solar battery charger

[SCW]

I have a 2012 Freedom 275 on a slip from May-Oct. I do not have shore power. A couple times this past year when tinkering around on the boat listening to the stereo the battery that runs stereo runs down (dual batteries). It usually happens if I spend a considerable amount of time or maybe I couple times without running motors. I was wondering if anyone uses a solar charger and if so what size and do I need a controller to go with it.

Thanks

 

[coctober1]

Hello there - Did you ever find an answer to this question? My old boat had a Promariner plug in charger and old slip had shore power. My new 2008 Seafarer has no charger installed nor new slip has power - so I am also looking at solar for dockside music. So far, i believe a 100W, 5Amp kit would keep up w/ a stereo (non amp) power draw. Or that's what I looking at...

 

[Sdfish]

Hi - I've been using solar to keep my batteries topped off in my storage. I just redid my set up with the below panel and controller. I use 1 panel to charge both batteries with SAE quick connects on my battery. I have used this type of set up for over 10 years, my batteries typically last 5-7, I replace them before the go bad.

I don't charge on the water and I do not run anything while charging - this is the set up I use for storage only.

You could also buy 2 small portable solar trickle chargers - much easier and cheaper.

 

[paraglidingbum]

PulseTech

PulseTech

pulsetech.com

I have one of these and it works great.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Hello there - Did you ever find an answer to this question? My old boat had a Promariner plug in charger and old slip had shore power. My new 2008 Seafarer has no charger installed nor new slip has power - so I am also looking at solar for dockside music. So far, i believe a 100W, 5Amp kit would keep up w/ a stereo (non amp) power draw. Or that's what I looking at...

I have no shore power too and boat is on a lip for almost year around
Ex owner gave me two 170W Ecoworthy flexible solar panels to install but i have not installed them yet.
I bought a Victron solar charger and the cables and as soon it's fresher i will install them and go over the whole electrical system and plan to replace the house battery with the biggest LiFePo i can fit.

Take the measures to figure out what size you can fit and take the biggest ones, the price difference is usually not a lot.
If you should replace the flooded with LiFePo you will have about the double of usable Ah than wet ones with half of the weight.

When i am on my boat i can hear music with a Fusion Amp and the MFD's on for at least 4 hours and the hard wired house and starboard 100Ah batteries still crank the starboard engine.

Regarding the charger shown in the Amazon photo above, i have the same but without display and i consider it as a cheap, not very good charger and suggest to spend a bit more and get a serious solar charger. The Victron i have has Bluetooth and a app who show battery status, charging state and amps what is always nice to know.

Chris

 

[Sdfish]

agree on the charger, it is not meant for on the water use. I have it enclosed in a box. That said, they system has served me well for storage on the hard.