Solar charger Advice

[Frugal Floater]

I have an 18' center console bay boat. I plan on fishing on a few HP restricted lakes. I purchased a 5HP kicker motor without an alternator. I am a little concerned that my electronics and lights (after dark) will drain my battery. I could just start my big motor for a bit to charge my battery, but I don't want to break the rules.

Is there an effective solar panel that will keep my battery charged? I am looking for something cheap that will do the job charging my battery before dark.

Do you think I should even be worried about my battery running out of juice and just charge my battery with a home charger when I get home?

The only things I will be running are my deck lights, nav lights, chart plotter, and maybe a spotlight that plugs into the cig.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Solar charger Advice

[colour=blue]The spotlight will draw quite a bit of juice.

All you need is a large deepcycle battery and a smart charger. Buy the biggest one you can afford.

Simply charge it up at home after each outing.

If you want to get a bit more technical, you can add a VSR and maybe a solar panel but mounting space for the panel is usually an issue on small boats.

 

[95yj]

Re: Solar charger Advice

If you use the solar panel, you can shine the spotlight at it to keep the battery charged after night 8)

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Solar charger Advice

Not gonna happen. The size of solar panel you would need would completely cover your boat. And it would only work in direct sunlight.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Solar charger Advice

How often you use your boat and an estimate of how much current you draw each time you use your boat will determine what size solar panel you would need.

Figure about 1.5 sq feet per amp depending on the solar panel. Many people spec panels at 10W/sq foot assuming a 17V output.

You will need a solar panel controller for anything over an amp so you don't cook your batteries.

I have a 17W panel on our horse trailer that I bought on Ebay for a little over $100 including a nice controller that will work up to 100W if I want to add mre panels. It is nice to always know that the battery is always topped off without having to plug in a charger.

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: Solar charger Advice

Why do you feel you need a solar panal when it seems that you take the boat home after each battery draining trip? A battery charger will do fine.Try to match your acc.battery amp/hr storage with your electronic usage + 50% so you don't run them down too much.(11 volts)

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Solar charger Advice

I was looking at the Sunforce Products Solar Battery Maintainer 1.8Watt...Here is the description:

# Keeps your battery fully topped off when the vehicle not in use
# Maintains Car's, SUV's, Boats, ATV's, PWC batteries
# Maintenance free, easy installation
# Plugs into cigarette lighter with alligator battery clamps (included)
# Charges in all weather conditions, temperature range: -40F to 176F
# Mounts on windshield with included suction cups
# Temperature range: -40 to 176 F
# Max output 1.8 Watts 125 milli-amp hours
# Made of durable ABS plastic and amorphous cells

its only $19.99...probably junk...but is is only the size of a book. Again, my only worry was draining my battery all day and then well into the night since many of the lakes I go to won't allow me to use my main engine due to HP restrictions. I will charge when I get home, but I don't want to get stuck in the middle of the lake with no lights to get back to shore.

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Solar charger Advice

"when vehicle not in use"...ok, forget that idea. I will carry a spare battery.

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: Solar charger Advice

Yup,it is for maintenance,knott chargin!