solar panel

[MarkOday23]

I have a 1972 Oday 23. I'd like to get the battery charged, but am leaning towards solar power instead of shore power (due to cost, etc). I have one Type 27 marine house battery and might get a Type 24 for a cranking battery, however, until I do, I'm seriously debating on the solar panel. Will a 5 watt solar panel simply hooked directly to the battery do fine? Electronics/equipment on board are VHF, depthsounder, knotmeter, lights (interior, nav lights), bilge pump and of course, my 9.9 motor. Pretty simple. Will a 5 watt solar panel do fine in terms of charging? Can I leave something like that hooked up with out frying my battery? thanksMark s/v Cattivo I 1972 Oday 23 pop-topGreen Bay, Wisconsin

 

[Chip14366]

solar power

Mark,I leave an 11 watt solar panel hooked to my battery, it does fine. A think a 5 watt would do the trick for you, provided you don't use the boat daily. Solar panels do excellent work, however, remember there are only a few hours each day when they provide their maximum charging capacity. The rest of the time the sun is not at an optimum angle or something on the boat shadows a portion of the panel.I have enjoyed mine, good luck.Chip

 

[MarkOday23]

Chip,I don't plan on using my boat daily (wish I could!) but I've gone like a weekend of sailing, and then once every week preferred. You think that would be suitable time for charging in between sails? Last thing I want is to be out with family aboard and my battery dies.Mark