I have a 1994 40.5 and a question concerning the solar panel fuse. I assumed that the solar panel was trickle charging the starting battery until I found an empty fuse holder in the starboard side cockpit locker which is labeled "Solar Panel". What size fuse should be in the holder? Does anyone have any idea why the PO would have removed the fuse? Is there a problem with overcharging by the standard solar panel? Thanks for your responses.
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Try 5 Amp
My 376 came with a solar panel about 28" x 14" and it has a 5 amp fuse. The panel cannot generate more than 2 1/2 amps and the fuse is there to prevent fire in case the wiring from fuse to panel ever goes short circuit. Please note:- I sometimes remove my fuse as the panel can overcharge the battery. Perhaps your PO removed it for this reason. Despite what the experts say I had a solar panel on my previous boat boil the battery dry. The boat was on hard-standing and up for sale for a period of 3 months.
My 376 came with a solar panel about 28" x 14" and it has a 5 amp fuse. The panel cannot generate more than 2 1/2 amps and the fuse is there to prevent fire in case the wiring from fuse to panel ever goes short circuit. Please note:- I sometimes remove my fuse as the panel can overcharge the battery. Perhaps your PO removed it for this reason. Despite what the experts say I had a solar panel on my previous boat boil the battery dry. The boat was on hard-standing and up for sale for a period of 3 months.
What Donalex Said
...my 40.5 also had the fuse out for likely the same reason. I put it back in, but also wired in a three-stage solar regulator to use with my three flex panels I put on top of my bimini for some boost. Rick D.
...my 40.5 also had the fuse out for likely the same reason. I put it back in, but also wired in a three-stage solar regulator to use with my three flex panels I put on top of my bimini for some boost. Rick D.
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