Since the boat will be spending most of her time with me without mains power, I'm considering how I will keep the batteries fully charged and, in addition, run some form of ventilation/dehumidifying.
I can't any mention of solar panels in the forum for the last 5 years or so so I wondered what folk are using.
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MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Hi, Mike,
There was a discussion on solar powered vents last year in the Modifications Forum which you might find useful.
There are loads of marine solar powered 'trickle chargers' available on the market at a price. I use a car portable battery booster to kick life into my battery if I have left it for too long. Usually first trip out after the winter. Once started, the motor charges the battery.
Good Sailing
Simon Armitage
Sowenna (26M)
I find a small solar panel is useful when the boat is unattended to keep the battery from degrading, but as Simon noted, you're usually doing enough motoring to keep the battery(s) charged when using the boat.
A solar panel big enough to run anything other than LED lights for long periods would probably sink a Mac!
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
A solar panel will only ever be a trickle charge top up but they do combat premature battery death.
Lead Acid batteries hate being left discharged even partly. Far better to 'use then charge' rather than 'charge then use' i.e. they need to spend as little time as possible before being recharged. It can make years of difference to the life.
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
Thanks Dave, that's good to know, I'm only planning on using it to top up the batteries - it's a high quality system apparently with good batteries so...
The boat has a full cover so I may get another panel to put on the outside during the winter.
Also I'm guessing the best location is the for'ard hatch; any comments on this?
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I have a small panel I currently leave on top of the companionway hatch. I've attached my calcs for it. It's only a 16W panel so it won't keep the batteries fully charged all the time but it helps.
Dave.
Solar load balance v0.4
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
Thanks Dave, how does the wiring work out bearing mind the movement of the hatch cover?
I like the idea over for'ard hatch due to shorter wiring run.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
At the moment it's just on a flying cable and I put the panel in place when I lock up.
My plan (when I get that far down my ever growing list) is to fit a flexible conduit to the underside of the hatch and hinge the panel so that it stows away underneath the hatch and folds out on top of the hatch.
Don't worry too much about the length of wiring run. The current from any reasonable sized solar panel is small so voltage drop is not much of an issue.
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
Thanks Dave, sounds like a good one to photograph and write up.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Has anyone fitted a panel to the for'ard hatch?
I'd be interested to hear about it.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
I would be wary of a permanent fitting, if that's what you're thinking. Too easily stepped on when working on the foredeck - either on or off the water. And if the boat is moored or parked facing north you'll have a very poor exposure.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
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