Flexible panel
I really like my flexible solar panel. I can't recall the make or style at the moment, but it was the $100 version from West Marine. It fits perfectly within the contours of the sliding hatch door, and rests there doing it's thing while the boat is moored. It's also a great location while underway. There is enough lead in the cable to move it around to keep an optimal angle to the sun. It often finds itself leaning against the cabin windows. I also leave it hooked up while running the batteries to reduce the draw and minimize cycling. I didn't once have to remove batteries during the season since the panel. They were always kept full and never discharged below 50%. A lot depends, of course, on your personal power consumption. I used to lug heavy batteries from hold to canoe to car to workbench and back, and put holes in various fabrics with battery acid, and now, no more. Battery maintenance during the season is a chinch, and my batteries are less abused as a result. Now the winter maintenance is the more problematic. -- Rico
