solar charger

[gillmeone]

I am going to be installing a small stereo on our pontoon. We have a 1987 mercury 25hp outboard which when running charges the battery. We only have 1 battery currently. My question is, if I hooked up a 1watt solar charger in addition, would that help keep the battery charged when listening to music while the motor is off (ie when we are anchored up or beached up somewhere) The stereo is not a high powered stereo by any means. We only have 2 speakers for it and no amp. Here is a link to the solar charger I was thinking about:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...Solar-1-Watt-12V-Power-Sports-Charger&i=96770

Just wasn't sure if 1watt would really make any kind of difference.

 

[oldjeep]

I don't think that 1 watt is going to do anything when even a small radio is going to be drawing wayyyyy more than that. Might want to use a 2nd deep cycle battery for running the radio so that you don't have to worry about the pontoon not starting.

 

[alldodge]

I am going to be installing a small stereo on our pontoon. We have a 1987 mercury 25hp outboard which when running charges the battery. We only have 1 battery currently. My question is, if I hooked up a 1watt solar charger in addition, would that help keep the battery charged when listening to music while the motor is off (ie when we are anchored up or beached up somewhere) The stereo is not a high powered stereo by any means. We only have 2 speakers for it and no amp. Here is a link to the solar charger I was thinking about:

http://www.********.com/modperl/pro...Solar-1-Watt-12V-Power-Sports-Charger&i=96770

Just wasn't sure if 1watt would really make any kind of difference.

Agree 1 watt won't replace what the radio is using, but will put some back in, just not much.

Now if you the average user, run out and play for maybe 8 hours, and probably 4 hours or less is spent with the engine not running. If this is the case one good dual purpose group 27 should do you fine. Get a group 31 for more amps. For piece of mind as oldjeep said, get a second battery

 

[oldjeep]

Agree 1 watt won't replace what the radio is using, but will put some back in, just not much.

Now if you the average user, run out and play for maybe 8 hours, and probably 4 hours or less is spent with the engine not running. If this is the case one good dual purpose group 27 should do you fine. Get a group 31 for more amps. For piece of mind as oldjeep said, get a second battery

I agree. I run my stereo with 4 speakers at a moderate volume for 4 hours easily and never had a problem starting the boat - but if I did I would just flip the A/B switch and use my other battery. I've got a pair of Group 24 batteries (starting) but only ever use one of them - other does get charged up occasionally in the garage.

 

[wrench 3]

Just to put the one watt in perspective. Watts is volts times amps. Minimum voltage for charging 13.5. Divide one by thirteen point five and you get .074 amps. An average trickle charger is 2 amps.

 

[NYBo]

A 25HP motor would be easy to pull-start if the battery goes dead, so I wouldn't worry too much.