Hello, I am interested in installing a 5 watt solar battery charger on my H240. What does any body recommed with respect to brand and model. Do you need to install a fuse in the circuit? Thanks for all comments and help with recommendations. Daniel
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Solar Panel
I installed a 5 Watt Panel on my Start Battery; another one on my House Battery. They do an excellent job of keeping them topped off without overcharging. I got them at Harbor Frieght. They have been working for 3 years not problem. They include a blocking diodes.
I installed a 5 Watt Panel on my Start Battery; another one on my House Battery. They do an excellent job of keeping them topped off without overcharging. I got them at Harbor Frieght. They have been working for 3 years not problem. They include a blocking diodes.
Solar Questions
Thanks for info. Couple of questions.... - did you get the model that has the "clips" on the wires coming from the solar panal for connecting to the battery post?? If so, how do these work for you. Can you get the battery cover case over the clips when they are attached to the battery? I was thinking that circular band connectors that slip over the battery post and then you can screw down the connection with the battery toggle nut would work better. Thanks again to all that respond. Still have not really found a good option on my search on the web where the panal looks like it can withstand the elements. Cheers, Daniel
Thanks for info. Couple of questions.... - did you get the model that has the "clips" on the wires coming from the solar panal for connecting to the battery post?? If so, how do these work for you. Can you get the battery cover case over the clips when they are attached to the battery? I was thinking that circular band connectors that slip over the battery post and then you can screw down the connection with the battery toggle nut would work better. Thanks again to all that respond. Still have not really found a good option on my search on the web where the panal looks like it can withstand the elements. Cheers, Daniel
Solar Panels
I've got a couple of flexible panels installed on my H260. I've got them connected to a controller, and the controller is connected to the battery. There is a fuse in line between the panels and the controller. System works great at keeping the batteries charged. I pull them off the boat and use them as a trickle charge over the winter when I pull the batteries out of the boat.
I've got a couple of flexible panels installed on my H260. I've got them connected to a controller, and the controller is connected to the battery. There is a fuse in line between the panels and the controller. System works great at keeping the batteries charged. I pull them off the boat and use them as a trickle charge over the winter when I pull the batteries out of the boat.
Solar Questions
Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it. It would be really helpful for someone to give me the solar panel brand and model they have had success with. I can’t seem to find one on my web search that looks like it can handle a marine environment well. Also, some that I have seen, have clip connectors which clip to the battery terminals. Does any one have these and do they work well?? Can you close the battery protective case over when using the clips? I would prefer to have wires which have a circular metal connector which would just slip over the battery lead post and then screw them secure with the wing nut on the battery post. From my meager needs on the boat, I just need a solar charger to keep the marine battery topped off when it sits in the slip. I only have the running/anchor lights and bilge pump on the boat and I sail during the evening and thus drain the battery throughout the season. Thus I need only about a 5 Watt solar panel. From info I got from the web site listed here: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/30.htm The guy suggests placing a fuse on the positive wire to the positive lead of the battery and locating it close to the battery. Sounds like some of you have done this. What kind of fuse do you use and where can you get. Again, thanks to all for your help. Here in Wisconsin we got 13 inches of snow and I should be out shoveling but I would rather think about warmer days and the upcoming sailing season. Cheers, Daniel
Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it. It would be really helpful for someone to give me the solar panel brand and model they have had success with. I can’t seem to find one on my web search that looks like it can handle a marine environment well. Also, some that I have seen, have clip connectors which clip to the battery terminals. Does any one have these and do they work well?? Can you close the battery protective case over when using the clips? I would prefer to have wires which have a circular metal connector which would just slip over the battery lead post and then screw them secure with the wing nut on the battery post. From my meager needs on the boat, I just need a solar charger to keep the marine battery topped off when it sits in the slip. I only have the running/anchor lights and bilge pump on the boat and I sail during the evening and thus drain the battery throughout the season. Thus I need only about a 5 Watt solar panel. From info I got from the web site listed here: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/30.htm The guy suggests placing a fuse on the positive wire to the positive lead of the battery and locating it close to the battery. Sounds like some of you have done this. What kind of fuse do you use and where can you get. Again, thanks to all for your help. Here in Wisconsin we got 13 inches of snow and I should be out shoveling but I would rather think about warmer days and the upcoming sailing season. Cheers, Daniel
Additional info
Unfortunately, the company that made my panels went out of business. They had a pretty nifty setup - flexible panel (think solar absorbing film applied to a durable, flexible backing) with grommets installed on the corners for tie downs, and an accessory cord where you could connect multiple panels into a single feed to your battery or controller. I can't get to my boat right now (in storage for the winter) or I could check ono the manufacturer of the past and the size of the in-line fusing. You can find an assortment of controllers in West Marine or Defender. Many of the controllers have metal ring connectors for the battery posts. I just spliced the wires from the solar panel(s) to the input for the controller, screwed the ring connectors onto the battery posts and was ready to roll. I've included a link that shows some flexible panels very simialr to mine. This is a seller's site, you can also go to the manufacturer's site. I'd be careful of what you pay - there's a wide variety of price between resellers. v/r, Mike
Unfortunately, the company that made my panels went out of business. They had a pretty nifty setup - flexible panel (think solar absorbing film applied to a durable, flexible backing) with grommets installed on the corners for tie downs, and an accessory cord where you could connect multiple panels into a single feed to your battery or controller. I can't get to my boat right now (in storage for the winter) or I could check ono the manufacturer of the past and the size of the in-line fusing. You can find an assortment of controllers in West Marine or Defender. Many of the controllers have metal ring connectors for the battery posts. I just spliced the wires from the solar panel(s) to the input for the controller, screwed the ring connectors onto the battery posts and was ready to roll. I've included a link that shows some flexible panels very simialr to mine. This is a seller's site, you can also go to the manufacturer's site. I'd be careful of what you pay - there's a wide variety of price between resellers. v/r, Mike
Unisolar makes flexible panels
just google "unisolar flexible panels" and you will find plenty of options. They are more expensive than flat panels but are pretty much indestructable (within reason). Quality flat panels work fine in a marine environment. They are constructed from tempered glass, aluminun frames, and a hard plastic laminate backing. Thew wont take a direct hit from a hammer, but they are suprisingly rugged. If you mount them in a good location they work well. There are plenty of cruisers out there with flat panels over 15 years old and still going strong. You can expect to pay around $85 for a 5 watt flexible and about $50 for a 5 watt flat panel. The higher the wattage rating, the lower the price per watt. I would suggest staying away from "bargain" solar panels like Harbor Freight, or low priced chinese modules, they save money on the glass and frame and are fragile. They also won't last very long electrically. Be aware that panels work better the cooler they are so mount them where air can circulate behind them. I would also recommend hard wiring them instead of using clips to attatch to the battery. install a fuse rated at 4-5 times the max current output of the panel and close to the battery.
just google "unisolar flexible panels" and you will find plenty of options. They are more expensive than flat panels but are pretty much indestructable (within reason). Quality flat panels work fine in a marine environment. They are constructed from tempered glass, aluminun frames, and a hard plastic laminate backing. Thew wont take a direct hit from a hammer, but they are suprisingly rugged. If you mount them in a good location they work well. There are plenty of cruisers out there with flat panels over 15 years old and still going strong. You can expect to pay around $85 for a 5 watt flexible and about $50 for a 5 watt flat panel. The higher the wattage rating, the lower the price per watt. I would suggest staying away from "bargain" solar panels like Harbor Freight, or low priced chinese modules, they save money on the glass and frame and are fragile. They also won't last very long electrically. Be aware that panels work better the cooler they are so mount them where air can circulate behind them. I would also recommend hard wiring them instead of using clips to attatch to the battery. install a fuse rated at 4-5 times the max current output of the panel and close to the battery.
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