I recently bought a Hunter 240, moving up from a smaller boat that did not have an electrical system. I'm not sure exactly what type of battery it has, assuming a 12v deep cycle. The battery currently needs a charge and see if it holds. Longer term: The boat does not have shore power, so I am going to need to keep the battery charged on a regular basis, and would prefer not to haul the battery in/out of the boat (power is not readily available where it is stored). I was thinking of adding a solar power charger, but there are so many options. Can anyone describe what they have done to keep their battery charged: type of charging system, # of amps, cost, etc. Thanks, -k
Battery Charging
- Thread starter avoy
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Depends on the use of the boat
Clearly you need either a solar/wind generator or run you engine once in a while to keep the batteries charged. How do you use the boat? Weekends only, day sail, cruising? Also what would be any future uses? Passage making.... Begin with the end in mind.
Clearly you need either a solar/wind generator or run you engine once in a while to keep the batteries charged. How do you use the boat? Weekends only, day sail, cruising? Also what would be any future uses? Passage making.... Begin with the end in mind.
Hey "k"
...judging from what you have described, you can safely use a 10 to 15watt solar panel charger without the use of a charge controller. These are commonly available in Wal-Mart or West Marine. They are relatively inexpensive and for 'one battery' charging it is a safe way to go. It will ensure you of enough power to start the engine, run a light or two, and operate a vhf or other simple electronic apparatus. Once you have purchased the panel, all that you need to do is plug it into your electrical system (preferably straight to the battery) and start generating that 'free electricity'. Good luck! Brian
...judging from what you have described, you can safely use a 10 to 15watt solar panel charger without the use of a charge controller. These are commonly available in Wal-Mart or West Marine. They are relatively inexpensive and for 'one battery' charging it is a safe way to go. It will ensure you of enough power to start the engine, run a light or two, and operate a vhf or other simple electronic apparatus. Once you have purchased the panel, all that you need to do is plug it into your electrical system (preferably straight to the battery) and start generating that 'free electricity'. Good luck! Brian
How do you use the boat?
A simple electrical system will run Navigation lights, anchor light, cabin lights, bilge pump, a stereo and perhaps a VHF radio. If you mostly day sail you will be using very little power and can keep the battery topped off with a small solar panel trickle charger. A small unit plus blocking diodes will run you about $100. If you take a weekend trips, use your lights and make frequent use of the VHF in transmission mode you may need to replenish 15-20 amps a day and the trickle charger wont do it. 60 watt panels start around $600 and you would need to add a charge controller for an additional $100. A wind power generator with mounting base will run you around $1,200. A gas powered generator like a Honda 1000 will run you $700 plus the cost of the 110V battery charger. Some outboard motors can be fitted with an optional alternator which acts as trickle charger at a cost of around $175. You do not indicate if you keep your boat on a trailer or not but if you do and have the ability to park your car close to it you can connect jumper cables to the battery and idle the car motor for 1/2 hour or an hour. The last option would be to take steps to make it easier to haul your battery home; get a folding hand truck and if possible purchase and additional battery so you can always have a charged one and swap them out when you go sailing. Irregardless invest in a digital display volt meter so you can monitor the state of charge of the battery. Years ago had a day sailer with no shore power. Installed two group 27 batteries to cover minimal power usage and would haul them home about once a month to recharge them. Worked fine includying overnight trips. If I did not feel like hauling them home I would take a trip and get a transient slip at a marina and use their shorepower and charge the batteries. Those were the good old days now we run refrigeration, entertainment systems A/C and need multiple battery banks. As usual is $$ vs. work but you can device a system that will work for you. Good luck.
A simple electrical system will run Navigation lights, anchor light, cabin lights, bilge pump, a stereo and perhaps a VHF radio. If you mostly day sail you will be using very little power and can keep the battery topped off with a small solar panel trickle charger. A small unit plus blocking diodes will run you about $100. If you take a weekend trips, use your lights and make frequent use of the VHF in transmission mode you may need to replenish 15-20 amps a day and the trickle charger wont do it. 60 watt panels start around $600 and you would need to add a charge controller for an additional $100. A wind power generator with mounting base will run you around $1,200. A gas powered generator like a Honda 1000 will run you $700 plus the cost of the 110V battery charger. Some outboard motors can be fitted with an optional alternator which acts as trickle charger at a cost of around $175. You do not indicate if you keep your boat on a trailer or not but if you do and have the ability to park your car close to it you can connect jumper cables to the battery and idle the car motor for 1/2 hour or an hour. The last option would be to take steps to make it easier to haul your battery home; get a folding hand truck and if possible purchase and additional battery so you can always have a charged one and swap them out when you go sailing. Irregardless invest in a digital display volt meter so you can monitor the state of charge of the battery. Years ago had a day sailer with no shore power. Installed two group 27 batteries to cover minimal power usage and would haul them home about once a month to recharge them. Worked fine includying overnight trips. If I did not feel like hauling them home I would take a trip and get a transient slip at a marina and use their shorepower and charge the batteries. Those were the good old days now we run refrigeration, entertainment systems A/C and need multiple battery banks. As usual is $$ vs. work but you can device a system that will work for you. Good luck.
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