Charging System

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Feb 28, 2011
37
Catalina 22 Crooked Lake
New to sailing and just bought a Catalina 22. I need to know how to and set up a charging system for my boat to run TV and stereo so fourth. I don't have access to a receptacle at the marina to charge batteries. I bought 2 12volt deep cycle batteries thinking they can run to power inverter and a solar panel on maybe the back of boat running to the batteries. If that's how to do so what kind and size of panel do I need. Thanks for any help.
 
Jan 22, 2008
405
Catalina 380 16 Rochester NY
You'd have to do the power requirments for a TV, but my feeling is using an inverter to a deep cycle battery and then hoping a solar charger will replenish it isn't going to work.

I never had a TV on my old 22, but I did have a Stereo and VHF Radio. I bought a glass solar panel from Harbor Freight, a plastic cutting board from Home Depot and a stern rail clamp from West Marine. I cut a hole out of the middle of the cutting board for air flow, attached the solar panel to the board and attached the stern rail clamp to the bottom of the cutting board.

The clamp was the type used for grills, so I could loosen the handle and drop the panel down along side the stern rail. When I was gone, I lifted it up to soak in the sun. The second year I bought a regulator between the panel and the battery to stop reverse trickle.

This system worked very well for me. I had an electic start on my motor and I ran the stereo all the time while sailing. I used the boat from May through October and never had an issue with a dead battery.

I wish I had details on the panel and such, but I sold the boat...
I included some pics of the setup. I also had an inverter that I ran to an outlet, but I never used it.

Chris
 

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Dec 20, 2003
1,505
Pearson 323 . St. Mary's Georgia
Many of the flat screens run on 12vdc and have an inverter built into the unit to plug to ac. You may want to go to an audio/TV site for people that know every aspect of what is on the market today.

By getting a tv that can be set to run from a dc source you have eliminated the need for an amp sucking inverter.

A good discussion on the subject.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f13/12-volt-flat-panel-tv-13052.html
 
Feb 28, 2011
37
Catalina 22 Crooked Lake
Thanks for the the info i will be checking this week in hopes the weather here breaks soon.
 
Feb 28, 2011
37
Catalina 22 Crooked Lake
Hey Chris,

The shelf you have holding the flashlights,how did you attach it to the wall. I was wanting to do something like that but didn't want to drill holes or see them on the outside. Im thinking L brackets and epoxy.
 
Jan 22, 2008
405
Catalina 380 16 Rochester NY
I did drill through the bulkhead with 4 SS screws. I used a little Life Caulk and never had any problems.

I looked at a braket system, but couldn't find something that either looked good or was invisible after insulation.
 
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