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baby solar panel question

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/25/2003 : 15:41:46

<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/03800-03899/03897.gif" border=0>Bought this at Harborfreight today, thought for $10. it might be a good idea for trickle charging the batteries. Anybody think it is a total waste? I've read all the threads on solar and I figured it can't hurt as a inexpensive supplement. Just wondering if it is a total waste of time, and instead use the $10 toward chip and beer<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Suzie
Tropical Sleigh WB#619
Sarasota FL.

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2003 : 15:44:37

<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/44700-44799/44768.gif" border=0>Actually it was this unit, with cig. lighter plug. (That in itself is a mystery for me)

Suzie
Tropical Sleigh WB#619
Sarasota FL.

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2003 : 14:24:03

Suzie, Without knowing what the unit's output is, it is hard to tell you anything. Check the box or directions that came with it. Or you can use a multimeter to check the voltage output while in direct sun. From the looks of the photo the output is probably very small. Enough to keep a battery charged but not enough to bring a depleted battery back to full charge in a reasonable amount of time. I have a Flexable Solar panel the puts out 21 volts and 10 watts in full sun. In my limited knowledge, voltage divided by watts equals amps. Amp hours is what you what to put back into your battery, stored energy, and batteries are rated in how many potential amp hours they store. Using this formula I have .5 amps charging back into my batteries. My combined batteries are about 180 amp hours. Say I drain my batteries by half in a weekend. To fully recharge those lost 90 amps I will need 180 hours of full direct sun. Figuring on 8 good hours per day of peak charging I will be lucky to have a recharge in 22.5 days. You can see how a smaller solor panel would have a very difficult time. So the question is whether it is worth the effort? I think yes because I very seldom use that much battery up and if you don't have access to shore power you have no other choice. Sorry if I rambled, hope this helps.

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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bill bosworth
Navigator

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USA
172 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2003 : 22:10:43

Suzie;
I also looked at that solar pannel. I think I'll opt to a larger one, at least 5watts. I have a small pannel similar, but not the same as the one that you got, I've used it for a couple of years. We have no shore power at our dock, so the charger on the engine, about 10 watts, and the solar pannel are all we have (we use the engine very sparingly). We don't use a lot of battery power, lights, depth sounder, and have never had any problem with the battery, I checked it at the end of the season and it was fully charged. Sooooooo, unless you use a lot of battery power, it might be sufficient.
Bill, c250wb #134 Serendipity

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Robert
1st Mate

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USA
75 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2003 : 14:06:09

Suzie;
I looked at a similar panel but opted for a BatterySaver Plus Pro 5 Watt(West Marine)instead. I have two group 27 batteries loacated under the V birth that are connected via a Perko 2 stage battery selector switch (located uner the table) and a 20+ amp multistage Xantrex charger that is located under the sink. I can charge my batteries from my motor or from a shore power connection located in the combing compartment via a dedicated a shore power cord and a 20 amp plug on my trailer pad when I am on the hard. Unfortunatly, I don't have shore power at my slip on Whiskeytown lake so I must rely on my solar panel and my motor to keep my charge up. Fortunatly, the lake has very long hours of sunlight and I monitor my battery charge with a 12vDC swich panel tester/lighter test switch. The 5 Watt panel seems to be enough. I alternate my solar panel between the two batteries. I would recommend at least a 5Watt panel and it is not that much more expensive.

2WX@55

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 23:16:11

Thanks for the advise, gonna upgrade to 5 watts. I think in the long run it will be a better choice.

Suzie, Tropical Sleigh
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3da07b3127cce96a441e875780000001010" border=0>
WB #619 Sarasota FL.

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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.