Battery Charging ? Solar Charger

[Chrsamss]

Hello,

I am somewhat new to owning a boat:

I have a 19DC Seapro, I have two maintenance free deep cycle batteries. I keep my boat in a slip and don't use it as much as I should. The problem I have is sometimes the batteries are weak turning over the engine. I was wondering what people thought about the solar panel battery chargers. I have heard a few bad things about them. Any ideas?

Thank you for the help

 

[outkast7222]

Re: Battery Charging ? Solar Charger

They may help to keep them maintained but don't expect them to "charge" worn down batteries. Most people get sucked in because they will say something like "10 amp controller" or "15 watts" when in reality they have a max charge rate of 1 amp. That max rate is in the brightest part of the day with the panel at the right angle.

If there is power at the slip I would just add a small maintainer, I assume this is not the case. Disconnecting the batteries may help also, there is probably small things on the boat drawing tiny amounts of current while it is docked.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Battery Charging ? Solar Charger

Yes, the output of the solar panels is small. On a 12 volt system, 1 amp is 12 watts. So if the panel claims to charge 24 Watt, it will be a 2 amp trickle charge. Split that across 2 batteries, it is almost no charge at all.

I will assume the deep cycle batteries are to run electric trolling motors? The starting battery should not run down between uses, unless you have a short circuit.

If you do use them for trolling motors, and if you use the boat only every weekend, you may find a solar charger that can work for you. If you use it more, it will be harder to keep it charged.