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Solar charger advice

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karentc
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/25/2006 : 09:40:49

Hi again!
Since I am going to be at a mooring this summer (sold the slip to pay bills while unemployed this winter- new use for a boat slip!) instead of in a slip I am a little nervous about my batteries being able to support my addiction to all things electrical... I have two big marine batteries (and a newer Honda 8 with electic start hooked up to one of them) and I would like to make sure that they are topped off but not overcharged. I remember that there were several options mentioned previously but has anyone worked the bugs out of solar charging?? Is there a cost effective and safe setup that I can put out when I am off the boat to keep the batteries topped off yet not mess them up???
Again, any advice is appreciated!!!
Thanks so much!!!
Karen :)

Karen Christensen
Moondance, #5465 1986 C-25, SR, FK, Honda 8
Traverse City, Michigan

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 15:58:34

Karen -

My slip neighbor with a C25 has one of the small solar panels hooked directly to one of his two batteries and swears by it (not at it). He doesn't have a shore power connection so relies on the solar charger and says in the 4 years he's had it, it's never let him down.

So, I bought one today ($35/West Marine)and will hook it up tonight or over the weekend. Comes with battery clips and a 12v outlet plug. I plan on hooking it directly to one of the batteries.

I have heard that if the whole panel isn't directly in the sunlight, it will/can limit the charging effectiveness. And, of course, we're in South Florida where sunshine is abundant and direct - at least when we're between hurricanes

- so not sure how effective it would be in the less intense, less constant Michigan sun.

Steve

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 21:16:30

Karen,
I have 2 deep cycle batteries and 2-8W solar panels. (I only use the second if I'm staying multiple days) The outboard is electric start and charges the battery a little when I'm running back and forth to the slip. I have lots of electric stuff, ie. auto-tiller, VHF, GPS, CD player etc, The solar panel keeps the batterys up with no problems. I lived on board 5 days, running anchor lights and cabin lights and watching movies with a portable DVD player. No problems with power, so I give a thumbs up to the solar panel.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 21:37:08

Karen,

You can check my website for solar panel and controller details. I used the Morningstar Pro 15M controller which prevents overcharging the batteries and has a digital readout for the battery voltage.

Your earlier posting asked about LED lights. I just installed a 2 Nautical Mile Coast Guard approved LED anchor light. It is made by OGM and also contains a photodiode for shutting it off when the sun comes up in the morning. It uses between .15 & .20 amps/hr versus the original light that used approximately .87 amps/hr. LED Anchor light website - https://secure.orcagreen.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16142&cat=0&bestseller

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 07:33:38

Hi Steve, do you have a name and modle number for the $35.00 panel? I can not find anything matching that price in the book. Cheers.

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 08:14:08

West Marine # 7092752

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 08:22:02

don't foget to follow the link to WM in the links page..

(support the association)

Paul

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 08:35:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 don't foget to follow the link to WM in the links page..

(support the association)

Paul

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Darn, darn, darn! Forgot to do that again! There's a West Marine directly across the street from my condo complex and it's just habit to go over there when I need something. Mea Culpa.

Steve

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 12:23:24

Karen:

Speaking of West Marine:

three sources of information in response to your question

1. go to a store and ask
2. get a catalog and read their Adviser on solar panels
3. get the Adviser online

WM has always had a great set of Advisors on almost all things related to boats. I recently went through all my old saved catalogs from 1989 (due to a bathroom remodel!!!

which required me to throw out all the old catalogs) and cut out some to save in my electrical binder.

Good material and usually a good "first place to look before asking" source.

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 05/26/2006 12:25:00

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 20:32:57

Thanks for the number Rick. Cheers.

Edited by - on

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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.