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 Solar battery chargers		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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frejoh
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/28/2016 :  14:36:34  Show Profile
On a separate thread about replacing our battery, solar chargers came up. Are they expensive? Is the set-up complicated? Does it add a long task to the lengthy process of closing up and securing at the end of the day? Any recommendations for make, model and source?
Fred Johnson
250 WK #669

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3408 Posts
Response Posted - 03/28/2016 :  16:58:10  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage
For trickle charging one battery, you can get away with with a very simple setup with a solar panel that just puts out 5 watts. For 5 watts, you don't need a solar controller since the trickle charging just about matches what the battery loses daily without using it for any loads. If you are going to use the battery for light loads such as fish finder while sailing and some use of the cabin lights and/or nav lights, you will then need a minimum of 10 watts to recharge the battery and maintain it's by trickle charging once it is fully charged. A solar panel of 10 watts would require a solar controller to ensure you do not cook the battery from overcharging it. Solar controllers, simple ones can cost ~ $40 or less...or buy one witht more features/capabilities such as digital readouts, then they can cost well over $100. Solar panels - They can also range in cost based on rated amps/watts and if rigid, flexible/roll-up configuration and How the crystals are arranged. But to keep it simple - The rigid panels cost more but take up less of a footprint compared to the flex types for same wattage. The rigid ones generally have a much longer warranty. Getting back to the solar panel ratings - For a one battery setup, a 5 watt panel is only good for trickle charging to maintain a battery against it's natural loss of .25 amps/day in the winter and ~.4 or .5 amps/day in the summer. A 10 watt panel is fine for light loads and trickle charging but you need a solar controller. If you are going to be using a boom box in addition to some use of the cabin lights, nav lights and fish finder each week, then you may need at least a 15 watt or higher rated panel. For a 2 batteries, double the above solar panel recommendations.

I have 2 batteries. I have an electric start Honda 9.9hp but it has a 12 amp charger, though, oftentimes I only use the outboard to get in and out of the marina with occasional longer runs when the wind dies. I use my batteries for occasional cabin lights, and nav lights and always for the fish finder. Once in awhile, I will run a small boom box off the batteries. I have a 20 watt Kyocera rigid panel that puts out a max of 1.2 amps but averages .8 to .4 amps for at least 5 hrs on sunny days. I have a high end digital readout solar controller made by Morningstar (Pro 15M). My solar panel has been installed since 2005 and works great. The original batteries lasted over 7 yrs and I wound up replacing them a bit early...probably could have gotten another year or so out of them (but that is another story to tell). I keep my boat in the water all year-round and the batteries were never taken off the boat for recharging.

More details of my setup including photos are on my website Look for link on left side of opening page.
Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html
Edited by - OLarryR on 03/28/2016 17:06:44
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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts
Response Posted - 03/30/2016 :  06:16:12  Show Profile
I have a Solarex 10w panel permanently mounted on the stern rail, installed by the PO. I use a group 24 sized battery. I called the Solarex when I purchased the boat because there was no controller, the solid panel was direct wired to the battery, they told me I didn't need one with the 10w. I've not had a problem with overcharging.
1998 250WK #331
CILCIA
Steve
Pensacola, FL
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frejoh
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts
Response Posted - 03/30/2016 :  08:55:11  Show Profile
Is it practical to have a non-permanent mounting, so that I could set up the panel to charge while anchored or docked and away from the boat, but stow while underway? What is the best place to buy a panel and controller?
Fred Johnson
250 WK #669
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5881 Posts
Response Posted - 03/30/2016 :  09:10:22  Show Profile
Solar battery maintainers on Ebay. Before you buy, compare prices on Amazon and elsewhere. Battery Maintainers
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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TEM58
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
113 Posts
Response Posted - 03/30/2016 :  14:51:15  Show Profile
Yes, you can get a mount kit that will clamp to the rail or you could set up a flexible panel that just velcros on somewhere. Recommend that you find a spot that's out of the way and leave it installed however-- but don't forget to adjust the angles as the season changes. I have a 10 watt panel clamped to the stern rail that I leave in place.

Here's some basic info to help you get started: http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/DIY-Charging-With-Solar-Panels

As suggested, shop around for the best price.
Tim M
“Perfect Match II”
2003 C350 #35
Cruising FL
PO "Wine Down"
2000 C250 WK #453
PO "Perfect Match"
1983 C25 SR/SK #3932
Lake Belton
Belton, TX
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.