Since I'm at a mooring I'm considering solar panels. I have a davits to place them. Does anyone have any information or experience with them? Any suggestions that you learned when you purchased them? Any product better then another? Thak you for your help. Richard
Solar Panels
- Thread starter Duke13540
- Start date
- Status
Solar Panel
When I bought my O'Day 23 three years ago, it had one mounted on top of the hatch. I was ab it skeptical about it, but since learned that it is great ! It is about 12" square (unknown brand though) and it does a fantastic job of keeping the battery at its peek during the summer. I highly reccommend it. Bob Burns=Rascal.
When I bought my O'Day 23 three years ago, it had one mounted on top of the hatch. I was ab it skeptical about it, but since learned that it is great ! It is about 12" square (unknown brand though) and it does a fantastic job of keeping the battery at its peek during the summer. I highly reccommend it. Bob Burns=Rascal.
Good info source
You might try talking to John Gambill at Hotwire Enterprises. He knows as much about this stuff as anyone I know. He could tell you what you need with no BS. They have a website- svhotwire.com
You might try talking to John Gambill at Hotwire Enterprises. He knows as much about this stuff as anyone I know. He could tell you what you need with no BS. They have a website- svhotwire.com
Solar Panel
Richard I bought a 15 watt solar charging system to keep my batteries charged while I am away. It is a 15 watt unit that comes with the panel, charge controller and battery condition monitor. I also bought a couple of rail clamps to mount it on the cross bar tube on my davits. I will use a DP/DT toggle switch to select which battery to charge. I considered using a 1/2/both selector but opted for the simple either/ or setup and will use it primarily to maintain my house battery. 15 watts is not enough to power other than very moderate system use but will help during extended periods away from dock power. I haven't installed it yet but the unit is of excellent quality and a great price (see link).
Richard I bought a 15 watt solar charging system to keep my batteries charged while I am away. It is a 15 watt unit that comes with the panel, charge controller and battery condition monitor. I also bought a couple of rail clamps to mount it on the cross bar tube on my davits. I will use a DP/DT toggle switch to select which battery to charge. I considered using a 1/2/both selector but opted for the simple either/ or setup and will use it primarily to maintain my house battery. 15 watts is not enough to power other than very moderate system use but will help during extended periods away from dock power. I haven't installed it yet but the unit is of excellent quality and a great price (see link).
Link
Gfrazzle: the related link didn't work. Would you mind checking it please? This is a subject which greatly interests me. Thanks.
Gfrazzle: the related link didn't work. Would you mind checking it please? This is a subject which greatly interests me. Thanks.
Richard, The 15 watt panel is no more than a trickle charger to keep your batteries from discharging while your away. If i am not mistaken , 15W = abt 1.5 AMPS charge at best under ideal conditions. If your power neeeds are small enough then you might get away with just recharging using the engine. I got stuck once while on a cruise with 2 " two dead batteeries and no way to start the engine. I did some research and wound up getting this system for my hunter 30. the panel is 130 Watts and puts out a 7.5 charge rate for most of the day while im on the hook. might be over kill for your situation but it works well. A controller is a must for this system though.
Must have insurance
I have kept a boat on a mooring for three years. It had an outboard, so the only charging for the single house battery (not used for starting, just bilge pump and lighting) was the solar panel. It was small, but did made leaving the boat at the mooring for an extended period of time more worry free as I never had to pull and charge the battery during the season. I moved up to a 30 footer and have started shopping for a solar panel already. If you get a small one, you do not need a charge controller. If you will mount it on deck somewhere, make sure you get something flexible and durable. Otherwise, mount it out of the way. You don't need much of a panel if you mostly daysail, however, if you weekend on the mooring I'd opt for a bigger panel. Another neat trick, if you have shore power on your boat, is to buy a small generator and fire it up in your cockpit. Some of the hondas are pretty quiet, durable and I think a 1500w unit only weights 40 lbs or so. Bob
I have kept a boat on a mooring for three years. It had an outboard, so the only charging for the single house battery (not used for starting, just bilge pump and lighting) was the solar panel. It was small, but did made leaving the boat at the mooring for an extended period of time more worry free as I never had to pull and charge the battery during the season. I moved up to a 30 footer and have started shopping for a solar panel already. If you get a small one, you do not need a charge controller. If you will mount it on deck somewhere, make sure you get something flexible and durable. Otherwise, mount it out of the way. You don't need much of a panel if you mostly daysail, however, if you weekend on the mooring I'd opt for a bigger panel. Another neat trick, if you have shore power on your boat, is to buy a small generator and fire it up in your cockpit. Some of the hondas are pretty quiet, durable and I think a 1500w unit only weights 40 lbs or so. Bob
Thank you
J. Stuart gave a great web site svhotwire.com the people were very nice and are very knowledgeable. Thank you all for your help-- now time to do the research. Richard
J. Stuart gave a great web site svhotwire.com the people were very nice and are very knowledgeable. Thank you all for your help-- now time to do the research. Richard
Solar
Richard, Sorry about the bad link- here is the site: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200328565_200328565?cm_sp=Customer%20driven-_-Recently%20Viewed-_-Category%20Page
Richard, Sorry about the bad link- here is the site: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200328565_200328565?cm_sp=Customer%20driven-_-Recently%20Viewed-_-Category%20Page
Duke..
I love my solar panel! It's an 80 watt Siemans panel (now sold under a different trade name maybe Shell but I can't remember). Under ideal conditions it will put out around 4.3-4.4 amps.. I have it mounted to my davits and also use a solar charge controller, which is a MUST, to prevent over charging and discharging at night. Using blocking diodes only does not prevent off gassing of the batts. Go with an 80 watt or larger panel if you have the space!!
I love my solar panel! It's an 80 watt Siemans panel (now sold under a different trade name maybe Shell but I can't remember). Under ideal conditions it will put out around 4.3-4.4 amps.. I have it mounted to my davits and also use a solar charge controller, which is a MUST, to prevent over charging and discharging at night. Using blocking diodes only does not prevent off gassing of the batts. Go with an 80 watt or larger panel if you have the space!!
- Status