Just wondering what others have done in regards to a solar charger for their 25. I have no battery (just put the boat in the water) - so any advice on that would be nice (I have no electronics...! Just cabin lights and running lights. Will install depth/speed/temp/fish finder type of thing along with MP3 player this winter). I have seen and read about 5 to 10w chargers. My concern is durability - been reading alot about products that claim they are waterproof, yet are not. So, what size battery (deep cycle) and what size charger?? Thanks.
Solar or not to solar, that is the question
- Thread starter DPT
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- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
minimum electrics
I too have minimum electrics on my boat. One circuit runs the two nav lights and the light in the compass. A second circuit has a 12 volt outlet (cig lighter style) and an interior dome light. The batt is a deep cycle, group 24, and the solar panel is a 5.5 watt panel. Whenever I check the batt it is sitting at 13.51 volts. My boat sits at the marina all week, and I only use the lights occasionally. This set up works well for me.
I too have minimum electrics on my boat. One circuit runs the two nav lights and the light in the compass. A second circuit has a 12 volt outlet (cig lighter style) and an interior dome light. The batt is a deep cycle, group 24, and the solar panel is a 5.5 watt panel. Whenever I check the batt it is sitting at 13.51 volts. My boat sits at the marina all week, and I only use the lights occasionally. This set up works well for me.
Had one for several years
I have a flexible solar panel on my 25. I run stereo, GPS and the occasional light. Since I put mine on I have NEVER had a dead battery. I run one marine battery. It and the solar panel have been on the boat for at least 4 years. I'm noe to gentle with gear. Mine stay on the cabin roof with lines running to the grab handles on the cabin roof to keep it in place. The birds do unspeakable acts upon it. It gets tossed around. No troubles. Cost about $100 measures about 24 x 18 inches (more or less) vynle or plactic base you could roll it up (but I wouldn't) When I get a chance I see if I can find the site where I bought it. But google flexible solar battery charger and you'll probably find one. I want to say mine is 11 watt but wouldn't bet on it. Good luck, Mike
I have a flexible solar panel on my 25. I run stereo, GPS and the occasional light. Since I put mine on I have NEVER had a dead battery. I run one marine battery. It and the solar panel have been on the boat for at least 4 years. I'm noe to gentle with gear. Mine stay on the cabin roof with lines running to the grab handles on the cabin roof to keep it in place. The birds do unspeakable acts upon it. It gets tossed around. No troubles. Cost about $100 measures about 24 x 18 inches (more or less) vynle or plactic base you could roll it up (but I wouldn't) When I get a chance I see if I can find the site where I bought it. But google flexible solar battery charger and you'll probably find one. I want to say mine is 11 watt but wouldn't bet on it. Good luck, Mike
solar panels
I had two 11-watt panels on my 28 which I installed after learning the hard way that "both" is not a preferred switch position. They came from two different sources, but I think were the same panel. I had two group 27s and I had a panel connected directly to each battery and never had a problem with maintaining a charge. Also, with the low wattage rating, there was no need for a charge controller. Good luck! Bill and Pat, O40 Kukulcán, New London, CT
I had two 11-watt panels on my 28 which I installed after learning the hard way that "both" is not a preferred switch position. They came from two different sources, but I think were the same panel. I had two group 27s and I had a panel connected directly to each battery and never had a problem with maintaining a charge. Also, with the low wattage rating, there was no need for a charge controller. Good luck! Bill and Pat, O40 Kukulcán, New London, CT
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