I have acquired a Catalina 25, 1981...and I'm trying to get the electrical system fully working. There is a flexible (but dead) solar panel just forward of the mast. Anyone know a source to replace it? Also...can you tell me if it gets wired directly to one of the batteries...or does it go through the electrical panel? Also, the Honda outboard is capable of charging the batteries...and all the wiring is in place, but disconnected. Again...does the power coming in from the outboard connect directly to one of the batteries?..or does it go thru the electical panel? Thanks...bruce...Sacramento
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Solar/outboard charging
There are a number of things you can do. First off, you hook the outboard directly up to the batteries. It's just a trickle charge and shouldn't burn up your batteries no matter how long you motor. The solar panel is a different issue. You can pick up one of those small trickle charger types for fairly cheap and hook it up directly. OR you can buy a bad-a** charger but you have to get a regulator so as not to cook the batteries. You can get either at West Marine or just about any online marine site. I'd highly recommend Nigel Calder's bible on boat systems. LaDonna
There are a number of things you can do. First off, you hook the outboard directly up to the batteries. It's just a trickle charge and shouldn't burn up your batteries no matter how long you motor. The solar panel is a different issue. You can pick up one of those small trickle charger types for fairly cheap and hook it up directly. OR you can buy a bad-a** charger but you have to get a regulator so as not to cook the batteries. You can get either at West Marine or just about any online marine site. I'd highly recommend Nigel Calder's bible on boat systems. LaDonna
Solar
LaDonna is correct about the engine charging. She's also right about the solar panel, although you can obtain a solar panel that is below 1 1/2 % of your house battery bank amp hour capacity without needing a regulator for the solar panel. On our former C25, 1981 model, I had a 95 amp hour battery with a small Uni-Solar panel with no regulation. The panel was the smallest 5 watt model. On our new-to-us C34, we have a 365 amp hour house bank with an 11 watt solar panel to offset the self disharge of our wet cell house bank. Works fine without a regulator. Calder's Manual is invaluable for information about batteries and charging. Suggest you connect directly to the battery, rather than thru the panel, unless and until you are COMPLETELY SURE about the panel's wiring. West Marine Advisors have very good information about your subject. Try their website.
LaDonna is correct about the engine charging. She's also right about the solar panel, although you can obtain a solar panel that is below 1 1/2 % of your house battery bank amp hour capacity without needing a regulator for the solar panel. On our former C25, 1981 model, I had a 95 amp hour battery with a small Uni-Solar panel with no regulation. The panel was the smallest 5 watt model. On our new-to-us C34, we have a 365 amp hour house bank with an 11 watt solar panel to offset the self disharge of our wet cell house bank. Works fine without a regulator. Calder's Manual is invaluable for information about batteries and charging. Suggest you connect directly to the battery, rather than thru the panel, unless and until you are COMPLETELY SURE about the panel's wiring. West Marine Advisors have very good information about your subject. Try their website.
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