliant, all of the staff went to training for this. We as a company installed Electronics, experts in all kinds of wood work, stainless steel fabrication, Awl- Grip, Emron. We where a full service facility !
I have been watching your videos on RUclips since you started this project and have to tell you of all the channels I have watched you are by far the most professional. Most channels try to teach their viewers how to perform repairs with very little if any experience if any.
In all your videos I have never viewed you giving incorrect information which is very rare.
Please keep up the good work and also keep the videos coming not only are the entertaining but I’m sure for most boat owners you are very helpful in their upgrades & repairs.
All The Best
Todd Abrahamsson
I'll tidy it up later".......the voice of every DIY'er. (Large grin on my face)
Mads, regarding that sideways flex on the arch; A couple of "inside angle curved" corner plates welded to the bars would stop the flex AND keep the lion's share of the space behind the arch wide open. Imagine an 8-10 cm triangle in stainless steel with two sides welded to the upper and side bars, and then with a slightly curved inner side to make it more aesthetically pleasing to look at. You could even add a couple "stiffening holes" in the plate for "spiffiness" and to aid the stress distribution. A bit of "Oh Glorious Polishing" and they will be extra super spiffy AND extra super stiff.
Agreed. The dyneema brace is the first dodgy thing I've seen on this boat. Lets hope he sees the error and does a proper job. The other option is to double the stern hoop following the same shape adding horizontal tube between the inner and outer, (including your corner braces)
the problem is he needs a triangle at the base, lateral movement is only absorbed by the backing plate of the arch/hull connection and that can't be stiff enough given how long the moment arm is, ~2m .. a stop sign configuration as viewed from the stern would work with nice polished (oh glorious polishing) stainless gussets and a much larger backing plate.. those panels are a huge wing..
@@jonunya3128 Good point.
One thing I'd say in regards to your solar explanation is that the voltage drop loss isn't just lost. Conservation of energy dictates that the energy is instead, converted. In this case it is converted into heat which on a boat in particular is no bueno. Great video as usual.
As usual, supercool!) Athena is looking like 007 James Bond action. Truly tech genius!) Cheers!)
Just as you made the jerry can bar, make 4 shorter ones to brace the top corners of the solar panel support archway... That'll strengthen it up well and not block the passage like the dynema cross does. + More permanent and looks like it "fits in" with the rest of the installation.
Agree with corner bracing suggestion - also potentially good hand holds perhaps. As always Mads a good report.
I'll second that. My first thought was to weld in some gussets but your idea is both easier and better.
First thing that sprung to my mind, was fit a gusset.
I’m certain mads will update that cross brace, but couldn’t wait to get his free sun electrons!
@@lantienpeng pixies
Mads, I might be to late to suggest that while the mast is down, add a couple drop down mast steps near the top so in future if you need to work on the top of the mast, you can stand on the steps to get yourself above the top. Easier to work like that then sitting in the chair.... sorry for the late thought....
Love the bow cam :-). Good morning from Spring Green, Wisconsin USA
I think you should leave the cross bracing on the solar panel supports all the time. You could get wind or bad weather when your in a marina or at anchor.
They look really good and I'd leave them just for piece of mind and not worrying every time the wind blows when your trying to sleep. Or worrying every time someone is getting on or off the boat and may slip bending or breaking the supports .The solar panels look amazing ,you never cease to amaze me with your thought process and top notch builds.
The pulpit mounted cmera gave a unique view that I've never seen before. Very creative!
I was thinking the same thing. Hopefully the angle can also show forward as well. It would be interesting as well to see “what boat” sees from the deck… or the top of the mast
the solar tower looks like the spoiler from a plymouth super bird
Our jerry cans wore through the nonslip deck paint. Put hand rails on each side of the arch. Works for us.
I think the lifting effect of wind when either two or four big panels are flying will be very significant in a big wind.
I just had a moment... I am still playing catchup on your rebuild so there are a fair few spoilers in here for me, but I could not wait to see how you did this.. at 2.24 I had to pause the video.. you are in my old home town!! Hope you are enjoying the wonders that it has to offer (I remember correctly these would be the 2 roads that take you away from the town... :) )
Well done Mads! 💪💪💪&🧠🧠🧠
Well Mads and Ava, you have absolutely nothing to worry about re the content and style of sailing as opposed to DIY. This was a fantastic mix and a sailing channel that actually showed sailing🙄😂. If you get your drone videos half as good as Dom form Cadoha you'll be doing great. Oh, Ava, I'm loving the style with the neckerchief, it really suits you. Looking forward to next week's adventures. Stay safe
Great choice in Multi meter brand, I love my Fluke 88. Best meter I've ever used.
As noted by others, you need corner bracing at the top and bracing at the bottom ties into the deck. Based on the angle of the arch, I would suggest that you add a forward brace on both sides.
This guy has a big brain
No man is more at ease than when playing with his own toys.
To be honest although I do miss Ava it's nice to see you all alone on the video again😃
We don't need no stinkin' door handles, we still have a half roll of tape to get rid of....LoL stay safe, Tim and Cat
There is a gnawing in my gut that says you might be addressing that solar arch wobble again. Looking forward to next week!
Prolly temporary until they do the crossing. If he welds two gussets in the top corners, that'd do'er.
@@aserta Yeah, kinda what I was thinking. So many other things to do and with a workable solution at hand, it's probably the correct choice. They know their priorities better than we do.
Your slide out panels are a great idea,and your SS supports and wiring are a work of art. Design and installation, as always great!!
I just delete youtube. They control what's said. Buy anti freedom youtube.
The level of education coming from your channel is so rewarding for all. Many thanks.
I love it… I hope you never have a lightening strike!
Been following you since you brought this sailing boat and sailed it home, if I remember with the flu. It's become a weekend tradition to watch this on YT.
Nice fix for the arch but do remember to protect them from chafe where they cross
Ha, did the same type of cross bracing on my boats diy solar rig. However i moved up the cross and installed additional metal braces as it was getting in the way during docking a lot. Amazing ammount of solar though. You gave me a great idea for a future project and the higher voltage is a great tip. Thanks. Hope to see you on the water some day.
I love how you made your sliding solar arch... Brilliant... No worries for the movement. You'll figure a permanent fix... Your a brilliant couple an I have no doubt everything will be tickety boo..✌🏼💗😊❣️
I have that Victron MPPT 100|30 on my boat, installed it 3 years ago.
I absolutely love it. Went from a Windy Nation PWM, and the difference was night and day, it gave me about 5x as much charging.
In the summer in the Pacific North West, with a pair of 100W panels, I have had days where it has made around a KW.
_"I have that Victron MPPT 100|30 on my boat, _*_installed_*_ _*_it_*_ _*_3_*_ _*_years_*_ _*_ago_*_ ..."_
So how much experience do you really have with that set up? I mean, you've been on the hard living on your boat for the past *two* years, plugged into yard power.
Instead of the ‘bottle’ screws on the dyneema, perhaps some kind of ‘over centre’ type of tensioner which would make removal and refitting much easier and quicker.
Super cool to see the ePropulsion Spirit Mads! My 15 year old son and I finished our business plan today and we’ll be at the notary Tuesday to start a business distributing these in The Netherlands. We have two ePropulsion Evo 3.0 pods on our catamaran and we just love this product! Feel free to get in touch if you need any help.
Like Alan wrote: all decent solar panels have bypass diodes for each string of cells within a panel. This means that series connection outperforms parallel because you only loose shaded segments instead of the whole panel. Combined with other gains for series connection, it becomes the preferred option.
Starship Athena is really coming along.
Wow 1600W of solar is formidable, and I love your idea of the stowable panels!!! I'd still be slightly concerned about the weight of all those panels so far aft and high up from a boat-handling perspective, but I'm sure you've thought of that. Glad you added the Dyneema cross braces - they are certainly more than adequate for the job!
Your boat looks fantastic! I remember when you first got that Warrior, compared to now, AWESOME. GOOD JOB.
Great thinking outside the box. I pick up things for myself watching you.👍
I have been watching for years, you have done great with the rebuild!! But that's Solar Arch is going to catch wind & cause havoc until it rips off, when it does act quickly to cut it free!
an anglegrinder in galeforce would make for a great video
OMG Mas, your knowledge of everything electrical is mind blowing. I don’t understand most of it but it’s interesting and I love to watch. Thanks.
I would mive that dyneema cross brace to port as far as possible. It will still add enough rigidity, but will be lot less in a way.
UPD corner bracing idea is much better.
looks great and should be great once the weather gets better. thanks for sharing and have a great week see you on next Sunday's video
Cool. Poooowwwwwaaaa...... awesome job
To brace the solar arch, you could make some stainless tubing braces that bolt/clamp to the arch below the solar panels to triangulate it.
Mads you have certainly gained a lot more confidence wrangling the ANGRY PIXIES
When you have panels in series and one is in shade, the bypass diode(s) bypass the panel or the parts of the panel when multiple diodes are fitted. You get quite a bit more power from a series connected system as it reaches a working voltage more often in marginal conditions.
There is a big reduction in all of the other series connected panels, regardless of the bypass diode action. Even placing your hand on one panel does it. That does not occur with other panels if in parallel, at all. In his application I don’t see how partial shade is going to happen out in the open except from the ships own mast.
Great episode as always Mads. When you do your door handles you could perhaps construct a super spiffy little piece of trim for the grab pole coming out of the nav table😉. 👍
That was a lot of work you got done Mads. Hope Ava is back and well with all of the issues going on right now. Athena now has a set of wings she can unfold. Take care and have a great week ahead.
Nice work Mads. Great to see the solar energy flowing, a big step for Athena’s ability to stay out in remote areas longer. I see another new project for the list (and the sewing machine)…canvas covers for the plastic fuel containers on the deck (ala the kind Drake has). Sea Yoo next week !!
Thanks 😀 Funny you should mention the ones Drake has that's exactly what I was picturing 🙂
@@SailLife I now think you have this covered, but I was concerned that a single horizontal strap would let the cans go straight up and then overboard.
@@markbernier8434 I was thinking the same thing. Need something holding them down, or a loop through the handles.
Nice work Mads. Really enjoy the channel. The solar panels are, for lack of a better word, exciting. Generating power in that way is so satisfying. Thanks for the videos.
Okay I deserve that little kickback in regards to the door knobs I keep talking about. You guys are doing an awesome job keep up the great work see you next weekend.
I like the clean foredeck look LOL
Thank you Mads for another video packed with lots of valuable information. 👍
Thank you. always fun to watch
Good work as usual 👍🏻👍🏻
Congratulations!
See you
Recently I happened across this channel and cannot get enough. Excellent content.
Excellent!
Great video!
Another great video Mads .
As always looking forward to next week.
Things are looking great! Thanks for sharing. :)
Love your projects
To reinforce the solar arch, perhaps some curved corner braces would do the job and take up less space than the cross stays. Even at anchor the arch needs to be secure.
A lot of progress!!!
A lot of good work :-) Great show.
Fantastic transformation for a weeks work.😀⛵️👍
I ❤⛵👍🏾
An excellent video among scores of great videos. Thank you.
Great work guys!! Looking forward to this coming summer of videos
Hi Mads, I think you need to loose the term 'good-old-Athena'! With all the work & upgrades you have accomplished (and accomplished extremely well), I would suggest Athena has never felt better. Soooooooo, perhaps the term should be 'The New Re-built Athena'! Super boat & super job!!! S.V. Salty Paws (Don & Dawn) in Guatemala (40-ft cat).
Very interesting, Mads. Love how you explained everything so clearly.
Always chock full of good and useful information. Thanks PBH
Glad to see those solar pnls finally connected! Good job.
Congratulations on the solar! We all know it was a major project for your refit.
Liked the vid like always 🤷♂️
Hi mads what a brilliant video this week. Loved the sound track and the whole experience. Great job guys x
very good idea that the 2 panels fit under the other two... well done! I am also amazed at the power of the dynema braces.. indeed it works well, well done!! great work as usual... congratulations.
Solar up and running, that’s exciting!
Pure High Tech ... very impressed to see what kind of gadgets you can add to Athena 🙂
Well done, and thanks for the tutorial on solar power. Every little bit helps. Thanks again.
Good stuff
Don't get lonely thanks for your video
Dump the Dynema and weld in bracing across the corners, no more blocking the stern space, it will get in the way as is.
Spiffing work, keep it going both of you ,
What an electrifying episode 👍👍
The entire series is electrifying, from ground up. It's without parallel
Very productive week Mads! Nice to have the panels fitted and working!
wow - WHAT A WEEK! Congrats on all that work getting done.... ur like the only sailing channel able to accomplish all that in a week!
Oooo can you talk about your NAS in an episode? I want to create a little LAN network using a small router and maybe a raspberrypi NAS with SD cards if possible.
Great work Mads ... so much progress! Great shot (timelapse) looking back from the bow.
its a great feeling when you make your own power hey :) Looking so cool man!
Great stuff, you and Ava do an awesome job on your boat. It is allways very satiesfying seeing you smile when somethings works out as expected. ;)
I think all you would need to do is add some ss gussets up at the top of the arch support. That should prevent side to side movement. (welded would be best)
Really enjoy your videos, you must have one of the most smart sailboats out there.
Solar panels.....UK...mmmmm, hope you aren't hoping to come to Scotland, if you are, Summer is normally on a Wednesday. :-)
Gone with the wynns done a really good video on series and parallel with demonstrations ... keep up the good work
Adding some stainless gussets or short pieces of 3/4" tube on the corner bends & joints should eliminate that flex without those ropes & will look much more pleasing. I was surprised they weren't installed on the initial build. Door handle next week WAHOOOOO no more tape! 😜
man, you should install a pulley mechanism with some kind of rope to deploy and retract the solar panels
Amazing set up on the solar. I can only dream of that much solar. Andy UK