I want input on which solar panels to buy to keep my battery charged. The only use for the battery is for the stereo and lights for occasional night sailing. West marine has a 6 W panel for $60. I was thinking of getting two panels and mounting them on the bimini top.
Solar Panels
- Thread starter laketravisman
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solar power
I think you will need a bit more than 12 watts to replenish your usage on lighting and stereo. Really depends on load requirments. below is a link to a solar site that has a load calculator based on hours per day ran on electrical items.
I think you will need a bit more than 12 watts to replenish your usage on lighting and stereo. Really depends on load requirments. below is a link to a solar site that has a load calculator based on hours per day ran on electrical items.
I agree with Chuck
I think a 6 w panel would be ok to maintain a ship's wet cell type battery, but not to charge it if run down to say 75% or lower of its full capacity. I use a 5 watt solar panel to maintain two Group 24 batteries on my boat by alternating them between batteries once or twice per week. But the batteries are actually charged by the inboard diesel engine alternator when I use the boat. In your case, you probably have an outboard with perhaps a 10 amp charger (or less). So a lot would depend on how much you use the engine to keep your battery (or batteries)charged. A supplemental solar panel of the size you mention would work fine to keep essentially charged batteries maintained in a fully charged state.
I think a 6 w panel would be ok to maintain a ship's wet cell type battery, but not to charge it if run down to say 75% or lower of its full capacity. I use a 5 watt solar panel to maintain two Group 24 batteries on my boat by alternating them between batteries once or twice per week. But the batteries are actually charged by the inboard diesel engine alternator when I use the boat. In your case, you probably have an outboard with perhaps a 10 amp charger (or less). So a lot would depend on how much you use the engine to keep your battery (or batteries)charged. A supplemental solar panel of the size you mention would work fine to keep essentially charged batteries maintained in a fully charged state.
From my personal experience...
on Lake Travis and on a 24ft sailboat, your setup should actually be fine for the use you describe. Sailed a 23.5 Kittywake on Travis for 6 years or more with 1 group 27 deep cycle battery, 1- 5 watt panel, car stereo w/2 speakers, navigation lights, and an "electric bar" (liquor dispensing unit of my own design
!!!) and I never had shore power.
on Lake Travis and on a 24ft sailboat, your setup should actually be fine for the use you describe. Sailed a 23.5 Kittywake on Travis for 6 years or more with 1 group 27 deep cycle battery, 1- 5 watt panel, car stereo w/2 speakers, navigation lights, and an "electric bar" (liquor dispensing unit of my own design
!!!) and I never had shore power.Could I ask lake travisman's question,
is a slightly different way ... What brand of solar panel (suitable for use on a boat) gives the "best bang for the buck"? I.e. ... which solar panel manufacturer's panels deliver the greatest wattage for the cost?? and where is the best place/site to purchase them ?
is a slightly different way ... What brand of solar panel (suitable for use on a boat) gives the "best bang for the buck"? I.e. ... which solar panel manufacturer's panels deliver the greatest wattage for the cost?? and where is the best place/site to purchase them ?
a weekender vs cruiser
I suggest going to a larger 40 watt panel with a charge regulator. You'll find that once you have a panel that charges you'll want to add a invertor and use 110 vac powered things too. Maybe a laptop or charge the camera battery while outwater. Just my opinion.
I suggest going to a larger 40 watt panel with a charge regulator. You'll find that once you have a panel that charges you'll want to add a invertor and use 110 vac powered things too. Maybe a laptop or charge the camera battery while outwater. Just my opinion.
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