I have just purchased a Hunter 22, 1985. The power source for the radio and lights is dependent on a battery. Unlike large sail boats my Little Hunter is not set up to recharge the battery via an alternator. What experiences do other have with a simmilar set up? What type of battery would give the longest life, wet cell, gel cell etc.? Does anyone have any feed back on the use of solar panels to keep the battery charged?
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my solution
Of course you need a deep cycle marine battery..........then I keep a small wattage trickle charging solar panel in the cockpit when I'm not using the boat. When I sail I throw the panel into the lazarette. While at a dock I have another plug in type trickle charger...........my battery is always topped off.
Of course you need a deep cycle marine battery..........then I keep a small wattage trickle charging solar panel in the cockpit when I'm not using the boat. When I sail I throw the panel into the lazarette. While at a dock I have another plug in type trickle charger...........my battery is always topped off.
Battery Life
A marine deep cycle is the only choice. An automotive type battery is unacceptable since it vents out into the storage area and is not meant to be fully discharged numerous times. My marine deep cycle lasts about 5 years before it needs replacement. If I do a lot of night sailing and play the stereo a lot I usually have to take it home round the end of July to charge it up, then it will last until the end of the season with out a problem (~OCT 15).
A marine deep cycle is the only choice. An automotive type battery is unacceptable since it vents out into the storage area and is not meant to be fully discharged numerous times. My marine deep cycle lasts about 5 years before it needs replacement. If I do a lot of night sailing and play the stereo a lot I usually have to take it home round the end of July to charge it up, then it will last until the end of the season with out a problem (~OCT 15).
Care
I've heard complaints about short lived batteries but if you follow some simple tips, a battery should last 5 years.... or more. Don't deep cycle if you can avoid it.... use the top third of the battery capacity. Recharge often but DO NOT over charge. DO NOT continously trickle charge because that just boils water off. There are very inexpensive chargers that reach the correct voltage then shut off completely. The same is true of solar chargers. Be sure there is a controller that turns off and doesn't allow trickle charging. During the winter, recharge the battery a time or two but don't leave it on a trickle charger. There's nothing wrong with leaving a battery in the cold as long as it's well charged. I've seen some batteries that weren't held down very well and did a lot of rock and roll which can't be too good for them either. Gell Cells are pretty expensive. I'd watch for deep cycle marine batteries on sale at WalMart this time of year. Ken S/V WouffHong
I've heard complaints about short lived batteries but if you follow some simple tips, a battery should last 5 years.... or more. Don't deep cycle if you can avoid it.... use the top third of the battery capacity. Recharge often but DO NOT over charge. DO NOT continously trickle charge because that just boils water off. There are very inexpensive chargers that reach the correct voltage then shut off completely. The same is true of solar chargers. Be sure there is a controller that turns off and doesn't allow trickle charging. During the winter, recharge the battery a time or two but don't leave it on a trickle charger. There's nothing wrong with leaving a battery in the cold as long as it's well charged. I've seen some batteries that weren't held down very well and did a lot of rock and roll which can't be too good for them either. Gell Cells are pretty expensive. I'd watch for deep cycle marine batteries on sale at WalMart this time of year. Ken S/V WouffHong
Solar panel for sure
I have a 10W panel on my H23 and it works wonders. I sail at night and also have a tiller pilot, so I qualify as a heavy user. Just follow Ken's advice re charging and care and your battery should last a long time. Peter H23 "Raven"
I have a 10W panel on my H23 and it works wonders. I sail at night and also have a tiller pilot, so I qualify as a heavy user. Just follow Ken's advice re charging and care and your battery should last a long time. Peter H23 "Raven"
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