Solar chargers

[Hot Jambalaya]

Hi
Can anyone give me some advise on solar powered battery chargers
Thank you

 

[Lazy Daze]

What do you want to use them for? Just maintaining the batteries? More? How long do you anticipate going between the times that you use the boat? No electricity near you?

 

[Hot Jambalaya]

About a week at a time. No power at the dock. Batteries are new. Just looking to maintain them

 

[Lazy Daze]

Honestly, with just a week or two between uses... there's absolutely nothing to worry about. That't not even close to enough time to be at the point of worry.

However, some reliable brands to look into (there are others)... Battery Minder and Battery Tender. Both are excellent. You don't want to buy some no-name brand - you want an established brand.

 

[JHornsby3]

Years ago I had a few from VW. The manufacturer used them during storage and shipping to maintain the batteries in the cars. Someone needed them more than I did. I picked up a couple from Harbor Freight just to try them. I was suprised at how well they worked. They put out an average of 16v at the plug on the panel. When I used the battery clips the voltage dropped to about 13v. When I used the lighter plug they would put out right at 14.3v. The only problem I ever had was two of the three wouldn't shut down when voltage got to where it needed to be and would cook the batteries. If I kept an eye on them all was good. But if I forgot to remove them every few days, they would boil all the fluid out of the batteries. But this was on a standard group 24 auto battery.

John

 

[wyrman]

I just bought a solar panel, and controller. I didn't go all out and get the expensive stuff, but I'm sure what I got will be fine.
Here's the panel. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TDK1KPF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is the controller I bought. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BHKJSFN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have some #8 to run from the controller to the batteries.
I haven't installed it yet, hopefully will get it done this weekend. Mine's just going to be used when we go camping for a week at a time without power.

 

[JHornsby3]

When we would go out deep boondocking, we I had picked up a Coleman set up made by Sunforce over at Camping World. 100w set up with everything for $100 on sale. We stayed out for three weeks one time. For a cheap set up, it worked great. Only problem we have had was when a Raven dropped something hard on one of the panels. Watched it fall and hit the edge of the panel and crack it. Panel still puts out power. But I don't trust it to last out in the sun.

These new flexible panels are pretty awesome. Getting more power from smaller packages. Might need to look into some of these newer ones when we install them on the boat.

 

[Hot Jambalaya]

Thank you all for the great information!!!

 

[bfernald0]

Hi
Can anyone give me some advise on solar powered battery chargers
Thank you

I have two of these on my 340. Put them up on the bimini.in good sun they put out about 12 amps. I've had them for about 4 years now. More expensive but a terrific product.


ACOPOWER 120W Portable Solar Panel Kits, 12V