T&T: solar cells

[Ken Bloomfield]

For all the worriers that the solar cell idea is to puny, it should be 
just fine.  Here's why that is the case:

   1. My Brower dinghy lift with 800 lb capacity is breakered at 50 amps.
   2. I can easily lift my dinghy to the top of my 50' boat in one
      minute, drop in same.
   3. I never come close to popping the breaker.
   4. So, the math is as follows:

Assume it takes the full 50 amperes (which it doesn't)  for 2 minutes, 
then it uses 50amps x 0.0333 hours = 1.6 amp hour for a typical raise 
and lower.

To replace the power used in a 4 hour period (sunny enough hours to 
drive the solar cells), and you get > 1.6 amp/hour div. by  4 hours = 
0.4 amps for 4 hours (or 0.266 for 6 hours, etc), (granted you would 
need a bit more than this, but for a quick calc, just use it) so:

This would require a solar cell array with a capacity of 0.4 amps x 12 
volts = 4.8 watts. Throw financial caution to the wind and buy a 10 watt 
panel for around $125 and your in electrical fat city.  Remember that as 
far as the high momentary current drain, the storage battery will do 
exactly that.  It will store the little sips of current and deliver them 
in the necessary gush when required.  Like most lenders, it just wants 
them back over time with a little interest.

I can easily understand why this would be desirable, to prevent punching 
holes and running long wire runs entailing lots of potential damage and 
leakage potential to an upper deck.  Go for it!

Ken Bloomfield
M/V Tellico Lady
50' Marine Trader, Walkaround
Maryville, TN