Solar Panel

[George68fs]

Would like to setup a solar panel on my O'Day 222. I have one 12V marine battery and basically the only other thing I would be charging are the speed/depth meter, and running lights. Would a controller/converter be required for the panel? I welcome any and all replies. Thanks guys, George

 

[FourPoints]

if the panel is large enough to recharge the battery in any reasonable amount of time, then yes a controller is required.

I would avoid at all costs the cheap 7a sunforce controller that is commonly found, it is a waste of $.

Here is the link to the project I did on my boat 2 seasons ago. This has worked fantastically well for me, and couldn't be happier.

http://sailingit.com/blog/boat-projects/solar-panel-charge-controller

 

[Sumner]

With panels as cheap as they are now ($1.45 a watt is common) I'd put on a least a 40 and larger if you have room. You will appreciate it down the road if you do any overnights on the boat.

I also agree that anything that is going to charge a battery vs. maintain it needs a controller. They are simple to wire.

We started with a 40....

... and now have....

...200 on the Mac and 480 on the Endeavour. You could put on the 40 we did ...

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Pane...r-Panels-20---50-Watt-(6)/c1_25_40/index.html

...for $55 and use the same controller we did for another $26 or go to a little better controller that would allow expansion down the road in the under $50 range.

Here is the 40 watt build ....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-22.html

....and the 180 watt (now 200 watt) build....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-33.html

and if anyone has a larger boat the 480 watts on the Endeavour...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-electrical/electrical-index.html

Sum

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Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

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Mac-Venture Links

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Yes, you need a controller for any panel strong enough to charge batteries.

I had a Sunforce controller- it burned up. I now have, and have had for about five years, a controller from MorningStar. Their Sunsaver 20 is a great unit, and they stand behind the products .

 

[phil mac venture]

controlers keep battery from over charging depends on solar output.

 

[rpwillia]

BatteryMINDer

Have had one of these with a 15 watt panel to top off my batteries for years. Have had absolutely no trouble, and when I first put it on, it rescued a 5 year old battery that would not hold enough charge to start the engine and got me a few more years out of it with the desulphinator circuit.

http://batteryminders.com/details.php?prod=2012

I believe with the panel and charger it was under $150. Below is the combo.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...r plus&mkwid=s1EnCCw7w&pcrid=16251924311&mt=p

 

[seamansg]

Have had one of these with a 15 watt panel to top off my batteries for years. Have had absolutely no trouble, and when I first put it on, it rescued a 5 year old battery that would not hold enough charge to start the engine and got me a few more years out of it with the desulphinator circuit.

http://batteryminders.com/details.php?prod=2012

I believe with the panel and charger it was under $150. Below is the combo.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...r plus&mkwid=s1EnCCw7w&pcrid=16251924311&mt=p

Hi,I bought my cat22 about 6 years ago, a 2001 and with the boat was a 20watt solar panel from seimans. I was concerned with some kind of regulater so the battery won't over charge. After looking at the info that came with the panel it said this panel is designed to charge 12 V batteries with out a regulater.I don't know if they make the same panel anymore. I think they sold the solar panel div. to another company but you can try looking seimans solar panels on the internet and look for a 20watt.

 

[Ron20324]

I'm not at home to look it up, but have done so for previous threads. If you look in the West catalog or on line, there is a page on sizing your solar needs to battery size.

 

[George68fs]

Would like to setup a solar panel on my O'Day 222. I have one 12V marine battery and basically the only other thing I would be charging are the speed/depth meter, and running lights. Would a controller/converter be required for the panel? I welcome any and all replies. Thanks guys, George

Thanks guys for all your responses. Can't imagine a more helpful and friendlier bunch of people.