best solar panel

I'm new to sailing and to many of the systems required by a sail boat. That said, I would like to install 2 solar panels. I'm looking at Kyocera KD140SX-UFBS the low price on these makes me wonder if they are suitable for my marine use. I would also like to install a digital display charge controller and would like some recommendations.

Thanks
Mac

Mac,

I don't know about these specific panels, but I do know that there are LOTS of Kyocera panels in use by sailors. I'll be installing solar next summer (2014) and plan to use Kyocera.

You should get some good ideas here.

Mac - We currently have two Kyocera 85w panels and are in the process of adding two 140's to that. We originally went with Kyocera for the larger panels but were talked into Solarworld Sunmodule 140's by our local supplier, MTS in Deale, MD. They mentioned quality of construction and price but I think it's probably a push. For controllers we have two Blue Sky controls, each rated at 25 amps. Our boat was set up with one of these already when we bought it. The factory said you shouldn't mix different size panels on one controller and our total potential output for all four panels is 37 amps. We now have two Blue Sky controllers daisy chained together with a small remote readout mounted at the Nav Station. These controllers need to be mounted close to the batteries rather than the panels because they provide a boost which would be minimized over the longer wire length from the panels. Ours are mounted inside the Nav Station cabinet about 3' from our house bank (see photo).



The two 85's are currently mounted above the Bimini and supported by it's frame. We're having a more robust deck mounted frame built to support all four panels. Each panel will be able to tilt to get higher output through the day. The location over the Bimini is good because it minimizes shadows from the sails, boom and rigging. Even a small shadow on a panel can seriously reduce it's output.

Just for your info.....we've had our two 85w panels mounted on the Bimini frame in some pretty intense wind, sailing in 45 knots, plus several tropical storms and one hurricane at the dock. For the first T storm we took the panels down but left them up after that and didn't have any problems. They do get tied down to the frame to keep them horizontal. I think we'd take them down for anything more than 60 knot winds.

Tom Ward
IP420-35
"La Vida Dulce"

Thanks for the help,I was able to sort out several issues I was unsure of, mainly my ability. At this point I think it would be wise for me to find someone on the Texas coast and get an estimate for this work. Currently my plan is to mount two 140W panels on my Kato davits.

Thanks
Mac
IP350

Hayden, we are also thinking about adding solar panels to our IP380. Your installation of the 4 panels looks great - having had it in place for so long, would you do anything differently if you had it all to do over? We have considered an arch, but too expensive right now... also, considered the davits that appear to be the same as yours.... Any further advice is greatly appreciated...