Canoeing in Canada with Powerfilm Roll-Up

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System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
I need help. I bought a electric trolling motor for my canoe and PV's. Just need a battery and maybe a charge controller.

Here's what I bought so far:

Two PowerFilm Roll-up PV's 28W 1.8A 15.4V each. I will connect them in paralell with a daisy chain. http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/downloads/pdf/Rollable_Flysheet_LOWRES.pdf
http://www.solar-world.com/PowerFilmRollable.htm

5 speed 12V Minn Kota trolling motor, Max. current draw = 40amps. (I'll probably never go above 20amps or half speed.

I go conoeing in the summer, June to Sept, about 4 times in total. The rest of the year it's freezing cold. I usually go for 5 days at a time. I like paddling but I want to use the motor to go across the middle of the lake to save time instead of going around the shoreline. I'd use the motor for 3 hours a day max.

My plan is to drape the panels over my gear in the canoe and connect them to the battery. The battery should be no more than 55lbs and would sit in the bottom of the boat.

Can I connect the PV directly to the battery ? Do I need a controller ? What type should I look for ? Do I need a three stage controller?

Morningstar SunGuard ?
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/support/product.cfm?ProductId=8

Morningstar SunKeeper ?
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/support/product.cfm?ProductId=6

Prostar PS-15 ?
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/pro-star

PowerFilm RA 9 ?
http://store.sundancesolar.com/poacrachco.html

I think I need about a 100 Ah Batt. AGM or Flooded. The latter seems cheaper. How much maintenance will it require ? ie. filling etc. Is it worth it to go with AGM ?


Thanks to all who reply !
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
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    Re: Canoeing in Canada with Powerfilm Roll-Up

    i don't think it'll work at all because you have a 40a max draw for a max time of 3hrs/day and that equates to a total of 120ah max there's no way that small pv would ever even come close to replacing that for 1 day's usage even if given a week to recharge it. for 120ah/day this would also more than kill a 100ah battery and batteries should not be drawn down beyond the 50% dod point. more batteries would also weigh more too so you may need to rethink doing it under these requirements imho.
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