Solar Panel
- Thread starter nbabic
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Suggest PowerFilm Rollable from JSI at 800-652-4914 rollable 14 watts 0.9 amps R-14 42 x 14 with 15 ft extension cord + diode $210, RA-40 4.5 amp controller $40, Also check out www.aurino.com 360-299-8510 or 230-2360 toll free 877-433-8640. The PowerFilm Rollable is what I am planning on installing.
Try BatteryStuff.com.Bought 15 watt Solar w/controller-Desulphation Module with cig adapter $166.02.Keeps dual deepcells 100% no problem.Is hard framed but works great on my 23.5.Love Lake Monroe.
I just purchased an 84 Hunter 25.5 and the previous owner had screw mounted a flexible solar panel just in front of the mast behind the front hatch. I was bent, stepped on and they are prone to this damage being on the deck. They also are fragile and require special handling to keep from bending or flexing. Now I have 4 screws to remove and holes to epoxy closed. I've thought of a solar panel but will go with a hard panel on a mount to the cockpit rail that I can remove when sailing.
Good luck
Roy
Good luck
Roy
I'm using one similar to this one on my 23.5:
http://www.siliconsolar.com/12v-marine-solar-battery-charger-15w-p-130.html
It works great to keep the battery up and recharge it when I use it for lighting. I think a 15 watt panel would be the minimum you'd want. A 15 watt panel will put out just a little more than 1 amp when the sun's good and the angle's right. A 5 watt panel won't do much. Just don't forget to add a charge controller also, to keep the battery from overcharging.
http://www.siliconsolar.com/12v-marine-solar-battery-charger-15w-p-130.html
It works great to keep the battery up and recharge it when I use it for lighting. I think a 15 watt panel would be the minimum you'd want. A 15 watt panel will put out just a little more than 1 amp when the sun's good and the angle's right. A 5 watt panel won't do much. Just don't forget to add a charge controller also, to keep the battery from overcharging.
I have a cheap 5 watt plastic frame with a charge regulator all bought from northern tool & equip. I think I have $40 in it total. I also have have a fuse as close to the battery's positive terminal as possible. This will always shut the charge regulator off if I leave it on for a week and always keeps the battery topped off. The fuse is a must!!!
I've a 5 watt soft panel on a deep cycle battery that runs nav and interior lights only. No fuse, no regulator, no problems in six years. A 5 watt panel will produce about a third of an amp in full sun. Not much, but enough. Bigger than that, regulate it.
The battery is probably due for replacement, but I've got my fingers crossed it makes it through this season before I switch it out.
The battery is probably due for replacement, but I've got my fingers crossed it makes it through this season before I switch it out.
I have a solar panel from a previous boat. It is only about 6 inches square. Does anyone have any idea how I could get a watt reading on it. My plan was to put battery clamps on the wires and just clamp it to the battery. I was going to put a switch of the positive side so when I was not using it I would shut it off. I have looked at a 5 watt panel and I guess a regulator. When I bought the boat it has a starting marine battery and not a deep cycle. I am not sure how old. It was fine the beginning of the summer but is dead now. I brought it home and was going to trickle charge it for a couple days, then put it back and try this small panel. I have a camper with a 15 watt panel and it runs the starting of the refrig, alarms, and other things that can not be turned off. It maintains the battery for a week with no problem. I do not need anything that big as all I am running is the VHF radio and a light every once in awhile. Any idea were to get a 5 watt panel and regulator cheap. Also, what advantage is there to a gel battery. I have looked and they seem to be pretty pricey.
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