The new panels were not really new but were the original panels used to power the solar generator. They proved to not be adequate in late fall with a low sun angle and cloudier conditions, so I went to the fixed 400 watts of panels on the roof. But those fixed panels still fell short as I found out a year ago on Voyageurs NP. So I changed out my house battery from a 100 Ah Lead Acid to a 270 Ah Lithium Ion and transferred the solar cables to that house battery through a new controller (pictured previously). The house is now the primary power for the refrigeration. The original solar generator became a backup source of power for my refrigeration but I needed a new source of solar power. I checked to see if the dimensions would work for the top of the Bimini and they would. So, I constructed a light weight framework to hold the original portable panels. The new modifications worked fine on this trip and I never used the solar battery backup since the house was more than adequate in summer conditions. The real test would be on my fall trip. I can say after the fact that the house provided sufficient power this fall but I did have very favorable weather on the fall trip to Temagami. Posts for that trip will likely come in January with more details. Thanks for your continued loyalty in following along, it is appreciated!
Boy that was quick! I just posted. Struggled with this one. Lots of video that had to be cut, and then parts that I should have had video but batteries were dead, so no video. Had to work with it anyway. Thanks for commenting and for following along. Always appreciated!
The starter battery did get me through the trip but continued to deteriorate. The constant use kept it alive until I returned home. I replaced the battery for my next trip (Temagami). I did carry an emergency jump starter battery in case the starter battery failed to start the engine. I can also pull start this motor, if it comes to that. However, the starter battery is also the main source of power for all my helm navigation, running lights, spot lights, etc. I would have had to jury rig something to run from either my solar generator, or the house battery if the starter battery completely died. Fortunately that did not happen. Again, thanks for your comments!
love your channel, a couple of questions 1: would you build a copy of your boat for another retired older fella,for money of course 2. I believe you use a jon boat would like to no more about your construction 3. What is the size of your motor 4. How come you never fish for Walleye, or for any type of fishing 5. What is the range of your boat at 6 knots Thanks
1. I did not build this boat but extensively modified it for my purposes and continue to do so. There is more information on this in "The Build" playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLO3oVPdIOH5cCRAEdHm8MF7vZo0fmBgTs.html 2. Yes, it is a 24' Sea Ark jon boat, but for those building I recommend the 26' model. Again, see "The Build" playlist. 3. In many of the videos the motor is visible. It is a 60 hp Yamaha, but a smaller motor would work just fine since weight will not allow you to plane this boat as equipped. 4. I do fish occasionally, but it is not my passion. When I fish, I fish for anything I can catch. I am more interested in exploring new places, hiking, and kayaking. Fishing for me is primarily for eating. On my Nipigon trip I caught mostly northern pike, and white fish. 5. Range depends on the fuel capacity, engine RPM, and wind/wave direction. I have two semi-permanent tanks (9 gal. each) and three auxiliary tanks I carry under the helm seat (6 gal. each). I only carry what I need for a particular trip. With full fuel running around 2900-3000 RPM I can get in the neighborhood of 175 miles. The longest trip was Nipigon at 136 miles. Since I'm generally in wilderness areas keep at least a 10% reserve. Miles per gallon varies but is around 5. Thanks for your comment and questions!
The solar panels do not power only one battery. The 400 watts on the cabin roof charge a large single 230Ah li-ion battery (2944 Wh). The 240 watts of panels on the Bimini (a recent addition) charge a separate Bluetti AC200P (2000Wh). I also have another backup Li-ion battery 100Ah (1280Wh) in case it's needed. This system works very well in typical conditions in northern latitudes. The outboard has it's own lead acid battery and charging system. You can't mix LA and lithium batteries without special equipment. Which I do have, but found it did not work well, so I disconnected the two systems. The sole purpose of the house lithium battery (2944Wh) is to run the fridge/freezer. The solar generator powers a Starlink Mini and charges drone, camera, and microphone batteries, and serves as backup to the house primarily in late fall cloudy conditions with low sun angles. It was not needed for backup last season and the third lithium battery (backup) was also never used. Thanks for the comment. Perhaps the additional information answers your question/concern. Be assured, it is not my first rodeo. For more information see this video in "The Build" series that covers Part 1 of the solar powered system: th-cam.com/video/Y8pQ0g1xPNY/w-d-xo.html. Part 2 has not been produced yet but will incorporate changes to the system described above. New changes for 2025 will include replacing the portable panels on the Bimini, one of which failed on my fall trip. I am in the process of building a new aluminum frame work to replace the wood framed one built for the two portable panels. TS
In fairness, there were a few cleats at the very end of the dock as you can see in the video. The ones closest to the launch end had been pulled out or removed for some reason, which I mentioned in the video. They just hadn't maintained the dock as well as they should have. I agree, it really makes it a lot more difficult than it has to be! Thanks for your comment!
I really like the new solar array Ted looks to Me like you'll have ample power to carry you through even with a couple of rainy or overcast days.
The new panels were not really new but were the original panels used to power the solar generator. They proved to not be adequate in late fall with a low sun angle and cloudier conditions, so I went to the fixed 400 watts of panels on the roof. But those fixed panels still fell short as I found out a year ago on Voyageurs NP.
So I changed out my house battery from a 100 Ah Lead Acid to a 270 Ah Lithium Ion and transferred the solar cables to that house battery through a new controller (pictured previously). The house is now the primary power for the refrigeration.
The original solar generator became a backup source of power for my refrigeration but I needed a new source of solar power. I checked to see if the dimensions would work for the top of the Bimini and they would. So, I constructed a light weight framework to hold the original portable panels.
The new modifications worked fine on this trip and I never used the solar battery backup since the house was more than adequate in summer conditions. The real test would be on my fall trip. I can say after the fact that the house provided sufficient power this fall but I did have very favorable weather on the fall trip to Temagami. Posts for that trip will likely come in January with more details.
Thanks for your continued loyalty in following along, it is appreciated!
Happy Halloween!! Handing out candy and watching a new shanty video going to be a great night!!
Boy that was quick! I just posted.
Struggled with this one. Lots of video that had to be cut, and then parts that I should have had video but batteries were dead, so no video. Had to work with it anyway.
Thanks for commenting and for following along. Always appreciated!
Second comment Ted other than the battery issue everything else looks ship shape always a pleasure to see your new posts, thanks as always
The starter battery did get me through the trip but continued to deteriorate. The constant use kept it alive until I returned home. I replaced the battery for my next trip (Temagami).
I did carry an emergency jump starter battery in case the starter battery failed to start the engine. I can also pull start this motor, if it comes to that.
However, the starter battery is also the main source of power for all my helm navigation, running lights, spot lights, etc. I would have had to jury rig something to run from either my solar generator, or the house battery if the starter battery completely died. Fortunately that did not happen.
Again, thanks for your comments!
love your channel, a couple of questions
1: would you build a copy of your boat for another retired older fella,for money of course
2. I believe you use a jon boat would like to no more about your construction
3. What is the size of your motor
4. How come you never fish for Walleye, or for any type of fishing
5. What is the range of your boat at 6 knots
Thanks
1. I did not build this boat but extensively modified it for my purposes and continue to do so. There is more information on this in "The Build" playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLO3oVPdIOH5cCRAEdHm8MF7vZo0fmBgTs.html
2. Yes, it is a 24' Sea Ark jon boat, but for those building I recommend the 26' model. Again, see "The Build" playlist.
3. In many of the videos the motor is visible. It is a 60 hp Yamaha, but a smaller motor would work just fine since weight will not allow you to plane this boat as equipped.
4. I do fish occasionally, but it is not my passion. When I fish, I fish for anything I can catch. I am more interested in exploring new places, hiking, and kayaking. Fishing for me is primarily for eating. On my Nipigon trip I caught mostly northern pike, and white fish.
5. Range depends on the fuel capacity, engine RPM, and wind/wave direction. I have two semi-permanent tanks (9 gal. each) and three auxiliary tanks I carry under the helm seat (6 gal. each). I only carry what I need for a particular trip. With full fuel running around 2900-3000 RPM I can get in the neighborhood of 175 miles. The longest trip was Nipigon at 136 miles. Since I'm generally in wilderness areas keep at least a 10% reserve. Miles per gallon varies but is around 5.
Thanks for your comment and questions!
One battery for all those solar panels ? Two to three lithium ion batteries minimum. One just for motor.
The solar panels do not power only one battery. The 400 watts on the cabin roof charge a large single 230Ah li-ion battery (2944 Wh). The 240 watts of panels on the Bimini (a recent addition) charge a separate Bluetti AC200P (2000Wh). I also have another backup Li-ion battery 100Ah (1280Wh) in case it's needed. This system works very well in typical conditions in northern latitudes.
The outboard has it's own lead acid battery and charging system. You can't mix LA and lithium batteries without special equipment. Which I do have, but found it did not work well, so I disconnected the two systems.
The sole purpose of the house lithium battery (2944Wh) is to run the fridge/freezer. The solar generator powers a Starlink Mini and charges drone, camera, and microphone batteries, and serves as backup to the house primarily in late fall cloudy conditions with low sun angles. It was not needed for backup last season and the third lithium battery (backup) was also never used.
Thanks for the comment. Perhaps the additional information answers your question/concern. Be assured, it is not my first rodeo.
For more information see this video in "The Build" series that covers Part 1 of the solar powered system: th-cam.com/video/Y8pQ0g1xPNY/w-d-xo.html.
Part 2 has not been produced yet but will incorporate changes to the system described above. New changes for 2025 will include replacing the portable panels on the Bimini, one of which failed on my fall trip. I am in the process of building a new aluminum frame work to replace the wood framed one built for the two portable panels. TS
Who builds a boat ramp without cleats????!!!!!
In fairness, there were a few cleats at the very end of the dock as you can see in the video. The ones closest to the launch end had been pulled out or removed for some reason, which I mentioned in the video. They just hadn't maintained the dock as well as they should have. I agree, it really makes it a lot more difficult than it has to be!
Thanks for your comment!