Anyone have experience with Sunforce/Coleman Solar Panels ?

ShotgunSlim · Apr 24, 2016

It works great when I put the panel on the boat. It keeps the battery topped off, doesn't get in the way and hasn't fallen off the boat while sailing yet. It even makes a pretty good table for light items when hanging out in the cockpit after sailing. Honestly though, I have only been out once where I had the panel on the boat, most of my sailing is day sailing at this point but I hope to go to the lake for a couple of days soon.

Jim W. · Apr 25, 2016

We have the same one (Coleman 40watt), it works great. We only used shore power for two nights last summer during a 10 day cruse and just because we could. Our battery was pretty much full charged all summer, we have a radio, gps, vhf and phone chargers, plus, cabin , anchor and running lights (all LED) and never felt we had to conserve power. We spent most every weekend on the boat, Friday after work to Sunday evening and an evening or two through the week.

As for mounting - we opted to just lay the panel (flat, not with the stand up) on the cockpit seat when we were not on the boat, then stow it below while on the boat. For longer stays we would just lay it from seat to seat across the stern under the tiller.

Gene Neill · Apr 25, 2016

No experience with the Coleman, but you might (or might not!) like this mounting method I came up with. It's cheap, looks decent, stays completely out of the way, and the panel can be articulated up and down about 135 degrees, so it can be aimed anywhere to starboard or even slightly to port if you extend the legs fully. I had a 15 watt Harbor Freight panel on it, which I just upgraded to a 30 watt Renogy and a better controller.

danm1 · Apr 25, 2016

I have had a Coleman 10 watt panel for several years. http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-58025-Amorphous-Solar-panel/dp/B006FW3G2G. I just leave it sitting in the cockpit at the mooring hooked up to the cabin battery and stow it when sailing. I put clips on the battery connectors so switching only takes a few seconds. Keeps the battery fully charged and ready for the weekend. This past winter, for the first time, I left my batteries on board. I left the Coleman on the foredeck (no shrinkwrap) connected to the starter battery and ran jumper cables to the cabin battery from there. I have to admit I was surprised it worked. Both batteries were fully topped off when I uncovered the cockpit.

Captn Scotty · Apr 26, 2016

The Admiral bought me one of those forty watt colemans for a gift, we've used it for week long trips(no fridge) swapping between banks when the light on the regulator goes from red to green, keeps things charged up like a hot damn! I was so impressed I waited till they went on sale and bought another(I may just buy a frdge)

Captn Scotty · Apr 26, 2016

The Admiral bought me one of those forty watt colemans for a gift, we've used it for week long trips(no fridge) swapping between banks when the light on the regulator goes from red to green, keeps things charged up like a hot damn! I was so impressed I waited till they went on sale and bought another(I may just buy a fridge)

Gene Neill · Apr 27, 2016

Leeward Rail said:
Gene, is that ziptied to the upper rail ? Velcro Strap ?

Zip ties. I used hose clamps at first, but I like this method better.

Gene Neill · Apr 27, 2016

I used to mount the BBQ in that spot too, 'til I got the idea from CaptDon to put it at the stern, where I find it MUCH easier to use, standing upright, with both feet firmly on the floor. Panel can be placed level and used as a table, although I never have.

Motor, BBQ, swim ladder, solar panel ... nothing gets in the way of anything else.

Fred · Apr 27, 2016

They have been selling Noma flexible panels at Canadian Tire lately. Anyone have experience with those? They are tempting as they would be easy to store under the stern berth mattress when not in use as they are only about 1/8 inch thick.

https://m.canadiantire.ca/#/product...learance=false&selectedSku=0112032&quantity=1

TortolaTim · May 13, 2016

I was considering something like this to keep the 12V topped off. Is there any need for some type of charge controller? Is there any danger of leaving it hooked up for a period of time after the battery has been fully charged? I like the idea of hooking one up and leaving it in the cockpit while the boat is sitting at the dock.

danm1 · May 13, 2016

That's what I do. It has some sort of built in regulator. No separate controller with the 10 watt panel referenced above.

Stu Jackson · May 13, 2016

TortolaTim said:
I was considering something like this to keep the 12V topped off. Is there any need for some type of charge controller?

If there isn't one built in, then YES, you do need one. Here's why:

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/solar_panel

Good luck.

Stu Jackson · May 13, 2016

Gene Neill said:
I used to mount the BBQ in that spot too, 'til I got the idea from CaptDon to put it at the stern, where I find it MUCH easier to use, standing upright, with both feet firmly on the floor.

Nice job, Gene.

danm1 · May 13, 2016

From the q and a on amazon:
Does not need a charge controller. Has built-in diode circuit to prevent reverse current flow when dark. Just connect directly to battery

Stu Jackson · May 13, 2016

danm1 said:
From the q and a on amazon:
Does not need a charge controller. Has built-in diode circuit to prevent reverse current flow when dark. Just connect directly to battery

Dan,

Here's the text of what you refer to:

Question:

If I use this without a charge controller, does this have a diode already?

Answer:

yes

Your conclusion is simply incorrect. Diodes and controllers are two separate things.

Please read the link I provided. It explains why even small panels NEED controllers. To avoid frying your expensive batteries.

Please, please, please.