Solar Power for batteries

[gastite]

I am looking at getting a 15 watt 12v solar panel to help out the batteries. I do not have a gen set nor do I like running my portable gen to top off the batteries.
I dont allways have power available because we like to anchor out so I thought this would be a good investment.

What do you all think?:huh:

 

[Nehalennia]

Thought about one, but where to stow it and how much will it help? I've love to have one on a radar arch, but I don't have one of those either.

What model are you looking at?

 

[Henry Boyd]

I have a friend who has used one of the flexible solar panels for years on his sailboat. He has it laid on top of the dodger. It came with grommets in the corners and he has run cloth tape through these to secure it to the dodger frame.

Henry

 

[comsnark]

And just WHAT are you going to run with that?

You ain't running the A/C. Not even the Stereo. Certainly not the Refrigerator.

It would be fine to top off the batteries during the week. . .or to run Nav lights (and maybe fans) while on the mooring . but 15 watts is still only 15 watts.

You need to think about the "loads" in relation to the "power" before proceeding furhter.

 

[wingless]

The important issue is the charging methodology.

Does the system have a smart charger that permits selection of the battery chemestry?

It is very easy to overcharge the batteries, causing permanent damage.

 

[wileecoyote]

And just WHAT are you going to run with that?

You ain't running the A/C. Not even the Stereo. Certainly not the Refrigerator.

It would be fine to top off the batteries during the week. . .or to run Nav lights (and maybe fans) while on the mooring . but 15 watts is still only 15 watts.

You need to think about the "loads" in relation to the "power" before proceeding furhter.

This is exactly right. I have one that I use to charge batteries while it's still laid up. I was thinking about getting a charge controller to keep the batteries up while they are in during the winter, but you would need a whole bank to even begin to support your electrical needs while using the boat.

 

[DragonAnchor]

you may have gathered by now that solar panels looked on as mostly a novelty item on power boat

In general I like the idea of free electricity, but until the technology matures alot more, slow charging you batteries are about the only viable use.

If you do put one up, there is a charging module you buy as well so as not to overcharge your batteries.

 

[gastite]

Thanks Team. My wife thinks the solar thing sounds great but she does agree with all of you, why waist $129 and not have it work the way I think it should.
We do have a 3000watt compact portable Gen with that special shore power plug and it runs threw the 2000watt inverter. My wife feels that’s still the best and fastest way to top off the batteries before night time. We ran it once for about an hour and it seem to top off the batteries but its still loud to me, it’s a quite generator but still.

I will sleep on this for a few weeks. Here in Seattle we are having our open day of boating and I will be on a log boom for 5 days. This was one of the main reason for looking into solar + the days we anchor out in Puget Sound.

Thanks again :smt021

 

[gastite]

PS: I was told that if we have a friend that has a built in genset I could run my
extension cord from one of his outlets to my special shore power adapter and charge up
my batteries like if I was hooked up to a shore plug.
The question is will my friend or friends let me do that and will it affect them from achieving there goal with there genset. That will be a question I will ask.


:huh:

 

[Presentation]

PS: I was told that if we have a friend that has a built in genset I could run my
extension cord from one of his outlets to my special shore power adapter and charge up
my batteries like if I was hooked up to a shore plug.
The question is will my friend or friends let me do that and will it affect them from achieving there goal with there genset. That will be a question I will ask.


:huh:

Will that work? Yes, up to 15 amps thru a 15A 120V plug. Will they let you? I don’t know.

If they let you, will they also let you run a siphon hose from their fuel tank to yours so you can top that off too?

(Of course I’m kidding about the siphon hose)

 

[wingless]

When we raft off w/ a buddy, they plug into our NEMA 5-15 receptacle to power their water heater and battery charger.

Our usage is to run it in the AM for showers and galley breakfast and at dinner for cooking.

That's enough for both boats.

 

[billandamy]

I seriously considered getting solar, but opted for the better route: getting an additional battery put in. Made much more sense.

The solar charger seemed to have little to no benefit in comparison.

 

[comsnark]

True. Even for the "weekday" charging, I prefer to be plugged into shore power. If I spring an outdrive bellows leak. . . I want the two bilge pumps to have all the power they want!

 

[AndreasW]

Could you not help keep the batteries charged with a solar pannel while on the hook?

http://www.sunsei.com/SE-1500;jsess...eTaxeKbh0Te34Pa38Ta38Oc3r0?sc=2&category=113#

 

[1stSeaRay]

I know this thread is long dead, but I'd like to posthumously nominate this post for SPOTD. Solar powered nav lights! Why didn't I think of that?

And just WHAT are you going to run with that?

You ain't running the A/C. Not even the Stereo. Certainly not the Refrigerator.

It would be fine to top off the batteries during the week. . .or to run Nav lights (and maybe fans) while on the mooring . but 15 watts is still only 15 watts.

You need to think about the "loads" in relation to the "power" before proceeding furhter.

 

[Morpheus]

Anyone see the Solar Powers Hybrid Sea Ray in the last Sea RAy Mag?

 

[wileecoyote]

Anyone see the Solar Powers Hybrid Sea Ray in the last Sea RAy Mag?

I saw them, but I wouldn't say "solar powered" They only do what we were speaking of which is charge up the batts. The curious thing in that article was when they said they were trying to package the panels in the canvas. That is interesting!

 

[Nehalennia]

Could you not help keep the batteries charged with a solar pannel while on the hook?

http://www.sunsei.com/SE-1500;jsess...eTaxeKbh0Te34Pa38Ta38Oc3r0?sc=2&category=113#

I have considered one to offer enough power to support the fridge during draw from the batts during the night while on the hook. This would require at least a 3W panel. The one you posted is about 1.5W. The issue I have is where to keep it and how to wire it to be somewhat portable.

 

[1stSeaRay]

The issue I have is where to keep it and how to wire it to be somewhat portable.

Todd, why not just mount it to your radar ar........uh nevermind.

 

[wileecoyote]

I have considered one to offer enough power to support the fridge during draw from the batts during the night while on the hook. This would require at least a 3W panel. The one you posted is about 1.5W. The issue I have is where to keep it and how to wire it to be somewhat portable.

Not sure that any panel will help keep the fridge running at night! I think you mean to keep them at full power to have them ready for night. It may look trifling, but you don't have to solid mount them. Carry one in your bilge, or cabin and plug it in. I have a 15W that I use during the winter when I work on the boat(yes, I work on it during the winter) to keep the batts up. You could plug it in and lay it on the windshield vertically.