Has anyone found a good solution for adding solar panels to maintain batteries? Looking for ideas.
Here's the background. I'm on a mooring and have no regular access to shore power for recharging my 2 90aH dual purpose batteries. My #1 battery only lasted 2 years (pretty short I think), and am I getting pretty tired of having the batteries be flat at least 1x a season. Plus if my batteries die there's no sump pump.
I'd like to find some way to mount a solar panel with enough power to keep the batteries topped up. I've found a controller that can charge 2 batteries separately; now I need to figure out how to mount a panel. I've accepted the panel will be sizable. I'd consider either mounting one on the front rail (and removing before going out) or mounting on the bimini / camper canvas via snaps / zipper / velcro. Any suggestions or experience with a project welcome.
Here's the background. I'm on a mooring and have no regular access to shore power for recharging my 2 90aH dual purpose batteries. My #1 battery only lasted 2 years (pretty short I think), and am I getting pretty tired of having the batteries be flat at least 1x a season. Plus if my batteries die there's no sump pump.
I'd like to find some way to mount a solar panel with enough power to keep the batteries topped up. I've found a controller that can charge 2 batteries separately; now I need to figure out how to mount a panel. I've accepted the panel will be sizable. I'd consider either mounting one on the front rail (and removing before going out) or mounting on the bimini / camper canvas via snaps / zipper / velcro. Any suggestions or experience with a project welcome.