Anyone have experience with Sunforce/Coleman Solar Panels ?

[Leeward Rail]

Good Morning

I picked up a Coleman 40 watt Mono-Cristalline Solar Panel with Charger Controller for $75 USD ($95 CAD).
http://sunforceproducts.com/product_details.php?PRODUCT_ID=254

It looks like it may work for mounting on the stern, without getting in the way.
The panel is 31"x14"x1" in size.
It comes with a charge controller.

Any experience with these units ?

@ShotgunSlim In an old thread, you posted some photos of your panel mounted on the stern pulpit. How is that location working out for you ? Do you leave it mounted ?
(it seems we can't post to real old threads)

 

[ShotgunSlim]

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.]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Based on @Jim W. and @danm1 replies, looks like I'll try the panel for now.
Got it cheap enough so should be able to recoup 50% of that if I sell it.

But @Gene Neill @ShotgunSlim and @danm1 were less helpful because now I have 3 options on how to mount, or not mount, it. LOL

Oh Oh no that doesn't help at all !

decisions decisions....

Gene, is that ziptied to the upper rail ? Velcro Strap ?

Slim. I'm liking the "table" idea. A panel for the top that has fiddles comes to mind. Not only make it a better table,but protect the top from damage when stored below if required.

hmm..

 

[Captn Scotty]

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]

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]

Gene, is that ziptied to the upper rail ? Velcro Strap ?

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

 

[Leeward Rail]

@Captn Scotty ok looks like i'll give it a go then.

@Gene Neill , I may just do a combination of your and @ShotgunSlim 's mounting.
My BBQ is currently mounted where your panel is.
I love the adjustable angle setup and the ability to tilt it out of the way, but I also like the stern position and use a as a table options.
Heavy zip ties would work for the hinge. I think I may have some heavy duty UV resistant ones lying around.

I'm looking forward to getting the boat back from the farm, so I can get her ready for the season.

 

[Gene Neill]

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]

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

 

[Leeward Rail]

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 configuration.

Alas our BBQ is a rectangle type with the bracket in the middle. Can't put on the stern because either ladder or motor is in the way.

 

[TortolaTim]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Stu is correct. If the panel doesn't include a charge controller then you need to buy one separately.

Any device charging a battery needs to adjust, and eventually stop it's rate of charging, to prevent destroying the battery. Panels alone, don't have that function, but some "kits" include a controller to do it.

My Coleman unit has a simple controller included. I plan on upgrading it to a better one.