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JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts
Initially Posted - 06/24/2005 :  11:37:05  Show Profile
I'm going to install a solar panel and charge controller to my boat. I am thinking about a Morningstar 20watt controller and a Duralite 20watt panel. I will be charging my battery and powering a GPS, AMFM radio, cabin and running lights. Any advice and comments will be greatly appreciated. Solar power is getting very reasonable these days with the entire project coming in under 300 bucks.
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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts
Response Posted - 06/25/2005 :  02:22:03  Show Profile
John, Nobody seems to be jumping in here, they must all be out sailing. The one thing that I would recommend to you is to add another battery if you only have one. You have twice the charging capacity that I have with your stated system but you will lack storage. With my two batteries I run all the same equipment that you do and I charge with my unregulated 11 watt flexable solar panel. The cabin lights, radio, running lights, etc. won't run off of the solar panel at night when there is no sun. That is when you will need the storage capacity. You might consider using a 10 or 11 watt solar panel with no need for a regulator and two batteries. Much simpler, plenty of power.
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frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts
Response Posted - 06/25/2005 :  05:44:48  Show Profile
JohnMD, I have a similar system as Ed. I use a 10 watt rigid solar panel connected to two batteries and use the same equipment. I also have a 300 watt inverter for occasional use. I highly recommend a second battery. My system has been set up for over 4 years and no problems whatsoever. I am thinking about switching to a flexible panel but will probably wait as this one is doing fine.
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JohnMD
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USA
207 Posts
Response Posted - 06/25/2005 :  09:28:16  Show Profile
Second battery sounds like a good idea. Did you guys move your batteries to the bow or leave them in the stern? Do I need to add a battery selector switch? I'm kind of nervous about putting 100 pounds of batteries on the water tank.
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Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts
Response Posted - 06/25/2005 :  11:01:09  Show Profile
Wherever you put the batteries, you're making a compromise. I valued keeping the storage space forward more than moving the batteries forward to achieve an even keel. (I did add a few hundred pounds of ballast up forward to level things out, but it's still easier to store things there than if there were batteries, cables, wires, etc....). I ended up with an even keel, but a heavier boat-which I prefer since I do all my sailing in the ocean, and I like the "feel" of a heavier boat more than what I gave up in performance.

I don't use a selector switch, I just wired my batteries in parallel. I could never find a convincing argument for having two battery banks on a boat with a motor you can start with a rope.
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frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts
Response Posted - 06/27/2005 :  21:16:50  Show Profile
JohnMD, my boat is set up exactly like Al's. For ballast up front I used sand in plastic bags. Having the batteries aft makes sense to me. What else would you do with space? Checking the batteries is a pain but only done once or twice a year just to make sure everything is snug.
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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.