CAPTCRUNCH":2h231ujc said:
I want to put about 16 watts of 120v LED lights on my moored 2013 R27 and have the set-up be self-tending 24/7 for the next 4 weeks. I have 2 brand-new 110Ah AGM house batteries, a 2000 watt KISAE inverter, and the stock solar panel. My plan is to connect the lights to the inverter through a photo cell/timer that turns on at dusk and off 4 or 6 hours later. Am I right that I'll have plenty of power? Should I be concerned about running the inverter constantly for 25 days or so. Will it work? Thanks.
6 hours * 16 watts of lights = -96 watts/day for the lights.
24 hours * 10 watts (for the inverter) = -240 watts/day.
Total: 240 + 96 = 336watts/day needed.(-28 Ah/day)
I would guesstimate the 145 watt solar panel to deliver 75% of that, times 3.84 (low average Sun/day for Maryland).
145 watts * 75% efficiency * 3.84 sun per day = 417 watts. (+35Ah/day)
Your brand new house bank with two 110Ah batteries, using only 45% of them (safe limits) will give you 99Ah.
Summary:
Christmas Lights need -28Ah/day.
Solar Panel would put in +35Ah/day (assuming average sun).
The above looks promising but does not take into account any other electrical loads on the boat, such as bilge pumps (minor, hopefully!). If you have a refrigerator running, this math won't work at all. (expect about 35Ah/day for just the cabin refer).
I know on my boat, with the refer's turned off, it still pulls 8 watts, 24/7. That's another -16Ah/day.
Maybe battery powered (like AA or AAA kind of lights) would work better. Using the inverter for LED lights via AC seems excessive. Or better yet, 12v DC LED lights might be a better option.
