I'm trying to figure out what size solar panel to use for trickle charging a 24" 12V deep cycle battery. Battery specs I have (in Greek, to me) are as follows: REF.CA@32(degrees)F = 625 CCA@0(degrees) F = 500 Mins.@23 amps = 150 Mins.@25 amps = 130 20 A.H. rate = 75 All I run is lights and an occasional tape deck off the battery - no engine starting. Is a five watt solar panel too much for trickle charging when I'm away from the boat? Too little? Thanks for any advice. Drew
- Status
solar panel
I use lights, including anchor and deck lighting overnight, cd player on occasion. I do not start my kicker with the battery. I've been using a five watt panel for four years and have never had a problem. I am usually aboard two/three nights a week from June to early November. Much depends on the sun, of course. Hope this helps. Jim
I use lights, including anchor and deck lighting overnight, cd player on occasion. I do not start my kicker with the battery. I've been using a five watt panel for four years and have never had a problem. I am usually aboard two/three nights a week from June to early November. Much depends on the sun, of course. Hope this helps. Jim
Solar Panel
Drew Read the West Marine Advisor on solar panels under Electrical, will answer all your questions. Stu www.westmarine.com
Drew Read the West Marine Advisor on solar panels under Electrical, will answer all your questions. Stu www.westmarine.com
Un-Regulated Solar Charhers
You should be OK with an Un-Regulated 5 Watt Solar Charger. Generally, unregulated solar panels that produce less than 1%-2% of the battery's capacity in Ah won't harm your battery. This means that an 18 Watt (1.4 Amp) panel is the largest you should use without a regulator on a 70-amp-hour battery. Notwithstanding, a Low-loss Schottky blocking diode is a good idea, to prevent night-time backflow (battery drain). I'd prefer a larger Solar Panel, and PWM type Charge Controller (of course I'm spending YOUR money). HTH Gord
You should be OK with an Un-Regulated 5 Watt Solar Charger. Generally, unregulated solar panels that produce less than 1%-2% of the battery's capacity in Ah won't harm your battery. This means that an 18 Watt (1.4 Amp) panel is the largest you should use without a regulator on a 70-amp-hour battery. Notwithstanding, a Low-loss Schottky blocking diode is a good idea, to prevent night-time backflow (battery drain). I'd prefer a larger Solar Panel, and PWM type Charge Controller (of course I'm spending YOUR money). HTH Gord
- Status