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Jared
1st Mate

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USA
70 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/29/2004 : 20:42:19

I thought it over and decided that I was probably going to forgo the alternator on the new outboard motor and just put on a solar panel to charge the battery.

Does anyone have any experience with any of the products and suggestions. From my reading of the previous posts, etc., it seems that I could get by on a 10 watt panel to charge both of my batteries. Probably put a little regulator as well. Do I need a special attachment or something to charge 2 batteries, or do I just split the wire, or run it in parallel, or hook it to the 1-2-both switch?

All I have seen is what they have a West Marine and it looks like the Siemens product makes the most sense, but I am just not sure. What is anyone else using with success?

Jared Jamison
86 C25 #5354 FK/TR "Saba Rocks" Richmond, VA

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2004 : 00:24:45

Jared,

In addition to taking advantage of this excellent source of opinions here, you might want to read what West Marine has to say in their West Advisors about solar panels and various schemes for combining batteries. Speaking of which, the traditional [OFF/1/BOTH/2] battery selector switch has fallen out of vogue of late. There are more automatic ways to accomplish the desired effect, especially if you don't need electric start back-up.

For charging more than one battery from a single source, I use battery combiners. West Marine sort of has an exclusive on the best ones, but it's possible to buy reconditioned ones directly from the manufacturer for about 1/2 price. I suggest you read up on these -- they're pretty cool.

I use a pair of UniSolar 10w or 11w flexible solar panels. These are nearly indestructable, and have a peak open circuit voltage over 20V which means they will produce at least some charge even under partial light conditions. You'll note that below a certain ratio of solar power to battery capacity, a regulator isn't required.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2004 : 00:40:09

I use 2 United Solar Flexible 11 watt panels. These put out 0.65 amps each, at about 22 volts in direct sunlight. I can give you a link to get them mail order here in San Diego for $99 (they are cosmetic seconds).

I use the voltage regulator, it sells for $30. This limits voltage to 14.5 volts. Since I have gel batteries (very sensitive to over voltage) I bought the regulator.

Even though the panels put out about 22 volts with no load, when you connect them to your batteries (which are at, say, 12.5 volts) the system voltage comes up to about 12.75 and climbs throughout the day (as the bank charges) to 13.5 or so.

If you were getting a couple of panels to use for cruising and had gel or AGM batteries, I'd get the regulator. If you are just going to throw one 11 watt panel on the boat and leave it hooked up all week to keep the wet cell batteries topped off you could probably get by without it (but check the water frequently).

By the way, the flexible panel is the way to go. It's laminated on a vinyl backing, and can be partly rolled up, and is so tough you can walk on it. I bungee cord mine to the boom and run a wire down into the salon. When not in use I toss them in the quarter berth.

http://www.solarelectric.com

Edited by - JimB517 on 01/30/2004 13:36:38

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2004 : 14:17:04

Jared, My boat lives on a Sierra Nevada foothill lake in Central California. I have a 11 watt flexable solar panel that keeps 2 marine batteries fully charged year around. No regulater, just a 3 way battery combiner. It doesn't even boil away the battery fluid. I haven't plugged into marina power for 2 years. Of course we don't see rain and few clouds from June to September. I have an alternator on my Yamaha 9.9 but it would need to run for a long time to do much in recharging depleted batteries.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2004 : 23:22:49

I have had a 30 watt solar panel mounted on the foredeck hatch of #1205 since 1997 and it has always been enough to keep the battery topped up, except on extended trips to the San Juans, where the boat is in use evey day for two weeks with the radios, GPS, and sounder running all day, and my CPAP all night. On the last San Juan trip, I had the battery go dead twice and had to charge it overnight from shorepower (which is usually an extra fee over and above the berthing fee in the San Juan and Gulf Islands

). I figure two 30 watt panels would have been enough, and I will probably buy two for the new boat next spring. I agree with Leon and Jim that the UniSolar flexible panels are a good choice for our boats.

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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.