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#1
posted to rec.boats.cruising,rec.boats.building
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Solar Charger
Is there a cheap and easy solar charger available, that I can use to keep the batteries full when I don't use the boat in a while? I just want it to maintain the charge, so that I can be sure to return to full batteries after a while of non-use, and don't have to deal with shore power cable and charger. It needs to be able to sit outside, in the cockpit. There would be no load other than keeping the batteries (two, I think 54 Ah each) topped off. Thanks! |
#2
posted to rec.boats.cruising,rec.boats.building
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Solar Charger
wrote in message oups.com... Is there a cheap and easy solar charger available, that I can use to keep the batteries full when I don't use the boat in a while? I just want it to maintain the charge, so that I can be sure to return to full batteries after a while of non-use, and don't have to deal with shore power cable and charger. It needs to be able to sit outside, in the cockpit. There would be no load other than keeping the batteries (two, I think 54 Ah each) topped off. Thanks! Yah, one of the little 5 amp solar trickle chargers should be able to do that for you. Boatus, Defender, even auto supply stores should carry them. |
#3
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Solar Charger
On Sun, 1 Apr 2007 14:44:17 -0500, "KLC Lewis"
wrote: wrote in message roups.com... Is there a cheap and easy solar charger available, that I can use to keep the batteries full when I don't use the boat in a while? I just want it to maintain the charge, so that I can be sure to return to full batteries after a while of non-use, and don't have to deal with shore power cable and charger. It needs to be able to sit outside, in the cockpit. There would be no load other than keeping the batteries (two, I think 54 Ah each) topped off. Thanks! Yah, one of the little 5 amp solar trickle chargers should be able to do that for you. Boatus, Defender, even auto supply stores should carry them. Little 5 *amp*? |
#4
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Solar Charger
"Goofball_star_dot_etal" wrote in message ... On Sun, 1 Apr 2007 14:44:17 -0500, "KLC Lewis" wrote: wrote in message groups.com... Is there a cheap and easy solar charger available, that I can use to keep the batteries full when I don't use the boat in a while? I just want it to maintain the charge, so that I can be sure to return to full batteries after a while of non-use, and don't have to deal with shore power cable and charger. It needs to be able to sit outside, in the cockpit. There would be no load other than keeping the batteries (two, I think 54 Ah each) topped off. Thanks! Yah, one of the little 5 amp solar trickle chargers should be able to do that for you. Boatus, Defender, even auto supply stores should carry them. Little 5 *amp*? Watt. I meant Watt. |
#5
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Solar Charger
On Sun, 1 Apr 2007 15:33:48 -0500, "KLC Lewis"
wrote: "Goofball_star_dot_etal" wrote in message .. . On Sun, 1 Apr 2007 14:44:17 -0500, "KLC Lewis" wrote: wrote in message egroups.com... Is there a cheap and easy solar charger available, that I can use to keep the batteries full when I don't use the boat in a while? I just want it to maintain the charge, so that I can be sure to return to full batteries after a while of non-use, and don't have to deal with shore power cable and charger. It needs to be able to sit outside, in the cockpit. There would be no load other than keeping the batteries (two, I think 54 Ah each) topped off. Thanks! Yah, one of the little 5 amp solar trickle chargers should be able to do that for you. Boatus, Defender, even auto supply stores should carry them. Little 5 *amp*? Watt. I meant Watt. Watts[sic] a factor of 15 or so between sailors, m'lud. |
#6
posted to rec.boats.cruising,rec.boats.building
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Solar Charger
KLC Lewis wrote:
wrote in message oups.com... Is there a cheap and easy solar charger available, that I can use to keep the batteries full when I don't use the boat in a while? I just want it to maintain the charge, so that I can be sure to return to full batteries after a while of non-use, and don't have to deal with shore power cable and charger. It needs to be able to sit outside, in the cockpit. There would be no load other than keeping the batteries (two, I think 54 Ah each) topped off. Thanks! Yah, one of the little 5 amp solar trickle chargers should be able to do that for you. Boatus, Defender, even auto supply stores should carry them. A 5 amp solar charger isn't little. That's about what I get from an 85 watt panel in full sun. The panel is 42" x 28.5" x 1.4" Maybe you were thinking 5 WATTS |
#7
posted to rec.boats.cruising,rec.boats.building
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Solar Charger
There would be no load other than keeping the batteries (two, I think 54 Ah each) topped off.
Can someone knowledgeable estimate the float current needed to keep these batteries at full charge?? |
#8
posted to rec.boats.cruising,rec.boats.building
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Solar Charger
On 2 Apr 2007 02:20:00 -0700, "
wrote: There would be no load other than keeping the batteries (two, I think 54 Ah each) topped off. Can someone knowledgeable estimate the float current needed to keep these batteries at full charge?? The "Self Discharge" rate for lead acid batteries varies by construction and condition but is commonly quoted at about 40% per year which translates to 3 or 4% per month. In other words, a 54Ah battery needs about 2Ah per month to stay fully charged. Assuming 720 hours per month, an average trickle charge rate of 2 / 720 amps (about 3 milliamps) per battery should do the job. |
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