Hi Folks, I'm interested in adding a solar panel trickle charge system to my H23. I've looked at the archives and see that I can do this with a diode and if the max wattage is less than a tenth of the battery capacity (I think). This boat is left unattended for up to 2-3 weeks at a time so the issue I'm concerned about is outgassing while charging. I was on the boat and looked for a possible way to ventilate the lazerette locker where the battery is stored and it's very difficult. My question is if I use a small enough trickle, should I be concerned about ventalation? (There is always some ventalation because this locker is not airtight and I'm sure there is air flow) Thanks, Chuck, SV Windsongs H23
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Solar Panel
I use a five watt rigid panel on my h 25. Trickle is so little that there is no outgassing.My battery has never been low in three years. Regards, Jim
I use a five watt rigid panel on my h 25. Trickle is so little that there is no outgassing.My battery has never been low in three years. Regards, Jim
My question would be where do you put the panel so you aren't stepping on it when you are using the boat? Other than a small flexable panel to hang on the boom when in the slip, I can't figure out a place to mount one permanently that I wouldn't step on it. Ed
Thanks to All/Response to Ed
Thanks Jim and Caleb for your experiences. I feel a little more secure after hearing of no problems. Are you using any requlators or reverse diodes in your system? Ed, I Think Peter Suah has found a solution to the mounting problem you speak about.. In the Archives, Peter talks about mounting a flexible panel over the companionway boards (or right above on the plexiglas) and he passes his lock through one of the grommets for security. Peter, Am I right? and have you tried to ventilate your battery setup to prevent hydrogen build up? Thanks again for this discussion.. Chuck SV Windsongs H23
Thanks Jim and Caleb for your experiences. I feel a little more secure after hearing of no problems. Are you using any requlators or reverse diodes in your system? Ed, I Think Peter Suah has found a solution to the mounting problem you speak about.. In the Archives, Peter talks about mounting a flexible panel over the companionway boards (or right above on the plexiglas) and he passes his lock through one of the grommets for security. Peter, Am I right? and have you tried to ventilate your battery setup to prevent hydrogen build up? Thanks again for this discussion.. Chuck SV Windsongs H23
i have one love it!!!
I have a small one say 6x12 I use mine to keep the radio and stuff charged got to have music for the wife
I go out 1-3 times a week for 1-5Hrs this little unit always keeps me at 12-11.5V. Most of the smaller units are built to never over charge just read the package and no worry. Oh i have mine placed on the clear hatch lid it never gets in the way.
I have a small one say 6x12 I use mine to keep the radio and stuff charged got to have music for the wife
I go out 1-3 times a week for 1-5Hrs this little unit always keeps me at 12-11.5V. Most of the smaller units are built to never over charge just read the package and no worry. Oh i have mine placed on the clear hatch lid it never gets in the way.Panel Placement
Thanks, sounds like you guys have had good luck keeping the batteries charged. I'll have to look at a way to atatch to the boom or mast, then stow it when we're sailing. I still have the canvas cover for the companionway slider so it would be covered when we're not out sailing. Ed
Thanks, sounds like you guys have had good luck keeping the batteries charged. I'll have to look at a way to atatch to the boom or mast, then stow it when we're sailing. I still have the canvas cover for the companionway slider so it would be covered when we're not out sailing. Ed
Panel placement
When I'm away from the boat in the summer I lay the panel (11W UniSolar) on top of the clear hatch and padlock it to the main hatchboard through one of the grommets. In addition to charging the batts. it helps keep the sun out of the cabin. In the winter I hang the panel in front of the hatchboards because the sun is lower. It's still padlocked to the hatchboard. Under sail I move it around depending on course and time of day. The best place I found is either between the main hatch and the mast (bungee it to the wooden rails) or on top of the bimini (if you have one). Happy charging. Peter
When I'm away from the boat in the summer I lay the panel (11W UniSolar) on top of the clear hatch and padlock it to the main hatchboard through one of the grommets. In addition to charging the batts. it helps keep the sun out of the cabin. In the winter I hang the panel in front of the hatchboards because the sun is lower. It's still padlocked to the hatchboard. Under sail I move it around depending on course and time of day. The best place I found is either between the main hatch and the mast (bungee it to the wooden rails) or on top of the bimini (if you have one). Happy charging. Peter
Unregulated panel
The rule of thumb I've read is: if the panel's rated amps (not watts) is one percent or less of the battery's amp-hour rating, then no regulator is required. (Some say one-half %, others say 2%. Pick your comfort level.) If the panel exceeds these numbers, a regulator is needed to prevent overcharging.
The rule of thumb I've read is: if the panel's rated amps (not watts) is one percent or less of the battery's amp-hour rating, then no regulator is required. (Some say one-half %, others say 2%. Pick your comfort level.) If the panel exceeds these numbers, a regulator is needed to prevent overcharging.
good to see the responses
I am glad to see more participation with excellent responses from you all. That is why I do not say much. I do monitor the forum. Keep up the good responses. Crazy Dave Condon
I am glad to see more participation with excellent responses from you all. That is why I do not say much. I do monitor the forum. Keep up the good responses. Crazy Dave Condon
Solar Comfort Level
Thanks again for this discussion (and your encouragement Dave!) I'm assuming from the responses from Peter, Tom and Jeff that You don't have any problem with a solar panel at about 10-11 watts, no regulator, and mounting the battery in the original location in the Port lazerette locker. Do you still need a seperate diode or is this included in the panel? Peter, I like your ideas on mounting, They seem to be simple but they might be less effective in our northern climate. Thanks! Chuck SV Windsongs H23
Thanks again for this discussion (and your encouragement Dave!) I'm assuming from the responses from Peter, Tom and Jeff that You don't have any problem with a solar panel at about 10-11 watts, no regulator, and mounting the battery in the original location in the Port lazerette locker. Do you still need a seperate diode or is this included in the panel? Peter, I like your ideas on mounting, They seem to be simple but they might be less effective in our northern climate. Thanks! Chuck SV Windsongs H23
Unisolar Flexible Panel
We use the flexible Unisolar and move it wherever the sun shines. Being small, light weight and flexible makes it easy to use. The battery is always topped off and cannot over charge. For long term we set ut up facing the afternoon sun for best results.
We use the flexible Unisolar and move it wherever the sun shines. Being small, light weight and flexible makes it easy to use. The battery is always topped off and cannot over charge. For long term we set ut up facing the afternoon sun for best results.
Stern pulpit?
How about getting a rigid panel and mounting it on the outside of the stern pulpit. The bigger boats have this arrangement.
How about getting a rigid panel and mounting it on the outside of the stern pulpit. The bigger boats have this arrangement.
No Stern Pulpit on H-23
Terry, As far as I know a stern pulpit was not standard on the H-23's. Dave Laing s/v WindSong
Terry, As far as I know a stern pulpit was not standard on the H-23's. Dave Laing s/v WindSong
H23 Stern Pulpit
Terry, You're right, There was no stern stanction or pulpit on the H23. I did , however, add an aftermarket pulpit. I used the same one used by the Catalina capri 22. I called Catalina and were great about ordering them. They were really inexpensive, (about $45.00 each) So I could mount the panels on those pulpits. /Chuck SV Windsongs H23
Terry, You're right, There was no stern stanction or pulpit on the H23. I did , however, add an aftermarket pulpit. I used the same one used by the Catalina capri 22. I called Catalina and were great about ordering them. They were really inexpensive, (about $45.00 each) So I could mount the panels on those pulpits. /Chuck SV Windsongs H23
On backstays
Maybe someone will tell me this was stupid, but about a month ago, we mounted a 5W rigid solar panel hanging in the inverted-V where the backstay splits. We used 4 plastic cable ties to secure the 4 corners of the panel, and ran the cord down the port backstay and into the locker where the battery is. So far, the panel is entirely out of the way when sailing, and we can just ignore it all the time. The one thing I worry about is that the angle of the backstays is changed slightly where the cable ties pull on them. But hopefully, the weight is low enough that this won't hurt anything. The other issue is that the panel is not horizontal, but the way our boat sits in the slip, the panel gets the full afternoon sun, and is at 90 degrees to the sun for some reasonable part of the day. If we were to put it flat on the deck, for that matter, there would be shadows across some portion of the panel much of the time, which is supposed to seriously reduce panel output. So I figured it would be just as well to have totally shadow-free sun for part of the day, compared to on-and-off shadows for all of the day. Let me know what you think! So far, so good, but one month really isn't much of a test, except that this way of mounting is really convenient. Jay
Maybe someone will tell me this was stupid, but about a month ago, we mounted a 5W rigid solar panel hanging in the inverted-V where the backstay splits. We used 4 plastic cable ties to secure the 4 corners of the panel, and ran the cord down the port backstay and into the locker where the battery is. So far, the panel is entirely out of the way when sailing, and we can just ignore it all the time. The one thing I worry about is that the angle of the backstays is changed slightly where the cable ties pull on them. But hopefully, the weight is low enough that this won't hurt anything. The other issue is that the panel is not horizontal, but the way our boat sits in the slip, the panel gets the full afternoon sun, and is at 90 degrees to the sun for some reasonable part of the day. If we were to put it flat on the deck, for that matter, there would be shadows across some portion of the panel much of the time, which is supposed to seriously reduce panel output. So I figured it would be just as well to have totally shadow-free sun for part of the day, compared to on-and-off shadows for all of the day. Let me know what you think! So far, so good, but one month really isn't much of a test, except that this way of mounting is really convenient. Jay
OK. let me try again.....
The panel will "make" the most juice when it faces the sun directly. The way you have it now should be the better bet than mounting it on the topsides somewhere. I thought for sure the boat I am looking at to buy has a stern pulpit.....Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Hopefully, I won't be wrong on this answer too.)
The panel will "make" the most juice when it faces the sun directly. The way you have it now should be the better bet than mounting it on the topsides somewhere. I thought for sure the boat I am looking at to buy has a stern pulpit.....Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Hopefully, I won't be wrong on this answer too.
)More on H23 solar panel
When the panel is hanging over the hatchboards it's only about 20 degrees from vertical. In the winter the sun should still rise higher than 20 degrees above the horizon (unless you're up near the Arctice Circle). I have an adjustable backstay so I can't hang my panel on it. Peter H23 "Raven"
When the panel is hanging over the hatchboards it's only about 20 degrees from vertical. In the winter the sun should still rise higher than 20 degrees above the horizon (unless you're up near the Arctice Circle). I have an adjustable backstay so I can't hang my panel on it. Peter H23 "Raven"
More H23 Solar Panel Options
Folks, I talked to my neighbor last night in the power industry and he suggested new technology for Battery/solar charging. Pulsetech has a product linen that includes solar chargers plus a pulse sulfide reduction system that is supposed to clean the lead plates to maintain and extend battery life on marine applications. It's not much more expensive than the 10 watt unisolar panel ($90.00-$130.00). This includes the regulator so hydrogen buildup should be non-existent. Has anyone tried these products? I attached the links to batterystuff.com. As for the mounting suggestion, they all sound good with promise. Jay, that's an innovative mounting technique, I'll need to look at my system to see if I can do that. Once again thanks, I've learnd a whole lot of great information! http://www.4unique.com/battery/battery_tutorial.htm ( the home page) http://www.4unique.com/battery/battery_preservation.htm#powerpulse ( The pulsetech products) /Chuck SV "Windsongs" H23
Folks, I talked to my neighbor last night in the power industry and he suggested new technology for Battery/solar charging. Pulsetech has a product linen that includes solar chargers plus a pulse sulfide reduction system that is supposed to clean the lead plates to maintain and extend battery life on marine applications. It's not much more expensive than the 10 watt unisolar panel ($90.00-$130.00). This includes the regulator so hydrogen buildup should be non-existent. Has anyone tried these products? I attached the links to batterystuff.com. As for the mounting suggestion, they all sound good with promise. Jay, that's an innovative mounting technique, I'll need to look at my system to see if I can do that. Once again thanks, I've learnd a whole lot of great information! http://www.4unique.com/battery/battery_tutorial.htm ( the home page) http://www.4unique.com/battery/battery_preservation.htm#powerpulse ( The pulsetech products) /Chuck SV "Windsongs" H23
Battery Pulsing
I maintain a fleet of over 30 trucks. Pulse Technology is fine as a battery MAINTAINER. But as a battery CHARGER I think you will be dissappointed! I installed a Solargizer Pulse Technology Panel 3 years ago. I am still using the same batteries as I was back then but they would go dead after a few days of usage. Now I have both, all I did was add a 15 watt panel to my stern rail on my h25 (I had to make the mounting brackets) and I have never looked back! I have been cruising for 4 days at a time every other weekend since June and I have no lack of juice. I am using diodes I bought at Radio Shack and during the day the panel itself runs almost all of my electronics. Ask for the power output of the panel itself. The 12-24v Solargizer Pulse-Tech panel only puts out 3-4 volts in full sun, logic tells you that it might pulse but it won't charge a 12 volt deep cycle battery. Pulsing only really comes into play when you are trying to bring back an otherwise dead battery from the grave. Get a panel! Good Luck. Dan Pitman s/v Essayons
I maintain a fleet of over 30 trucks. Pulse Technology is fine as a battery MAINTAINER. But as a battery CHARGER I think you will be dissappointed! I installed a Solargizer Pulse Technology Panel 3 years ago. I am still using the same batteries as I was back then but they would go dead after a few days of usage. Now I have both, all I did was add a 15 watt panel to my stern rail on my h25 (I had to make the mounting brackets) and I have never looked back! I have been cruising for 4 days at a time every other weekend since June and I have no lack of juice. I am using diodes I bought at Radio Shack and during the day the panel itself runs almost all of my electronics. Ask for the power output of the panel itself. The 12-24v Solargizer Pulse-Tech panel only puts out 3-4 volts in full sun, logic tells you that it might pulse but it won't charge a 12 volt deep cycle battery. Pulsing only really comes into play when you are trying to bring back an otherwise dead battery from the grave. Get a panel! Good Luck. Dan Pitman s/v Essayons
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