I am in the market for a solar battery charger. I would like general user opinions including optimal wattage, recommended brand names, etc.
Solar battery charger
- Thread starter dje
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You need to furnish more info. Calculate your battery usage anchor light draw, running lights, instruments etc. Then search the archives for solar charger info. If you just mean to maintain a fully charged battery from weekend to weekend, then almost any of the small one foot sq foot units would probably do. This is a complicated question to answer. Need more info.
Salim8 is right on target. You can buy a 5-watt solar maintainer from ICP or $50-70 and they are adequate to keep up a single battery -- but not charge it. I use one and rotate it between my two batteries to maintain their charge. If what you really need/want is a solar charger, the price and installation complexities of such systems rises dramatically. You'll also need a voltage regulator/diode with the latter, but not the former. Tell us more detail and we'll try to help more.
A few things to consider. Under 10 watts you do NOT need a regulator. Northern Hydraulics has a 5 watt UNBREAKABLE for $110. I highly suggest this 1 if you are looking at under 10 watts. If you go over 10 watts you will need the regulator and careful measurements will be needed as most of the higher wattage ones are in the range of 3 feet long.
I have a solaire 7.5 watt that will actually do better than maintain, but I cracked it. Cost is the same as a 5 watt. It still works good, but I like things to look new not repaired. The nice thing about Solaire is that you can daisy chain as many as you like. 2+ and again you need the regulator which will run you about $25. They come with the cords to hook them together. Yellow color is not the greatest, but an easy way to get more than 10 watts at a resonable price and not need 30+ inches of space. They also come with a test button to make sure they are woking. If they were unbreakable they would be unbeatable.
I have a solaire 7.5 watt that will actually do better than maintain, but I cracked it. Cost is the same as a 5 watt. It still works good, but I like things to look new not repaired. The nice thing about Solaire is that you can daisy chain as many as you like. 2+ and again you need the regulator which will run you about $25. They come with the cords to hook them together. Yellow color is not the greatest, but an easy way to get more than 10 watts at a resonable price and not need 30+ inches of space. They also come with a test button to make sure they are woking. If they were unbreakable they would be unbeatable.
What these folks are suggesting is that you do what is called an Energy Budget, just like your checkbook. What you use is what goes out. What your income is becomes the charging devices you have: solar, shorepower, etc.
Here's a worksheet: http://www.westmarine.com/Images/wa/Elecbugt.pdf
The WM advisors have lots of information, like this: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/Solar-Power.htm
Most websites have good information on the electrical loads of the stuff you have on the boat: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/electric.htm
Given these websites, look around and learn.
Here's a worksheet: http://www.westmarine.com/Images/wa/Elecbugt.pdf
The WM advisors have lots of information, like this: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/westadvisor/10001/-1/10001/Solar-Power.htm
Most websites have good information on the electrical loads of the stuff you have on the boat: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/electric.htm
Given these websites, look around and learn.
Energy Budget
All above is correct about making a energy budget. Know how much power you need, keeping in mind that the rating on any solar panel is the optimum. Expect less. Cloudy days drastically reduce the output. As some on here will attest, I am sometimes a little bit off base from most, and tend to do things a little bit different. So, in case your interested, here is what I have and how it's wired. I have 300 watts of BP panels. Two 85watt panels and two 65 watters. I have the two 85's and one of the 65's wired through one controller. It is a good Sunsaver, that goes to float when the batteries are fully charged. The other 65 watt panel is wired through a seperate controller, one of the cheaper ones. This is one of those that just uses a load to dump excess energy when batteries are fully charged. I have this dump feature wired to the start battery. This arrangement works well for me. I have the usual junk on board, GPS, AutoPilot, etc. Plus a small fridge. Anchor out a lot. On most reasonably sunny days, the float light comes on in the late afternoon. Meaning batteries are fully up. With a couple of clooudy days back to back, it is necessary to run the engine some, when not plugged up. Hope this will be of some help, and good luck.
All above is correct about making a energy budget. Know how much power you need, keeping in mind that the rating on any solar panel is the optimum. Expect less. Cloudy days drastically reduce the output. As some on here will attest, I am sometimes a little bit off base from most, and tend to do things a little bit different. So, in case your interested, here is what I have and how it's wired. I have 300 watts of BP panels. Two 85watt panels and two 65 watters. I have the two 85's and one of the 65's wired through one controller. It is a good Sunsaver, that goes to float when the batteries are fully charged. The other 65 watt panel is wired through a seperate controller, one of the cheaper ones. This is one of those that just uses a load to dump excess energy when batteries are fully charged. I have this dump feature wired to the start battery. This arrangement works well for me. I have the usual junk on board, GPS, AutoPilot, etc. Plus a small fridge. Anchor out a lot. On most reasonably sunny days, the float light comes on in the late afternoon. Meaning batteries are fully up. With a couple of clooudy days back to back, it is necessary to run the engine some, when not plugged up. Hope this will be of some help, and good luck.
Thanks for the answer. I'm just graduating from a day sailor to the C22 and am learning. We won't be sailing until next year so this winter will be spent preparing.
Re: Energy Budget
Thanks for the answer. I'm just graduating from a day sailor to the C22 and am learning. We won't be sailing until next year so this winter will be spent preparing.
Thanks for the answer. I'm just graduating from a day sailor to the C22 and am learning. We won't be sailing until next year so this winter will be spent preparing.
Thanks for the help. From the responses I'm receiving, it seems I need to create an energy budget first and then look for panels that will meet my needs. This will have to wait until next season. We just bought our boat and have it stored in the garage for some refitting and fixing up over the winter. Thanks for the pics. I like the stern pulpit install.
i put one of these on my boat
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41144
and i have 2 batteries that never go dead for two to three days at a time
and i have 2 batteries that never go dead for two to three days at a time
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