Solar Panels - Do They Work ?

[peahead]

Hey Fishos,

I don't have room to keep by boat in the garage so it lives out on the street I find that due to not using my boat often enough, I need to pull my batteries out and give them a good charge evry now and then, just to keep them topped up.

This is now becoming very boring and mundane, so I am looking at smarter ways or ideas

It's too far to run a power cable as it will be exposed to the public and I am not too keen on leaving the charger in the boat, pluse a 10M extension cable.

So I have been toying with the idea to buy a portable solar panel to charge my batterries, I don't want to spend a fortune.

Do these actually work the removable ones ? (the type thay you plug into the cigarette lighter) I have aslo seen that solar panels regulators are available are these needed as well ?

I would appreciate any feedback or experiences you may have had.

Appreciate your help.

Peahead.

[Davemmm]

I had a small solar panel (a bit bigger than a number plate) that worked quite well as a trickle charger.

This one didnt plug into a ciggy lighter but connected direct to the battery with some kind of fuse regulator arrangement built in. It was pretty easy to use and as I said worked quite well.

I dont have it anymore as the tinney is stored inside now

[pjbink]

I have one (about the size of a phone book) and it works very well indeed. I have it connected directly to the battery as well. I rarely have to recharge my batteries.

[a boat]

Good Morning Peahead, I agree with the others and we have seen good results with solar panels. We have fitted alot of GME solar panels to commuters and regular trailerboats and they work well at keeping your battery charged while not in use. They will not be able to recharge a fully discharged battery, but with one fitted you should never have that problem.

Cheers,

Huey.

[Robbielites]

Mine is sticthed onto the boat cover with a plug on it that gets plugged into the cocpit, so when I put the cover on I plug it in and away it goes it works a treat, the boat kicks first time every time even after sitting on the mooring for a month.

I recently had to replace the panel, I don't know why but it just died The replacement was under $200 and worth every cent I reckon. As for the regulator this one came with one built in.

I got it from a place in Birkenhead point that specialises in marine solar stuff, they know thier stuff and are good to deal with. I have sent you the number, if you give them a call and they will help you sort out what will work best for you.

Cheers.

Robbie.

[njsconst]

Thanks for your positive replies guys, I've been toying with the idea of getting one aswell.

You have made my mind up. I'll go and get one when the lets me!

My boat is under a carport so I'll just leave the solar panel on the roof of the carport and plug it into the boat.

One question though. How long are the leads that come off the solar panels??

Nathan.

[Robbielites]

Short... Under a meter.

Robbie.

[Osprey Rider]

You can panels from various boating and auto stores with cables that you can be extended. My one actually sits under the eave of the garage and still gets enough charge. My battery is 7 yrs old and still starts first kick. I got from a auto shop and was cheap about $60 super!!!!!

[peahead]

Thanks fisho's

You have certainly help me make my mind up on getting a solar panel and appreciate it greatly, wasn't sure if the small removal type panels where just a gymick but I am sold.

Hey Robbie, thanks for the number, I will give them a call tomorrow and find what is available for my Quinny 2 battery setup. Unfortunately I have already had my boat covers made so I can't steal your idea of having it built in but damn that was a good idea.

Hmmm, now how to sell it to the , maybe I can tell her she doesn't have to carry both batteries to the garage anymore to be charged !!

Thanks heaps.

Cheers

Peahead

[traysexy]

Solar is definately an excellent option. I have just installed a 45W solar panal to charge a sealed battery. This pumps out on avergae 2Amps per hour, depending on lighting condition. Most panals that you plug directly in your ciggy lighter, are around the 250mA mark and just enough to keep a battery topped up. Many of them don't come with a regulation circuit, although it is possibly to just fit a diode in line to stop discharge going back into your battery. Alternately, a regulator for a small panal is only about $30.

As for cable extensions, use a good quality cable so you doing get any voltage drop along a distance. Give me a PM if you want to know anything solar:)

pete.