Let the sun shine brightly!

6 - 8 amps, that's what the solar panels are pumping into the batteries. When both fridges kick in (I have a small fridge to keep my bait fresh) the voltage drops by about 4 amps and while the sun beats down on the panels we never have a negative reading. We have a 240volts system and I know that comments from other boaters who are on 12 volts, say that they can get nearly 12amps out of the panels. So for three days now we haven't had to run the engine. The saving on diesel, especially if the summer is a good 'un, will be worth every penny spent on the three panels, although at the time I thought them a tad expensive. What helps massively is the twist and tilt action of the frame Ian made. We can follow the sun round no matter where we moor.

You can just make out the turntable (photo taken at Langley during the winter)

 So with us away to Christine all day we knew the engine would probably stay silent. Ian laid the panels flat on the roof hoping that the sun would be high enough to continue charging the batteries. When we left at 9.30am the meter reading showed 92% charged. When we returned at 5.30pm it still showed 92%, So we lost no charge but didn't gain any either. Ian was still very happy with the reading considering how much of a draw on the batteries both fridges take. So now I bet your all wondering why we were at Christines all day. No she still hasnt had the baby but she has been getting twinges and a midwife appointment was booked just at the time Josh was due to be picked up from school. Grandad did the honours while I kept Christine company at the doctors. We spent our time clearing the garden of the rubbish that came out of Kev's shed, making several trips to the tip and then spent the afternoon weeding.  So we again kept her company until Kev arrived home at 4.30pm.